Are Studded Tires Better Than Winter Tires?
Are studded tires better than snow tires? How do you know what’s best for your vehicle? Discover the pros and cons of studded vs studless winter tires here.
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A spark plug is a device that ignites an air-fuel mixture inside your car’s engine creating the combustion needed to power the vehicle. They are essential for starting your car and keeping the engine running as you drive.
Spark plugs don’t need to be changed often and can go years and many miles before they go bad, but the exact timing depends on the spark plug type and your overall car and engine maintenance. Check your owner’s manual for the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for a better idea of when you should expect to need a spark plug replacement.
There are three main types of spark plugs found in vehicles today. There are two ways to find out what type is in your car: check your owner’s manual or manufacturer recommendations or ask a technician to check the ones that are currently in your car. When replacing your spark plugs, it’s best to go with the type recommended by the manufacturer.
Spark plugs become less effective over time due to wear and combustion issues. Even though they are a small part of the overall structure of your vehicle, when they aren’t working properly, it can be very noticeable. Look out for these signs that your spark plugs need to be replaced:
Engine light comes on: While this can be caused by a number of things, bad spark plugs are one of the easier fixes. If you notice the engine light flashing, have your spark plugs checked as soon as possible.
Hard starting and accelerating: If the spark plugs aren’t providing the spark needed to power the engine, your car is going to struggle to start. If your car struggles when starting or accelerating, there’s a good chance it’s caused by bad spark plugs.
Rough idling: If the engine is making rattling, pinging or knock-like noises while idling, it could be a spark plug issue.
Poor gas mileage: Worn-out spark plugs will increase fuel consumption because they aren’t burning fuel effectively anymore.
Worn-out spark plugs can affect the performance of the engine and its ability to provide power to the wheels. In modern vehicles with knock sensors, if the engine misfires, the computer may change the ignition timing and lower the performance of the engine automatically.
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