Not too many years ago, car owners expected to get about 30,000 miles out of a set of spark plugs. Today, with advances in automotive design, 100,000 miles or more is not uncommon.

Spark plugs are an essential part of a combustion engine found in most automobiles. They are designed to fire an arc of electricity across two contact points. That arc initiates an explosion of compacted air and fuel particles. The explosion forces the piston down from its high point in the cylinder causing the crankshaft to turn. That motion is transferred, through the transmission and other parts to the wheels.

When operating under optimal conditions, spark plugs are relatively durable. When a vehicle is not operating at peak performance, often, the lifespan of the spark plugs are shortened. Of course, the shortened lifespan of spark plugs is not the only problem with a poorly operating engine.

There is a long list of problems that could cause a car’s engine to run poorly. These include problems with sensors, fuel injectors, loss of vacuum leak, vapor lock, a faulty onboard computer, improper idle and other settings, a clogged fuel filter, bad plug wires or distributor cap, inadequate oil pressure, worn and/or broken internal engine components and more. Bad spark plugs also fit into this list of potential problems.

The point is that, if you’re car isn’t running properly, it’s time to bring it in to a trusted auto repair shop.

“If your plugs are bad, your car will run poorly,” said Denny Norton, owner of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited. “And if your car isn’t running right, you can foul your spark plugs. Either way, spark plugs are an integral part of your car’s engine.”

When the plugs are fouled, the engine will run rough, use more fuel and have less power. An engine that is running that poorly can also damage a car’s catalytic converter. While spark plugs are relatively inexpensive, catalytic converters are quite expensive.

“The point is that, if your car is running poorly, you need to have someone take a look at it, whether the problem is related to the spark plugs or not,” said Norton. “And if you wait too long, you could cause other problems, too.”