3 Signs That Your Volkswagen Needs New Spark Plugs

Spark plugs play an essential role in starting and maintaining combustion as they provide the spark that ignites the fuel-air mixture. These plugs can wear out due to age or damage, and this will cause various issues, including increased fuel usage and misfiring. As your VW dealer, we want to tell you a few signs you need to visit us for new spark plugs.

3 Signs You Need New Spark Plugs From Your VW Dealer

Misfiring

Combustion requires fuel and air to mix and be ignited precisely so the mixture burns correctly. Correct burning requires the mixture to ignite at carefully spaced intervals, and these mini-explosions produce the energy that moves your vehicle. Healthy spark plugs are the key to efficient burning, as they produce enough power.

Old or dirty plugs cause misfiring, as the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder fails to ignite successfully. If this happens, you’ll feel a loss of engine power, your VW may jerk, and you’ll usually hear strange noises from the engine. If misfiring continues, it can lead to damage to the cylinders and pistons. We’ll examine your plugs and replace any that are damaged.

Increased Fuel Usage

Every driver knows approximately how much fuel they use when they’re behind the wheel. If you have to visit the pump more frequently than you used to, this can be a sign that your plugs are worn. If the fuel-air mixture doesn’t burn correctly, much of the fuel is wasted as it’s dumped out of the cylinder into the exhaust system.

One of the most common signs of wasted fuel is black exhaust smoke, caused by the large quantity of unburnt fuel that enters the exhaust. You’ll also smell a strong fuel in the cabin. Our technicians will examine your engine, diagnose the problem, and repair it.

Check Engine Light

Your VW has numerous sensors, each connected to an important component. These sensors receive instructions from the computer and supply the computer with information on the health and functioning of their connected component. If a sensor identifies a problem with its component’s performance, it informs the computer, and the check engine light will illuminate.

Any issue detected by the sensors is logged by the computer with an error code. If your check engine light illuminates, visit our service department and we’ll investigate. We connect an ODB II diagnostic tool to your computer that reads the error codes, allowing our technicians to hone in on the issue. If the plugs are damaged, we’ll replace them and the warning light will go out.

Replacement plugs are inexpensive and quick to install and will return your engine performance to normal. If you suspect a problem with your plugs, contact us today at Tom Bush Volkswagen in Jacksonville, FL.

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