Ignition coils are tough, durable engine components that you may only need to replace once or twice during the life of your car. But when an ignition coil finally begins to malfunction, your engine’s performance will suffer, and you’ll soon notice the problems laid out below. It’s best to replace a faulty ignition coil promptly at Priority Toyota Chesapeake before it leads to more expensive repair jobs in other parts of your car.
You Can’t Accelerate as Quickly
An engine with a failing ignition coil will rapidly lose a portion of its power. This happens because the cylinder with the bad coil won’t be able to fire consistently.
You’ll find your acceleration becomes sluggish, which can be dangerous when crossing intersections or overtaking. So if you suddenly find it hard to speed up, have your ignition coils checked right away.
Your RPMs Are Revving Erratically
As well as losing power, the cylinder with the malfunctioning ignition coil will start misfiring. This makes the engine jump and sputter, producing erratic RPMs, especially when driving at lower speeds. If you see the RPM gauge on your instrument cluster suddenly rising and falling unpredictably, you may have a failing coil.
Your Exhaust Fumes Are Thickening
When a cylinder starts misfiring, the fuel being injected into the combustion chamber isn’t being burned away properly. This unburned fuel can start to escape into the exhaust system, where it may partially ignite and turn into black smoke. So if your exhaust fumes are suddenly thickening with smoke, one of your coils may be to blame.
You’re Struggling to Start Your Car
The surge of electrical voltage that a healthy ignition coil provides is most needed when starting your engine. Without a complete set of fully functioning coils, your engine might struggle to start in the morning. If more than one of your ignition coils has a problem, you may not be able to start your car at all.
You’re Spending More on Gas Each Week
When an ignition coil isn’t working and a cylinder isn’t firing as it should, your car will be traveling far less for each gallon of gas the engine consumes. If you notice an unexpected spike in your weekly gas budget, ask a technician to check your ignition coils, especially if you’re also experiencing any of the other problems listed above.
Clean Coils Often at Priority Toyota Chesapeake
One excellent way to extend how long your ignition coils last is to have them cleaned occasionally. Ignition coils tend to become dirtied by carbon emissions, grease, or dust. It doesn’t take long for a technician to clean a dirty coil, and regular cleaning might save a coil from fouling for several years.
Have your ignition coils inspected and repaired or swapped out by experienced technicians today at Priority Toyota of Chesapeake. We have friendly, knowledgeable staff and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service.
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