It’s never a good feeling when your vehicle has trouble starting. Is it the battery? The starter? Maybe it’s the spark plugs?
Yes, those little spark plugs have a large role in starting your Acura. If they’re damaged, you may be stuck looking for a ride home. Here are some ways you can identify damaged spark plugs in your Acura, and how you can tell when your spark plugs need to be replaced.
How Spark Plugs Work
Spark plugs are small electrical devices that create the electric spark needed to ignite the mixture of gasoline and air in the combustion chamber of your Acura’s engine. Spark plugs give your vehicle the spark needed to get the engine’s pistons moving, and your Acura running.
Signs of Damaged Spark Plugs
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Trouble Starting the Vehicle: The first sign that there might be issues with your spark plugs is if you’re having a hard time getting your Acura to start. Because spark plugs are key to getting your engine running, worn or clogged spark plugs can make ignition impossible, especially in bad weather.
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Slow Acceleration: Sluggish or inconsistent acceleration is often a tell-tale sign of spark plugs that are on their way out. If your vehicle isn’t accelerating as quickly as it used to, it could be because your spark plugs are worn out and need to be replaced.
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Engine Misfires: If you are having issues with your engine misfiring, look no further than your spark plugs as the likely culprit. A misfire is often the result of at least one worn spark plug. Every time your Acura misfires, it sends raw fuel into the exhaust, damaging the catalytic converter.
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Rough Engine Idle: A loud or otherwise rough engine idle is a sure sign that your spark plugs are worn. If your engine starts making rattling, pinging, or knocking noises, it might be because of your spark plugs.
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Decreased Fuel Economy: This is the first giveaway that many drivers will notice. As your spark plugs wear out, your Acura’s fuel economy starts to decrease because the damaged spark plugs mean your vehicle’s engine has to work harder to perform at its normal level.
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Check Engine Light: Lastly, another sign that your spark plugs might need to be replaced is if your Acura’s check engine dashboard light turns on. This light can indicate any number of problems with your vehicle’s engine and you should ask your mechanic to read the error code.
Replacing Damaged Spark Plugs
Once you’ve diagnosed an issue with your Acura’s spark plugs, the next step is to replace them before they can cause damage to your engine—and before you’re faced with an even more expensive repair!
Finding all the parts you need is easy with Bernardi Parts Acura. We have everything you need to make any repair, using only Acura OEM parts.
Need help finding the right parts for your Acura? Send us a message or give us a call at 800-924-1884.