In Parker CO, the days when you changed your spark plugs every couple of years has ended. Back in the day, spark plugs really did wear out that often. A couple of things are different now…
First, spark plugs are made of better materials that last longer and they're designed better. The second reason why spark plugs used to have to be changed in vehicles and other autos was that they were fouled up with carbon deposits. The deposits built up when fuel wasn't burned completely. With modern engine management controls that just doesn't happen as often.
Engine control computers precisely time when fuel is injected into the engine and when spark plugs fire. Unless something's wrong, spark plugs just don't foul like they used to.
Electricity from the battery goes into a coil that allows power to build up to anywhere from 12,000 to 45,000 volts, depending on the vehicle. The engine management computer tells the coil when to release the power to the spark plug. The electricity travels through a wire from the coil to the spark plug. At the tip of the plug, a spark jumps between two electrodes and ignites the gas in the combustion chamber.
Some engines have more than one coil. Coils wear out and need to be replaced occasionally. Also, spark plug wires can wear out and need to be replaced.
Modern engines used around Parker are delivering more power and better fuel economy all the time. That's largely credited to fast engine control computers, advanced sensors, electronic ignition and improvements to the lowly spark plug.
It'll be interesting to see where future developments take us. One last thought: it's critically important to have the right kind of spark plug for your vehicle. Because engines are designed to run with different internal temperatures, spark plugs have different designs to work properly within those temperatures. Your Parker CO service advisor at Keller's Pro Auto & Diesel will be able to get the right plugs for your vehicle. And he'll be able to advise you on when you should replace your spark plugs as well.
The "spark" made by your spark plug is like a tiny bolt of lightning; it's that powerful. Each time it sparks, a wee bit of material is lost from the electrodes. Over the millions and millions of sparks that happen over the thousands of miles you drive, enough material is lost from the spark plug to affect its performance. That's one reason they need to be replaced. At Keller's Pro Auto & Diesel in Parker we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 303.840.7500 and let us help keep you safely and economically on the road.