Glow Plugs, Keeping The Engine Running in Cold Weather
by Logan Taft on 2007-09-24Glow Plugs may not have been heard much but to a car mechanic it would ring a bell. This is because glow plugs are part of the automobile's engine, and an essential one at that. But contrary to its name, it doesn't really glow, rather it is used to heat the combustion chambers of some diesel engines. But this is only used in cold conditions to help ignition at cold-start. Located on its tip is a coil of a resistive wire or a filament that when electricity is attached, it heats up.
From its use in diesel engines, anyone could derive that it is only present in automobiles using diesel-powered engines. On the other hand, gasoline engines use electric spark plugs for this specific role. As mentioned before, this device is especially used in cold weathers by diesel engines. The reason for this is that during cold weathers, when the engine blocks, and the engine oil and cooling water are cold, the heat generated during the first revolutions of the engine is conducted away by the cold weather. This then prevents ignition to take place. It is at this time that glow plugs are switched on to give off heat to the combustion chamber. This is done prior to the turning over the engine and remains turned on as the engine is turned over to ignite the first charges of fuel.
Glow plugs need not continue running once the engine is running though it won't really hurt to leave it for five to ten more minutes to ensure a smooth ride. Some drivers do this also to keep the engine within the regulations of emissions as combustion efficiency is greatly reduced when the engine is very cold. Because of this, some engines require that these glow plugs continue to operate even when engine is already running to regulate emission.
Among the automakers who also include these glow plugs in the vehicles they make is Mercedes Benz. Being a German automaker who lives in a country where cold season comes and go, they made their Mercedes Benz Glow Plug to be precisely engineered to work in this season and to reduce emissions and attain a significant fuel economy. A Mercedes Benz Glow Plug is guaranteed to perform well as it was produced following the high standard faculty specification that is under the OE quality. They vouch for their Mercedes Benz Glow Plug's efficiency in regulating temperature. This will help reduce the danger of having a burnout.
Mercedes Glow Plug is sure to be fast and reliable, being made by one of the top selling luxury cars in the world. It reputation goes far beyond producing luxury cars as Mercedes also incorporates quality in it and in every part of the car they make. So it would obviously be come as no surprise that it works beyond expectations. Mercedes Benz Glow Plug is committed in bringing performance to cars it these are installed in as dependability is also a character that Mercedes Benz embodies in itself.
About The Author: Logan Taft, a Los Angeles native, is a freelance writer who loves to read and an avid car magazine collector. He is very in to cars and loves to write all about it.