Spark Plugs: The Basics

Light My Fire

If you are a student of automobiles, you are likely familiar with how the gasoline engine works. In case you need a quick reminder, the car combines air with gasoline vapors to make a dense mixture that is then compressed in the engine’s central chamber before it is ignited by a spark plug. The resulting explosion generates force and energy which then powers the car.

If we were to pinpoint the most important element in that cycle, it would be hard to separate one thing’s importance from any other, but the existence of the spark plug means that the gasoline mixture (which is refined to be less dense than diesel, which needs no spark wiring) can combust and actually be used.

What is the spark plug exactly? And how long can it run before it needs to be replaced by the Riverton Master Muffler? Let’s take a look at this little friend and see what we can learn. 

How It Works

Of all the services that our car repair technicians provide, looking after the engine’s four-stroke process and ensuring that every part is working properly is one of the most important. As we detailed above, this cycle is all about injections, compression, combustion, and exhaust, made possible by air, fuel, and a spark plug. 

The spark plug itself is connected to various wiring in the engine that helps to harness electricity. Eventually, the plug will become so charged that the volt will leap out and ignite the air-fuel mixture.

• The spark plug is connected to what’s called an ignition coil, which generates the electricity.
• Once the electricity builds up enough to exceed the density of the gasses in the engine, a small lightning strike will jump between the plug’s coils.
• This lightning strike sets the gasses on fire in a controlled combustion, giving the engine extra power.

Replacing It

Your spark plug, much like an oil change, should be handled every 30,000 miles or so. And, like an oil change, it can be carried out by our professional car repair crew at the Riverton Master Muffler. If you experience any of the following problems, it could be that your spark plugs have given all they have and it’s time to bring your car in for maintenance.

• If your car starts misfiring during acceleration.
• Your car shakes while it’s idle.
• The engine clicks without turning over, or there’s a delay in starting.
• You experience less power even as you step on the accelerator.
• The gas mileage drops significantly.

If you are worried that any one — or a combination — of these things is occurring, drop by our car repair center today. We’ll get your car back out on the road quickly and efficiently.