Tune Up Service: Ignition System and Spark Plugs

When your vehicle is properly tuned, the ignition system, fuel system, emission system and computer system all work together in perfect harmony. This results in peak combustion chamber efficiency, improving performance, saving you money at the gas pump and making sure your car is emitting a minimal amount of pollutants.

Ignition System

The ignition system is responsible for producing and transferring the spark energy to the combustion chamber at the correct time.

Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are installed in the cylinder head and deliver spark current to the combustion chamber.

Symptoms of malfunctioning spark plugs include:

  • Hard starting
  • Lack of power
  • Misfiring or backfiring
  • High emissions
  • Reduced fuel economy

Ignition Coils

Produce high voltage spark energy sufficient to properly ignite the air/fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber.  The On-Board computer or ignition module typically controls ignition coils.

Symptoms of malfunctioning ignition coils include:

  • No start
  • Hard starting
  • Misfire under a load
  • High emissions

Distributor Cap and Rotor

The distributor cap is the connection point for all spark plug wires.  Distributor type ignitions systems (DI) also have a distributor rotor.  The rotor spins inside the cap distributing the spark current to each spark plug wire.  Electronic Ignition (EI) systems do not have distributors, but instead have multiple ignition coils.

Symptoms of a malfunctioning distributor:

  • Hard or no-start conditions
  • Misfiring or backfiring
  • Poor acceleration
  • Stalling

Ignition Wires

Provides a conductive path for the spark current from the distributor cap or coil to the spark plugs.  Contain the spark energy.

Symptoms of malfunctioning ignition wires include:

  • Hard starting
  • Misfiring or backfiring
  • Misfire under a load
  • High emissions

Benefits of a Properly Maintained Ignition System

  • Quick starting
  • Increased performance
  • Increased fuel economy
  • Lower emissions
  • Cure specific drive-ability concern (requires diagnosis, see manager for details)
  • Conserves spark energy for the combustion chamber
  • Regulates spark energy

What does a tune up include?

  • Tune-up verification
  • Replacement of spark plugs
  • Analysis of emission levels
  • Timing/idle speed adjustment (if adjustable)
  • Complete maintenance inspection

This service is advised based on your manufacturer’s recommendations, or as needed as determined by our inspection and based on industry standards.