Rough Idle or Sluggish Start? Look at Your Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are small, but they play an enormous role in how your engine runs. Every time your engine fires, spark plugs ignite the fuel and air mixture that powers your vehicle, and they do it thousands of times a minute. When they wear out, the effects show up in ways that many Franklin drivers do not immediately connect to such a tiny part.

Worn or fouled spark plugs can cause a rough idle, hesitation or stumbling when you accelerate, harder starting, reduced fuel economy, and even a check engine light from misfires. You might notice your car just does not feel as smooth or responsive as it used to. Because spark plugs wear gradually, the decline is easy to get used to until a fresh set reminds you how your engine is supposed to run.

Different vehicles use different types of spark plugs with very different service intervals, ranging from around thirty thousand miles to over one hundred thousand miles for some long-life plugs. Using the correct plug and replacing them on schedule is important for performance and efficiency.

At Franklin Automotive, our technicians can inspect your spark plugs and ignition components, identify worn parts, and install the correct plugs for your specific engine. A proper tune-up often restores lost power and smooths out the ride noticeably. If your car has been running rough, starting hard, or drinking more fuel than usual, bring it to our Franklin shop and let us check the ignition system that keeps everything firing right.