The spark plugs are one of the most important ignition components in your MINI. All engines need three basic things in order to start. These include a spark, the fuel, and air. The spark plugs provide a spark that causes the necessary combustion to start the engine.

Spark plugs can work for a long time, but eventually they can wear out and will produce less and less electricity for the combustion process. When the spark plugs break, they will cause the engine to not work as efficiently or the engine can refuse to start, leaving you stranded.

This is why it’s so important to recognize spark plug issues. When you suspect your MINI’s spark plugs are not working well, it is important to visit one of our qualified mechanics for a quick, easy, and affordable replacement.

Spark Plug Failure

Spark plugs are designed to connect to the wires of your car through the alternator. This wire will create all of the electricity that is necessary to start the ignition of the car. The ignition will cause a combustion, which is responsible for moving the pistons and making the car move on the road. Basically, the spark plug will start a long chain of events that will turn on the car so you can drive it.

If the spark plugs stop working because they wear down and are not fixed when they break, the combustion inside the cylinder is not as powerful. This will cause the engine to stop performing as well as before.

There are different things that will cause the spark plugs to break down. The good thing is that the spark plugs are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. Car owners should visit their trusted mechanic to take a look at these components and get them fixed as soon as possible.

Your owner’s manual will often recommend that the spark plugs are replaced at 30,000 miles of driving the car. Many agree that number is a little bit low, but you may want to have a mechanic at least inspect them at this time to see how they are doing. Many recommendations say car owners can look to replace the spark plugs once the car has gone 50,000 miles.

How to Spot a Bad Spark Plug

While your spark plugs will often last for a long time, it is possible that they will slowly start to die out on you. A car owner needs to learn how to spot issues with the spark plugs as quickly as possible. Some of the most common signs that the spark plugs are about to burn out include:

• The check engine light comes on: If the car has a spark plug going bad, it will send out a warning to you through the check engine light. Of course, this can be a sign of many problems, so always take your car in for an inspection when you see this light.
• Poor gas mileage: The spark plug will play a big role in the timing and combustion of fuel and air. So if it stops operating well, the fuel is not able to be used as efficiently as before. You may notice you are at the gas pump more than usual.
• Running rough: When the spark plug is not able to ignite the air and fuel well, the cylinder will misfire. Any time the engine is not able to fire on all cylinders, it will cause a good deal of vibration through the vehicle. This will often make the car feel shaky and can ruin any smooth ride, even on a flat surface.

Tanner Motors for your MINI

At Tanner Motors, we are happy to provide all the maintenance and repairs that you need on your Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, MINI, and Volvo cars. We are proud to serve the residents of Phoenix, AZ. Call us today to set up your convenient appointment. We look forward to assisting you with all your auto repair needs and earning your repeat business.