How the Failure of a Spark Plug Affects Your Mini’s Performance

Posted on February 28, 2021 by smikyautomowp

Many car owners do not think about how a spark plug can make such a big difference in how well their MINI will start to work. It is such a small part of the car that it may not seem to hold much weight at all. However, a bad spark plug can lead to many issues with the performance of your MINI, including problems with accelerating and even problems starting the car at all. Some of the different performance issues that may show up in your MINI when the spark plugs do not work include the symptoms below.

Uneven Acceleration

Spark plugs are responsible for igniting the fuel inside the combustion chambers of the engine. The problem happens when they do not work. This will cause a lack of spark, inhibiting the ability of the MINI to accelerate when necessary. In reality, this means that when you step on the gas pedal, you will not find a smooth increase in your driving speed.

Depending on the situation you are in, the inability to accelerate while on the road could be dangerous. For example, if you are working hard to avoid a road hazard or you need to accelerate to merge onto a freeway, it may be dangerous to you and others if you are not able to pick up your speed. If you notice this performance issue, it is time to visit a certified mechanic to help.

Issues with Low Fuel Efficiency

When the spark plugs stop firing regularly, it is going to result in low fuel efficiency. This is not only bad on the wallet, but also on the vehicle as a whole. Over time, this little inconvenience is going to cost you a lot of money. The spark plugs will wear out more and get worse. This is when you may start to notice some other malfunctions and performance issues in the car.

Before you assume that this is caused by the spark plugs, take a look at some of your own driving techniques and see if there are a few things you can correct to get better fuel efficiency along the way. Often it is the driver’s habits that will cause an issue with their fuel efficiency and has nothing to do with the spark plugs. However, there are times when the main issue is the spark plugs and no matter what you do, the fuel efficiency will not get better.

If it seems like you can’t keep the car running very long without having to fill up again on gas, then it is time to visit one of our licensed mechanics to help.

Difficult with Starting Up

Another issue that you may experience when the spark plugs begin to go bad is the startups become difficult. If you get into the car in the morning before it is time to work and you notice the engine is not turning over, a good reason for this could be the spark plugs. This can be hard to work with because your car will not start at all and often leaves you in a bind when you are in a hurry.

St. Matthews Import Will Fix Your Spark Plug Problems

If you are able to start the vehicle at all after you struggle with the engine turning over, then it is important to go to a reputable auto repair shop as soon as possible. This will make it easier for you to get the spark plugs checked by a good mechanic right away before the situation gets worse. If the car will not start or you are worried about the safety of driving the car in its condition, then consider having it towed right to our shop so one of our mechanics can take a look.

At St. Matthews Import in Louisville, KY, we are proud to serve our customers and provide them with the best customer care and mechanical service in the area. Our Hubbards Lane location is open and available for all your automotive service and repair needs. Our certified mechanics are ready to take a look at your MINI and determine whether a bad spark plug is the cause of all your performance issues. Contact us today to get your appointment scheduled. We look forward to meeting you soon.