Why Are Spark Plugs So Important To Your Engine?

Why Are Spark Plugs So Important To Your Engine?

Most people don't hesitate about their spark plugs, but these small parts play an incredibly important role in your car. In fact, without a working spark plug, your car may not run at all. In this blog, our car repair experts will carefully study why your spark plugs are so important, including what they do and how to know when to replace them.

What is the role of spark plugs?

Your engine is a pretty amazing machine, designed to convert energy (gasoline) into actual movement. But how does it do it? The answer is the so-called internal combustion principle. In order to convert the fuel in the car from potential energy to kinetic energy, your engine needs to find a way to release the fuel, and this is achieved through the combustion process.

The engine cycle is the cause of this process. In your engine cycle, your valve fills your cylinder with a mixture of air and fuel, which is highly explosive. When the piston in the engine moves upward, it compresses the mixture into a very small space, thereby generating more potential energy. At the apex of this compression, your engine ignites the mixture with a small spark, creating an explosion, forcing the piston down, turning the engine's crankshaft, generating power, and driving your car forward.

Your spark plug is what provides a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture, create an explosion, and make your engine generate power. These small and simple plugs create an arc on two wires that are not in contact but are close enough that the electricity can skip the gap between them. Your spark plugs, along with the electrical and timing devices that power them, are all part of your ignition system.

Generally speaking, your spark plugs are made of very durable materials that can withstand millions of explosions before they wear out or need to be replaced. But the fact is that over time, explosions and corrosion can lead to smaller or weaker sparks, which reduces the efficiency of the engine and can cause other problems, including ignition failure.

Spark Plug

When does the spark plug need to be replaced?

Today, most manufacturers install "extended life" spark plugs in their factories. They are only slightly more expensive than standard plugs, and they sound really good to consumers. The extended-life spark plugs are usually rated for a life of about 100,000 miles. When the service life of these plugs is nearing the end, the gap between the two leads begins to increase, resulting in reduced efficiency and the possibility of ignition failure. If your plug is corroded to the point of breaking, it may cause serious damage to the inside of your engine cylinder, which will lead to an extremely expensive repair.

Please be sure to consult your owner's manual to find out how long your spark plug has a rated service life. Never let your spark plug exceed the rated mileage.

How to choose a new spark plug

When choosing a new spark plug, make sure that the spark plug you choose is suitable for your vehicle. Most auto parts stores can do this for you, and you will have many different models to choose from. Products using precious metals such as platinum or iridium are generally more expensive than products using common metals such as copper, but their wear resistance is generally much better.

We are spark plug manufacturers. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in our products.