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September 9, 2022

6 Signs That Your Spark Plugs Need To Be Replaced

Finding it hard to start your car? If you don’t see anything wrong with the battery, and you see your gas level is still high, you most likely have bad spark plugs.

Spark plugs are vital to your auto’s ignition system. They ignite the mixture of air and fuel within the cylinders of your engine, which keeps your engine running.

Faulty spark plugs can prevent the motor from starting. You won’t be able to drive your car if your spark plugs can’t produce the spark needed to start the combustion process.

So, what are the symptoms of bad spark plugs? How will you know that they’ve finally given up on you? Veteran Car Donations points out the signs of failing spark plugs.

  1. Misfiring engine

If your engine hesitates or misfires instead of running smoothly, failing spark plugs are most likely the culprit. When this happens, you’ll notice a flashing check engine light, which means that you have incomplete burning fuel. This can lead to:

  • Power loss and performance issues
  • Engine knock and other major mechanical issues
  • Strange engine noises
  • Carbon deposit buildup
  1. Rough Idling

Good spark plugs produce smooth engine sounds. With defective spark plugs, however, your engine will sound rough while idling. You might also feel vibrations coming from your car.

  1. Lack of acceleration

A car that doesn’t accelerate as quickly as it used may have bad spark plugs that need to be replaced. A spark plug that becomes soiled doesn’t spark effectively, resulting in a vehicle performing and accelerating poorly.

  1. High fuel consumption

Dirty or fouled spark plugs can cause fuel consumption to increase by up to 30%. That’s because they’re not able to burn the fuel effectively in the combustion chamber anymore. Don’t spend more money than usual on gas. Simply replace your spark plugs.

  1. Loud engine

Whether your car has a four- or eight-cylinder engine, you’ll know that one of your spark plugs has malfunctioned by the noise the engine makes. A failing cylinder tends to make strange rattling sounds. 

  1. Hard start

A hard start indicates that your spark plugs are having trouble sparking an ignition. Ignoring the problem can lead to ignition complications, so be sure to replace your spark plugs as soon as you can.

 

Wondering What to Do with Your Old Car? Give it a New and Worthy Purpose!

If you have an old car that needs not just new spark plugs but other vital parts to get it running smoothly again, if getting those new parts will cost you an arm and a leg, perhaps you’d be better off buying a new auto instead. Don’t worry, you can still put your defective automobile to good use. When you hand it over to us at Veteran Car Donations, we’ll use it to give the struggling veterans in your area new opportunities to lead healthier and more productive lives.

Our team will have your car fixed before selling it through an auction. We’ll then hand over the proceeds to reputable military and veteran nonprofit organizations that are in partnership with us. Like us, these IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are dedicated to helping former U.S. service members who are homeless, unable to find decent jobs, and suffering from disabilities and illnesses, including mental health issues.

Our nonprofit partners use the funding we give them to provide deserving veterans with housing and financial assistance, family support, employment and livelihood opportunities, free comprehensive health care and medical treatment, psychotherapy services, educational scholarships, and many other benefits.

The good thing about donating a vehicle to Veteran Car Donations is that you’ll get amply rewarded for doing so. Not only will you get our free pickup and towing service wherever you are in the country, but you’ll also qualify to receive the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season. 

That’s not all. The best reward you’ll get is the immense feeling of satisfaction, knowing that your gift will help improve the living conditions of the disadvantaged and neglected veterans in your community.

You can donate not just your old car but any other type of vehicle that you may have. Check out this list of the different types of vehicles we commonly accept from our donors.

You can check out our FAQs page to get to know our quick and convenient donation process and other important information you might want to know. If you have questions and concerns, feel free to call us through our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 877-594-5822 or write to us here.

 

Bring the Good News to Our Heroes Today!

Why keep an unwanted sedan when you can use it to touch the lives of our hurting heroes? Bring them the good news by donating that vehicle to Veteran Car Donations. Call 877-594-5822 or fill out our secure online donation form now!

Veteran Car Donations operates in all 50 states.

Donate Now

Or call (877) 594-5822!