Summer driving should be smooth and enjoyable—but when your engine begins to hesitate or stall unexpectedly, it can quickly ruin your trip. One often-overlooked cause of engine trouble, especially in warmer months, is worn or faulty spark plugs. While they’re small and inexpensive parts, spark plugs play a crucial role in engine performance. If they aren’t working properly, your vehicle may stall, misfire, or struggle to start, especially in hot conditions.
We’ll explain how bad spark plugs affect your car, why symptoms often worsen in the summer, and what you can do to keep your engine running smoothly.
Why Spark Plugs Are So Important
Spark plugs are responsible for igniting the air-fuel mixture inside your engine’s cylinders. Every time your engine runs, each spark plug produces a spark at precisely the right moment, creating a controlled explosion that powers the engine. This happens thousands of times per minute, and it has to be consistent.
If even one spark plug misfires, it can throw off the engine’s rhythm, reduce efficiency, and lead to rough idling or stalling. Over time, spark plugs wear down or become fouled with carbon, oil, or fuel residue, especially if other systems aren’t running optimally.
Why Spark Plug Issues Get Worse in Summer
Hot weather puts additional stress on your engine and its components. In the summer, your engine runs hotter, and under-the-hood temperatures rise more quickly. This can magnify small issues, including those related to spark plugs.
Worn plugs may not fire reliably when the engine is very hot, leading to momentary stalls or misfires during idling, accelerating, or even while cruising. Additionally, hot air is less dense than cold air, which can affect the air-fuel ratio. If your plugs are already borderline, they may struggle to perform under these changing conditions.
Drivers often notice engine hesitation or difficulty starting after the car has been parked in the sun or driven for extended periods on hot pavement. If spark plugs are part of the problem, summer heat will only make it worse.
Signs Your Spark Plugs May Be the Culprit
One of the most common signs of spark plug trouble is stalling. You might find your engine cuts out unexpectedly while idling or trying to accelerate from a stop. The engine might also shake or feel unsteady before stalling.
Misfires are another warning sign. You may hear a popping or skipping sound from the engine, and the check engine light might come on. Some misfires are more subtle, causing poor acceleration or rough performance at highway speeds.
Poor fuel economy and sluggish engine response are additional indicators. If the spark plugs aren’t igniting the fuel properly, your engine has to work harder and burns more fuel to compensate.
Sometimes, these issues only appear under specific conditions, such as in high heat or after prolonged driving. That’s why many spark plug problems are noticed more frequently in summer.
Other Causes of Stalling in Hot Weather
While spark plugs are a common cause of summer stalling, other components can also be affected by heat. A failing ignition coil, dirty fuel injectors, or a malfunctioning mass airflow sensor can all lead to similar symptoms. Heat can also cause older or brittle vacuum hoses to expand and crack, creating air leaks that confuse the engine control system.
Even the fuel system can be influenced by temperature. Vapor lock, a rare but real condition in older vehicles, occurs when gasoline vaporizes in the fuel line, interrupting fuel delivery. That said, spark plugs remain one of the simplest and most common culprits to check first.
How to Tell If Spark Plugs Need Replacement
Technicians often recommend replacing spark plugs every 30,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the type of plug and the manufacturer’s recommendation. If you don’t remember the last time yours were replaced, a technician can inspect them during routine service.
During an inspection, they’ll look for worn electrodes, carbon buildup, oil fouling, or unusual coloration. In many cases, replacing spark plugs restores smooth performance and eliminates hesitation or stalling completely.
Even if your spark plugs aren’t the direct cause of stalling, replacing them as part of scheduled maintenance improves performance and fuel efficiency.
Visit Dave’s Automotive in Stockertown, PA, for Spark Plug Service
If your car has been stalling, misfiring, or running rough, especially in the heat, bad spark plugs may be to blame. At Dave’s Automotive in Stockertown, PA, our experienced technicians can quickly diagnose spark plug issues and get your engine firing correctly again.
Whether you’re dealing with a check engine light or just want peace of mind before your next summer road trip, schedule a visit with Dave’s Automotive. We’ll help your engine run cleaner, smoother, and more reliably in any weather.