What is a Spark Plug?

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As much as you love your vehicle’s flashy paint and seat warmers, those aren’t the most important parts of it. What really matters is what makes it…well…move. Ever wonder what makes your car’s engine run? (And why sometimes it doesn’t?) One big part of what makes your car go is called a spark plug. What is it and why should you know about it? Read on.

What is a spark plug?

A spark plug is a little metal contraption in your vehicle that delivers an electrical current from your ignition system to your engine. The “spark” it creates is what provides the engine with combustion, which is what starts the engine. It also burns the air/fuel mixture, so your car can keep running smoothly until you shut it off.

What are the signs of a bad spark plug?

How your spark plug performs is directly correlated to how well your engine runs. If your vehicle is very slow to accelerate, that could mean a problem with your spark plug. Difficulty starting the engine can be a sign of a worn spark plug as well. Your spark plug is also responsible for burning fuel efficiently, so if you find your fuel economy is poor, you may want to get your spark plugs checked out. These problems should be addressed as soon as possible to make sure your vehicle keeps running smoothly.

The good news is that if there is a problem with your spark plug, most auto shops are able to replace it fairly easily and quickly. To keep your car safe when you’re ready to get back on the road, get a MA car insurance quote with MAPFRE or contact an independent insurance agent near you.

Please Note: This is meant only to provide general information about commonly available insurance coverages. Except as expressly noted, this content is not intended to describe any specific coverage offered by MAPFRE Insurance. No coverage is provided, bound or guaranteed by this article. Available coverages, credits and discounts vary from state to state and are subject to eligibility criteria and policy terms/conditions, which will control in the event of conflict between this article and your insurance policy. For information about your policy, please review your individual policy contract and speak with your insurance representative.

MAPFRE Insurance® is a brand and service mark of MAPFRE U.S.A. Corp. and its affiliates, American Commerce Insurance Company^SM (Cal. COA 4928-8); Citation Insurance Company^SM; The Commerce Insurance Company^SM; Commerce West Insurance Company^SM (Cal. COA 1372-2); and MAPFRE Insurance Company^SM (Cal. COA 3039-5). Not all products available in all states.

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