According to advice from Cuong Motor Vehicle Maintenance Center (Dinh Cong ward, Hanoi), spark plugs are parts that work in high temperature and pressure environments. During use, spark plug electrodes may gradually wear out, and also stick to soot, causing the ignition ability to decrease over time.
In fact, there are spark plugs that after about 8,000 km still show relatively even electrodes, the car starts and operates normally. However, this does not mean that the spark plug still maintains the ignition capability as when it was new.
When the electrode is worn or sticks to a lot of soot, the electric spark may become weaker and the combustion of the fuel-air mixture is no longer effective. Users may notice some signs such as difficulty starting the car, especially in the morning; unstable gas reaction or unsmooth engine operation.
Poor fuel consumption can also increase fuel consumption. However, the level of impact depends on the overall condition of the engine and fuel supply system, and it is not advisable to just rely on one sign to conclude that the spark plug is broken.
Regarding the replacement time, users should prioritize recommendations in the maintenance handbook of each car model. The 48,000 km milestone is not the time period applied to all types of spark plugs and all car models. Some spark plugs have different lifespans depending on the electrode material and the manufacturer's design.
Therefore, instead of just observing the spark plugs with the naked eye, car owners should check periodically and replace them when the electrodes are worn, the spark plugs show signs of abnormality or reach the recommended time by the manufacturer.
The cost of replacing a spark plug is usually not as high as continuing to use a detail that has reduced ignition capacity. Proper maintenance helps the ignition system work stably and limit problems arising during operation.
