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Can You Still Drive with Damaged Spark Plugs?

2 Answers

StephanieDella

07/25/25 9:48am

You can continue driving for a short period with damaged spark plugs, but they should be replaced promptly. Methods to determine if spark plugs are damaged: Remove the spark plugs and observe them. The condition of the spark plugs can be judged based on the following appearance colors. A normal spark plug's insulator skirt and electrodes should appear gray-white, gray-yellow, or light brown. A properly functioning spark plug has a reddish-brown insulator skirt, with an electrode gap between 0.8-0.9mm and no signs of electrode burn. If the spark plug is covered with oil or deposits but is not damaged, it can continue to be used after cleaning off the oil and deposits. If the spark plug is severely damaged, showing signs like blistering at the top, black streaks, cracking, or melted electrodes, the cause of the damage should be identified. After troubleshooting, replace the spark plug with a new one. Additionally, if the spark plug appears black as if smoked, it indicates the wrong heat range was selected, the air-fuel mixture is too rich, or there is oil leakage.

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JosiahMarie

08/11/25 7:28pm

I once had a spark plug failure while driving, and whether you can still drive depends on the extent of the damage. If it's just a minor issue, such as one or two spark plugs being worn or dirty, the car might still start, but the engine will shake violently, have weak acceleration, and experience a sharp increase in fuel consumption—driving it feels like it's sick. In such cases, driving a few kilometers to the nearest repair shop might be barely manageable, but it's not recommended. Misfires can cause unburned gasoline to accumulate, damaging the catalytic converter in the exhaust system, which is more expensive to fix. When I was younger, I tried to save money by driving a short distance, only for the car to break down halfway, costing me more in towing fees. Additionally, long-term unresolved spark plug issues can lead to engine carbon buildup or internal damage, even increasing the risk of spontaneous combustion. So my advice is: get it checked as soon as you notice any abnormalities, replace spark plugs regularly as per the maintenance manual, and don’t wait until they fail completely. A car is a companion—take care of it for long-lasting service. Drive safely, and don’t take chances.

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How Often Should a Crane Undergo First-Level Maintenance?

Under normal operating conditions, a crane should undergo first-level maintenance every six months and second-level maintenance every three months. The basic maintenance provided by 4S shops mainly includes the replacement of components such as engine oil, oil filter, air filter, gasoline filter, and pollen filter, as well as the maintenance or replacement of spark plugs, and system inspections and maintenance related to transmission oil, brake fluid, battery, throttle, fuel injector, brake pads, etc. Below are some details about the maintenance items: 1. Engine oil and oil filter: This primarily involves maintenance of the lubrication system, whose main function is to effectively lubricate various components of the car engine to prevent excessive wear. The oil filter's function is to remove various impurities from the engine oil to ensure the normal operation of the lubrication system. The oil filter should be replaced along with the engine oil during an oil change. 2. Air filter: The air filter's role is to filter the air before it enters the cylinder, removing impurities, dust, sand, and other foreign particles. The cleaning and maintenance of the air filter depend on the usage environment. The gasoline filter is generally replaced after driving 20,000-25,000 km. 3. Spark plugs: Spark plugs are consumable parts and should be replaced every 20,000 km.

Is There a Problem If the Car Generator Gets Water Inside?

If the car generator gets water inside but is not in operation, generally there is no problem. Here is some relevant knowledge about car generators: Internal drying is sufficient: The car generator operates at low voltage and will not cause breakdown; once the interior is dried, it can be used. The car generator is the main power source of the vehicle, functioning to supply power to all electrical devices (except the starter) while the engine is running normally, and it also charges the battery. Precautions for driving: Check the rearview mirrors: When turning or changing lanes, always use the turn signals and slow down. Before turning, be sure to check the rearview mirrors; left turns mainly require checking the left rearview mirror, right turns mainly the right rearview mirror, and both left and right turns require checking the interior rearview mirror. Don’t fixate on the front of the car: When driving on clear roads, look straight ahead about 100 meters, not at the immediate front of the car. Depress the clutch: Generally, when decelerating at speeds above 40 km/h, there’s no need to depress the clutch first; wait until the speed drops to about 20 km/h before depressing it. Steering: Turn the wheel slowly for high-speed turns and quickly for low-speed turns.

Should You Cancel Your Appointment for the Subject Two Driving Test if It Rains?

Subject Two Driving Test in the Rain: Do Not Cancel Your Appointment. Driving tests require advance scheduling, making last-minute changes difficult. Generally, tests are not postponed or canceled due to rainy or inclement weather unless there are thunderstorms or other secondary disasters. In such cases, the test center will follow national safety protocols and suspend the exam. Otherwise, the test will proceed as usual in light rain or overcast conditions. If the test center has not issued a suspension notice, candidates must not miss the exam without authorization. Absence will be considered a no-show, resulting in no score for that attempt and the loss of one rescheduling opportunity. Key Tips for Taking the Subject Two Test in the Rain: Wipe the Rearview Mirrors: During the test, you cannot stick your head out of the window and must rely on the rearview mirrors to observe the rear. If it rains, water droplets on the mirrors can obstruct your view, so remember to wipe them dry before starting. Don’t Close the Windows Completely: On rainy days, avoid sealing the windows too tightly, as this can cause fogging inside the car, impairing visibility and judgment. Keep Your Shoe Soles Dry: Before stepping on the pedals, shake off excess water from your shoes outside the car and wipe them on the floor mat to prevent slipping due to wet pedals. Press the Brake Firmly: Wet shoe soles can slip on the brake pedal, so apply more force than usual when braking—but avoid slamming it abruptly. Rainy-Day Driving Test Tips: Turn on the wipers promptly and adjust their speed according to the rain intensity to maintain clear visibility. Drive slower than usual, as wet roads are slippery. Avoid sudden acceleration or hard braking to prevent skidding. When passing through waterlogged areas or under bridges, shift to a low gear, maintain steady throttle, and proceed slowly and smoothly. Do not stop, shift gears, or turn sharply mid-way, as this may stall the car and result in failure. In heavy rain, visibility is poor, and roads are slick. Maintain a safe following distance and use gentle, intermittent braking to control speed and ensure smooth driving. If it rains on the test day and the center has not announced a suspension, you can wait for the rain to ease before arriving. You don’t need to be punctual, as the Subject Two test allows candidates to check in at any time on their scheduled day, as long as they take the test on that day.

What is the speed range for second and third gears?

Second gear is between 20 mph and 35 mph, and third gear is between 35 mph and 45 mph. Shift gears according to the car's speed. Generally, start in first gear, then shift to second gear after driving a few meters; shift to third gear when the speed reaches above 20 mph but below 35 mph; shift to fourth gear when the speed reaches above 35 mph but below 45 mph. Below are methods to avoid stalling: 1. Control the clutch well: Beginners may not handle the clutch well, especially in manual transmission cars. If the clutch is released too slowly, the car may stall. Therefore, when starting, press the clutch firmly with your left foot. 2. Control the throttle well: While pressing the clutch with your left foot, also press the throttle with your right foot to ensure a smoother start. 3. Use the handbrake when starting: Sometimes, beginners may experience the car rolling back when starting, which can cause panic and stalling. In such cases, use the handbrake. Before shifting to start, pull the handbrake tight, then release the clutch halfway, release the handbrake, and press the throttle to prevent rolling back. 4. Avoid driving at high gears with low speed: When driving normally, if the car is in a high gear but moving at a low speed, the engine may start shaking, lose power, and stall. Therefore, beginners should find the right timing to shift gears.

Why Shift to a Lower Gear When Climbing a Slope?

1. Because the lower the gear, the greater the torque output from the drive wheels, resulting in greater traction. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. Climbing a slope: When going uphill, the car is subjected to downward gravity while also needing to overcome road resistance. 2. Power: If the gear is too high, the drive wheels will have insufficient power, naturally requiring the car to shift to a lower gear when climbing. 3. High gear: If the gear is too high, you should shift to a lower gear when climbing a slope. 2. Here are situations where D1, D2, and D3 can be used: 1. When climbing a slope: D1 and D2 can be used when going uphill, especially on steep slopes, manually setting the gear to first or second, similar to driving a manual transmission on a steep slope. Using a lower gear achieves greater torque, making it easier to climb the slope. 2. When overtaking: The advantage of D3 is faster response when overtaking. At a speed of 80 km/h, the gear is usually in 5th or 6th. If you want to overtake quickly, the automatic transmission will gradually shift down from 6th to 5th, then to 4th, and finally to 3rd, a process that takes time.

What's Inside a Used Car Archive Bag?

Used car archive bags contain the vehicle's records, including the vehicle inspection results, vehicle conformity certificate, vehicle invoice, purchase tax payment certificate, vehicle mortgage records, transfer records, and initial records. Each transaction adds a new record. Here are methods to check if a used car has been in an accident: 1. Check the glass production date: Normally, glass isn't replaced, so checking its production date can be revealing. The date is usually in the format of numbers + dots, where numbers represent the year and dots represent the month. 2. Examine the frame's wear: If the car was in a major accident, the frame would show dents or misalignment. 3. Inspect the screws: Look at the screws on the hood, radiator support, and doors. If any of these screws show abnormalities, it's likely the car was in a major accident. 4. Check maintenance records: Visit a 4S shop to review maintenance records. Any accident repairs done at a 4S shop would be systematically recorded.

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