Spark Plugs are very tiny, but they pack a whole lot of power within their small stature. They are an important player in helping your car start.
The spark plug forces electricity to arc across a gap and the voltage of the spark can range anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 volts. By powering up the engines pistons and putting them into motion your car can power up and stay powered.
How do the spark plugs actually work you may ask? Starting with fuel in the gas tank the fuel pump moves the fuel through the fuel lines to the fuel injectors. At the same time the cold air intake brings oxygen into the cylinders, the fueled air mixes into a combustible state and then it is brought into the cylinder where the spark plug ignites the fueled air mixture. This activity actually continues to happen thousands of times a minute to keep your car running.
Spark plug health can be directly linked to engine performance. Weak spark plugs can lead to a variety of problems including issues with cold startups and misfires during acceleration. A bad spark plug can also lead to increased fuel intake as well because of its inefficiencies maintaining power in your vehicle.
Spark plugs do tend to have a fairly long life expectancy. It is of course dependent on the make and model of your car or your tendencies with maintenance but they can often last for a good number of years before they need replacing.
Interested in seeing a spark plug in operation? Take a look at this video to watch and learn more about the process:
