Car and Truck Ignition Wires
Ignition wires are essential for good engine performance and gas mileage. When drivers replace their spark plugs, they shouldnt forget to replace the wiring as well because its responsible for providing electricity to the spark plugs. Without high-quality wires, drivers can face a number of car troubles.
What are signs that your ignition wires have gone bad?Ignition wires, also known as spark plug wires, send the electrical current to the spark plugs, which creates the ignition needed to start the car. If the current can escape its designated route, it will. This can cause a number of problems. These problems include:
- Hard starts
- Unusually poor fuel mileage
- Power outages
- Engine misfires
- Radio interference
If a car or truck is exhibiting one or more of the aforementioned problems, drivers may want to inspect their spark plug wires. There are several visible signs of damage, such as:
- Cracks and Abrasions: If the plug wires have been rubbing against the surrounding car parts, the resulting friction can cause cracks and abrasions.
- Burns: If they come into contact with the exhaust manifold, they often look singed or burned straight through.
There are several types of plug wiring. The options include:
- Magnetic Resistance Wires: These wires are commonly found in cars manufactured in Asia. At the core of these wires is copper nickel alloy, which has a low resistance to electrical flow. This means that an engine igniting spark can be generated by less current. This copper nickel alloy is arranged in a coiled, winding pattern, which prevents any radio frequency interference.
- Distributed Resistance Wires: These options, which are sometimes referred to as carbon core wires, are made out of a fiberglass-impregnated carbon. While they are more commonly used on older cars, they are used for their high resistance to radio frequency interference. If a car was manufactured with this type of wire, its best for drivers to select distributed resistance wires as a replacement.
- Fixed Resistor Wires: Fixed resistor wires are commonly found in European cars. They are made using one of two metals, steel or copper, and the plug boot contains a resistor. This successfully prevents any radio interference.
To choose spark plug wires appropriate for a specific vehicle, take a look at the ones already installed. Try to find ones as similar as possible in terms of type and length. Drivers should also take a look at the boot; some boots attach using clips while others use thread-on configurations. If drivers dont choose the right spark plug wire to connect to their spark plugs, it can have a big impact on engine performance.