With the proximity of the period of low temperatures, and NGK, world's largest manufacturer and specialist in spark plugs, guides drivers about possible difficulties in starting ethanol-powered cars. During low temperature days, it is common for the car not to start on the first hit of the key. Some cares, mainly with spark plugs, can minimize the undesirable situation. The preventive maintenance of the spark plugs guarantees the functioning of the vehicle ignition, facilitating immediate engine start, especially on the coldest mornings. Candles with outdated service life, or excessive wear, can decrease vehicle performance, making it difficult to start after a long period off as, for example, from night to day. The insistence on starting the engine during this period can cause the spark plugs to flood, causing a greater inconvenience to the driver. If the problem occurs, it is necessary to wait, with the car off, until the fuel completely evaporates. This time varies from car to car and can take up to 30 minutes. "The ethanol-powered engine can have problems on cold days because this fuel requires high temperatures to change its physical state and cause the engine to run., unlike gasoline that evaporates quickly", explains Hiromori Mori, NGK Technical Assistance technician. Every ethanol vehicle has a parallel system that injects small amounts of gasoline into the engine to facilitate starting. "For this, it is necessary to always keep the petrol tank filled with new, good quality petrol”, remember the expert. Some actions of the vehicle owner can minimize and even totally avoid difficulties during a cold start in cars fueled with ethanol.. Between them, you should always check if the candles are in ideal conditions of use.. It is also essential to maintain the gasoline tank and change its gasoline every 90 days with good quality fuel. The cold start system also deserves attention and must be actually operating (injecting) and no fuel leakage. On Flex vehicles, another situation in which the driver should be careful is in the case of a total change in fuel. If the vehicle is filled with gasoline and is switched to ethanol, or from ethanol to gasoline, Ideally, the driver should drive the vehicle for 8 to 15km before keeping the engine off for an extended period. With this, the engine control system will recognize the new fuel present in the tank and reprogram the engine's operating strategy, even during the cold start.
New generation of cold start systems. Many current vehicles are equipped with new systems that do not use the gas tank to inject fuel in the cold start.. It is noteworthy that even in this system, the spark plug plays a fundamental role in the success of the engine starting on cold days and a vehicle with a worn spark plug will invariably present starting difficulties., aggravated fact on cold days.
More about Spark Plugs The spark plug has the function of conducting electrical current under high voltage into the combustion chamber, converting it to spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture. Another feature is that it allows the dissipation of heat generated in combustion. In full working condition, the spark plug promotes fuel economy, better engine performance and reduced air pollutant emissions. With the service life exceeded, it can compromise ignition cables, rotor, distributor and coil/transformer. Segundo a NGK, It is important to have an annual analysis or every 10 thousand kilometers driven, what comes first, at a reliable mechanic. A consultation of the Vehicle Owner's Manual will guide the driver as to the ideal model to be installed in the car in question and the change period, remembering that in some manuals there is a recommendation that in vehicles used in adverse conditions such as heavy traffic, cut the maintenance plan in half. Another important recommendation from NGK specialists is that the driver try to fill the car at stations where the source of the fuel is known and drive the vehicle responsibly.. In case of doubts, consult the NGK Application Table or contact NGK do Brasil Customer Service by phone 0800 197 112 (free call).
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