How to Determine if a Car's Spark Plugs Need Replacement

[RemingtonRose]

Methods to determine if a car's spark plugs need replacement: 1. Increased fuel consumption, where fuel cannot be fully burned, resulting in abnormally high fuel usage; 2. The car frequently stalls irregularly at idle or has difficulty restarting; 3. Sluggish acceleration and insufficient power; 4. The air-fuel mixture in the engine cannot be fully burned, leading to excessive exhaust emissions. Spark plugs are a key component in a car engine's ignition system. Every gasoline engine has spark plugs, with one per cylinder. Some high-performance gasoline engines even have two spark plugs per cylinder.

[LeKeira]

As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I think the symptoms indicating it's time to change spark plugs are quite obvious: the car shakes like sitting on a massage chair at idle, lacks power and gasps for breath during acceleration, and fuel consumption inexplicably increases. If there's sluggish ignition or crackling noises during cold starts, you should be alert. Don't wait until the engine light comes on to take action. Check around 30,000 kilometers—you can simply pull out a spark plug to see if the electrodes are eroded or covered in oil deposits. After replacing them, the car will immediately run much smoother. Pay attention to these small signals while driving to avoid the embarrassment of breaking down and extra expenses.

[DelLandon]

I rely on my car for daily commuting and have noticed the significant risk of spark plug aging. The most obvious sign is the steering wheel vibrating so much at red lights that it makes my hands numb, along with sluggish acceleration and increased fuel consumption. Listen for rough and impatient engine sounds; if the power doesn't keep up during sudden acceleration, it's another red flag. During maintenance, it's safer to have a mechanic test it with professional tools—don't wait until the engine stalls to panic. Timely replacement protects the entire ignition system, saving you from costly repairs. Safe driving is the top priority.

[VonHolden]

Shortly after learning to drive, I experienced a situation where the spark plugs failed. At the time, the car often stalled and wouldn't start, and I thought it was a technical issue. A friend reminded me that if the engine shakes or the malfunction indicator light flashes, it's time to check. Usually, it's simple and worry-free to replace them when the mileage reaches 30,000 kilometers. Smooth starts and normal fuel consumption are good signs.