Under what circumstances does the new Cruze need to replace spark plugs?

[OIsabelle]

The specific situations when the new Cruze needs to replace spark plugs: 1. Weak acceleration: If the engine exhibits abnormal shaking during acceleration, it might be due to degraded spark plug performance. Poor spark plug performance can significantly reduce the engine's ignition efficiency, leading to weak acceleration. 2. Idle shaking: If the car engine shakes noticeably during idle operation, it could indicate a problem with the spark plugs, which should be inspected or replaced promptly. This issue might also be caused by aging engine mounts or excessive carbon buildup in the intake manifold. 3. Difficulty starting: If the car engine struggles to start, it points to an issue with the ignition system, possibly faulty spark plugs. If the engine stalls without reason, it might indicate that more than two cylinders have stopped working. Steps for replacing spark plugs: Open the hood, lift the engine's plastic cover, and remove the high-voltage ignition wires. Mark each cylinder's position to avoid confusion. Use a spark plug socket to remove the spark plugs one by one. While removing them, check for external debris like leaves or dust and ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. Place the new spark plugs into the spark plug holes, hand-tighten them a few turns, and then use the socket to tighten them further. Reinstall the high-voltage ignition wires in the correct firing order and secure the cover.

[McBrooklyn]

I've been driving this new Cruze for over three years and just had the spark plugs replaced the other day. The most obvious symptom was the difficulty in cold starts—the engine would crank for several seconds before firing up in the morning. When idling at a red light with the AC on, the steering wheel would vibrate along with the engine, as if sitting on a massage chair. Overtaking on the highway also felt sluggish, requiring much harder pedal pressure compared to before. The mechanic said this was likely due to worn spark plug electrodes, causing insufficient ignition energy. He recommended checking them every 40,000 km, or even every 30,000 km for frequent city stop-and-go traffic, otherwise fuel consumption would keep rising and could even damage the catalytic converter in severe cases. Don't skimp on this small maintenance cost—a set of spark plugs costs just over a hundred bucks, far cheaper than engine repairs.

[SanXavier]

My friend has worked in a repair shop for many years, and he said there are three main points to check when replacing the spark plugs on a new Cruze. First, check if the engine throws a fault code, with P0300 random misfire being the most common. Second, remove and inspect the electrode gap—the standard for the original iridium spark plugs is 0.8 mm, and they should be replaced if worn to 1.3 mm. Third, test the ignition coil; if the coil is fine but the misfire persists, it's likely due to aged spark plugs. While driving, pay attention to symptoms like the engine sounding muffled at RPMs above 2000 or black smoke from the exhaust pipe, as these are signs of poor ignition. It's recommended to proactively replace them every 40,000 km or two years, especially in northern regions using ethanol-blended gasoline—replace them even sooner. Never wait until cylinder scoring occurs, as an engine overhaul would cost at least five or six thousand yuan.

[KathrynLynn]

Checking the maintenance manual for the new Cruze, the manufacturer recommends replacing the spark plugs every 60,000 kilometers. However, in actual usage, it's common to experience delayed starts and idle shaking after three to four years of driving. Once, during a long-distance trip, the car jerked like riding a horse when accelerating, and the repair shop detected a misfire in the fourth cylinder. The removed spark plug had a cracked ceramic body, and the metal electrode was burnt black. Since then, during every 30,000-kilometer maintenance, I've asked the mechanic to check the electrode color. A white color indicates a lean fuel mixture, while black carbon buildup is a sign of burning oil. Nowadays, with regular maintenance, severe electrode corrosion is rare, but for cars using poor-quality fuel or frequently driven short distances, replacing them earlier is safer. Genuine parts cost only around a hundred yuan, which is much more practical than fuel additives.