This article was co-authored by Hovig Manouchekian and by How.com.vn staff writer, Hunter Rising. Hovig Manouchekian is an Auto Repair and Design Specialist and the Manager of Funk Brothers Auto, a family-owned business operated since 1925. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Hovig specializes in the process of auto repair and maintenance. He is also very knowledgeable in common automotive issues and needs including engine repair, battery replacement, and windshield accessory and maintenance. Hovig's knowledge and hard work have contributed to Funk Brothers Auto winning Angie's List Super Service Award for five consecutive years.
There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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Has your vehicle’s performance suddenly had a drastic change? Engine sputtering or not even running at all? Before you spend money on a mechanic, see if a bad spark plug could be the culprit—and replacing one is a repair you can do on your own. There’s no one sure sign that you have a bad spark plug, so we’ve gathered all the common symptoms in one place so it’s easy to diagnose the problem. Keep reading to see if a simple spark plug swap can keep your vehicle and engine at their peak performance.
Things You Should Know
- Having trouble starting your vehicle is one of the main signs of a bad spark plug.
- Listen for rattling, sputtering, or metallic pings that signal when a spark plug is making your engine misfire.
- Check if your gas mileage has gotten worse since a bad spark plug won’t burn fuel as efficiently.
- Take out your spark plugs to check if the electrodes are worn down or covered in residue.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Spark plugs can usually last up to 100,000 miles (160,000 km), but you may need to replace them sooner if you notice any issues.[11] Check your vehicle’s manual to see when it recommends you change the spark plugs.[12]Thanks
Warnings
- Turn off your vehicle and wait for the engine to cool down before removing or replacing spark plugs so you don’t accidentally cause any damage.[13]Thanks
- If you tried replacing your spark plugs but you’re still having problems with your vehicle, take it to a mechanic to figure out what’s wrong.Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about spark plugs, check out our in-depth interview with Hovig Manouchekian.
References
- ↑ https://www.themechanicdoctor.com/how-to-diagnose-problems-if-your-car-wont-start/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H1Y2mMkn_aw?t=82
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H1Y2mMkn_aw?t=102
- ↑ https://www.themechanicdoctor.com/whats-hows-spark-plugs/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/m_ZsWQ_WXNo?t=137
- ↑ https://youtu.be/RzQ4AiedQfQ?t=96
- ↑ https://youtu.be/4gsX3gwnXK4?t=89
- ↑ https://youtu.be/RzQ4AiedQfQ?t=41
- ↑ https://youtu.be/4gsX3gwnXK4?t=128
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