Every time someone talks about spark plugs, there are always people patting their chests and saying, ‘I haven’t replaced the spark plugs in my car for 100000 kilometers, and it still runs smoothly!’ But many people are not sure. Although it seems fine on the surface, most of the power has already been stolen, it’s just that you have become accustomed to the rhythm of the car turning into flesh. Do you really think there won’t be any problems with the car without replacing the spark plug? Perhaps you are already paying the price for your ignorance.
1. Spark plugs, are they really that amazing?
I slapped my face and said, ‘No matter how awesome the spark plug is, it’s just a match for the cylinder.’. What kind of iridium or platinum is so flashy, it’s just that the material is more durable and has a longer lifespan, but it can make the car take off? That’s all a gimmick of the car repair shop. A gasoline car can run because the mixture in the cylinder ignites quickly and accurately. And what a spark plug can do, in other words, is to throw a ball of electric spark into the cylinder, ignite it, ignite the mixture, and make the piston move. Can outsiders tell the difference between lighting firecrackers with matches and lighters? You can replace the spark plug yourself, as long as it can be lit, the car won’t suddenly become a racing car just because of using the “expensive guy” no matter how much you drive it. Those spark plugs that were described by the master as dazzling ultimately have to be ignited obediently.
2. How did the power slowly dissipate?
Do you feel that the decline in power is a one size fits all approach? wrong. The aging of spark plugs is not a big explosion, it’s a typical case of boiling a frog in warm water without feeling anything for a day. By the time you remember, the car can no longer run. The old spark plug ignites softly, the ignition speed is slow, the mixture is not strong when ignited, and sometimes the car starts to feel stunned when a foot of oil falls off. What’s even more ruthless is that this change is very secretive, and over the next three to five years, you will naturally consider the acceleration of flesh and blood as a normal phenomenon. Even some people may comfort themselves, ‘Hey, it’s normal to be old and weak in the car.’ However, test data shows that after the spark plug ages, fuel consumption can directly increase by 15%, and acceleration takes two seconds to complete. You’re still complaining about your feet being too light, but the car itself can’t run fast anymore.
3. Is it true or false that some people say iridium spark plugs improve power?
I heard someone replace the iridium spark plug and excitedly said that the throttle was light and the power was whistling. I want to ask, ‘How many years have you been using that set of spark plugs before?’ Actually, the vast majority of this feeling is because the old spark plugs are about to retire, and anyone can revive them. As long as you replace the old and new spark plugs that have long been worn out, even with the most ordinary model, the experience will be like a new car. As for the expensive iridium spark plugs, ultimately they are just extending the maintenance cycle. Expensive ones only last a little longer, it’s not really a “speed-up artifact”.
4. Do we have to replace everything or only repair the damaged one?
Do you think if a spark plug is broken, it needs to be replaced? Wrong, the master’s asking you four to exchange together is not really deceiving. Spark plugs are like a choir, to sing, they must be neat and uniform. The combination of old and new spark plugs, Yamaha piano and home organ playing together, naturally resulted in disharmony. The new spark plug has strong power, while the old spark plug lags behind. The engine’s rhythm is still unstable, and it feels like it’s shaking when moving. It may also strain parts. Moreover, most of the time, they are launched and retired in batches. Today there is a strike, and tomorrow the other three will queue up to take up their posts and ‘lie flat’. Only those who have just replaced four and suddenly one of them breaks down can choose to replace only one, otherwise you won’t be able to save a few yuan and will lose the entire power supply.
5. How long is it reliable to replace spark plugs?
The vehicle maintenance manual often states a replacement cycle of 20000 kilometers, which scares many car owners into paying early. In fact, these data were measured based on the worst-case road conditions. If you don’t get stuck in the city every day, press the accelerator hard, and constantly tug of war, then the lifespan of spark plugs is generally quite long. Iridium spark plugs can even withstand up to 80000 kilometers without any problem. But if you drive with a bit of gas and frequently press the gas pedal, you have to check obediently at 30000 kilometers to see if there is any burning, bald, or electrode shrinkage. Don’t be afraid of trouble, take a look and feel at ease.
6.How to determine if the spark plug is about to fail?
To know if spark plugs should be retired, you need to keep a close eye on a few signals: starting a cold car for a long time before lighting it up, waiting for a red light when the steering wheel shakes and makes you doubt your life, stepping on the gas pedal when going uphill, feeling the car coughing and panting heavily. When encountering these phenomena, don’t think it’s a coincidence, it’s highly likely that spark plugs are causing trouble. Don’t be shy if you don’t know how to do it yourself. Just ask your master to take it down and show it to you. If the electrode is dark and the gap is absurdly large, simply adding new products is more practical than any upgrade.
7.Where is the trump card of the routine hidden?
Many car dealerships like to exaggerate the function of spark plugs, and if you don’t understand the industry, you can easily be marked up by “tricks”. In fact, what really catches you off guard is your own perception: you are deceived by the slow loss of power, don’t feel any lag, and think that expensive spark plugs=magical power. Actually, it’s all about self comfort. Be smart, next time you come to the store for maintenance, ask more and look at the actual product. Not afraid to spend too much money, but afraid to buy lessons with money. No one’s money is easy to earn, so you still need to use your brain to keep a car. Don’t get caught up in mysticism. Scientific maintenance, frequent replacement and renewal, not only fuel-efficient, but also reassuring.
Post time: Aug-27-2025