When Karl Benz has been credited for being the first to released the very first ?official? automobile that ran on the internal combustion engine, the German-born engineer was most likely unaware that his creation, and name for that matter, would soon become a global phenomenon. A century and three decades after its official start in 1871, Mercedes Benz is now one of the premier car makers in the world, continuing the pioneering spirit of its founder with its successive models throughout its lifespan. Garnering a reputation of never compromising quality and durability, Mercedes Benz has survived two World Wars, in which, the aftermath of both campaigns crippled the local German economy. Despite the adversity, the original vision of Karl Benz persisted, making the Mercedes Benz name famous among the current generation's celebrities by providing sports cars and limousines, all of which have kept the inventive spirit of its creator, changing the automotive industry several times throughout the industry's history. Despite numerous innovations in engineering and car electronics, such as the crumple zones, anti-lock brake system (ABS), PRE SAFE, fuel injection, just to name a few, the Mercedes Benz brand has yet to forget the bare basics of automotive technology. After all, as the company that supposedly started it all, no one understands the importance of the basics of the internal combustion engine like Mercedes Benz.The fact of the matter is, for an engine to work, you need compressed fuel that is combusted and turned into mechanical energy. The key proponent that makes this procedure possible is arguable, but one can never ignore the importance of spark plugs when discussing fuel combustion. Mercedes Benz spark plugs aren't anything fancy compared to the other car manufacturer spark plugs, its still screwed into the combustion chamber, made up of a conductive core inserted in a ceramic insulator. However, their necessity can never be overlooked. Operationally speaking, a Mercedes spark plug ignites the air and fuel mixture via creating an electrical spark coming from the ignition coil or magneto (from older models), which generates an electrical current once one starts the car. The timing of the sparks are controlled by a distributor, since the timing in this case, is critical, considering that the detonation of the sparks must be synchronized with the movement of the engine's pistons and valves. Misfiring spark plugs means that the engine is not operating on optimal levels, which in turn greatly effect the car's power and fuel efficiency. Returning to car maintenance basics, it is imperative that once routinely checks the spark plugs to ensure that optimum performances levels are kept. Checking the spark plug's tip is one way of checking the plug's current condition, however, if unsure, it is best to ask the advice of a professional in order to avoid missing out on malfunctions or replacing a still-viable plug. Should the worst case scenario i.e. a defective spark plug become evident, a trip to the local dealership might be in order. Otherwise, if one is confident of their mechanical aptitude, spare parts are easily available from the internet which is arguably a cheaper alternative.