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July, 2019
Can Spark Plugs Affect MPG?
Spark plugs are vital for engine performance. Without the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the engine’s internal combustion chamber, the engine cannot generate any power. To enable consistent combustion and optimal MPG, high-quality spark plugs are essential.
Worn spark plugs drastically reduce fuel economy and increase driver costs. Here’s how damaged spark plugs affect MPG.
Why Do Worn Spark Plugs Affect MPG?
All spark plugs become less efficient – and less fuel efficient – over time.
Each cylinder contains an individual spark plug that ignites the air-fuel mixture in that spark plug. If one spark plug fails, the whole vehicle won’t necessarily stall to a halt. However, you will notice loss of engine power and weaker acceleration, both of which will over-consume fuel and reduce your MPG.
Over time, spark plugs become worn because of the intense heat and pressure in the combustion engine. As the spark plugs wear, the spark plug gaps widen, also weakening MPG. This is because the wider the spark plug gap, the more voltage is required to arch between the electrodes.
The smoother the combustion process, the lower the demand for engine power and the lower the demand for fuel. It is for this reason that you need quality spark plugs and a consistent car service schedule.
The National Institute for Automotive Services reports that worn spark plugs can decrease fuel economy by as much as 30%.
%
Worn spark plugs can decrease fuel economy by up to
Replace Spark Plugs to Improve MPG and the Environment
When you service your spark plugs, replacing them when necessary, not only will you maximise your MPG (saving costs), but you will also minimise your car’s environmental impact. Good-condition spark plugs enable vehicles to release fewer emissions into the atmosphere.
Installing incorrect spark plugs for your engine also affects MPG and causes extreme damage. Often, carbon deposit will collect around the spark plugs because the engine is struggling to ignite, burning huge amounts of fuel to no avail.
To ensure you find the right spark plugs for your vehicle, enter your number plate into our car-lookup tool to find all the spark plugs that you could use.
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