What happens if spark plugs are not replaced for a long time?

[Cooper]

The effects of not replacing spark plugs for a long time include: 1. Increased fuel consumption and loss of vehicle power; 2. Difficulty in starting the car, with severe shaking occurring during startup; 3. Damage to the car's catalytic converter, leading to excessive exhaust emissions. The functions of spark plugs are: 1. To introduce the high voltage electricity generated by the ignition coil into the engine cylinder; 2. To generate sparks between the spark plug electrode gaps to ignite the air-fuel mixture, ensuring normal engine operation. The types of spark plugs include: 1. Standard spark plugs; 2. Insulator projection spark plugs; 3. Electrode spark plugs; 4. Seat-type spark plugs; 5. Pole-type spark plugs; 6. Surface gap spark plugs.

[LaAshlyn]

I kept putting off changing the spark plugs, and after driving nearly 50,000 kilometers, the car gradually required multiple attempts to start. At idle, the engine always felt like it was shaking, as if being tossed around by the wind. Acceleration became sluggish, and climbing hills was particularly strenuous. Fuel consumption skyrocketed alarmingly—a full tank could run out over 100 kilometers sooner, emptying my wallet. Later, during an inspection, I found the spark plug heads covered in black carbon deposits, the electrodes worn flat, and the gap too wide to ignite properly. Experts said this would affect the combustion of the air-fuel mixture, and over time, the engine would suffer severe carbon buildup, potentially damaging the fuel injectors or even the catalytic converter. After replacing the spark plugs, the car ran smoothly again, and fuel consumption returned to normal. Don’t underestimate this—it’s like the car’s pulse timer; when it ages, everything goes haywire. It’s recommended to replace them regularly according to the manual, usually every 30,000 to 50,000 kilometers, to avoid a lot of headaches.

[Kathy]

As a frugal person, I thought I could save money by skimping on small parts like spark plugs, but it turned out to be a false economy. After delaying the replacement for too long, the car became painfully slow to start, and there was always a jerky sensation during acceleration, as if something was stuck. Fuel consumption increased significantly, costing me dozens of dollars more in gas each month—over a year, that could add up to the price of several new sets of spark plugs. Inaccurate ignition leads to incomplete fuel combustion, reducing engine efficiency and wasting resources. Spark plugs come in copper, platinum, and iridium materials, with copper-core ones lasting about 20,000–30,000 kilometers and platinum ones lasting longer. Timely replacement helps maintain the car’s fuel efficiency and reduces repair costs. Other benefits include less engine vibration and more reliable power. If left unchanged, excessive carbon buildup could clog the system and cause bigger failures. The money saved isn’t enough to cover the extra fuel expenses—replace them when needed and don’t push your luck.

[DelAugust]

After driving for over a decade, I clearly noticed performance degradation due to worn-out spark plugs. The car felt sluggish during acceleration, like pushing a boulder when stepping on the gas. High-speed acceleration lacked power, accompanied by rough engine noise and slight vibrations. Misfiring caused intermittent stalling, and acceleration felt weak. Carbon buildup on the spark plugs weakened the spark, leading to incomplete combustion and increased fuel consumption. After replacing them regularly, the responsiveness became lightning-fast, bringing back the joy of driving. Combined with simple maintenance, the car can run longer and stay healthier.