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Get Optimal Performance Out Of Your Engine With The Best Spark Plugs
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Spark plugs are small, but have a massive impact on the reliability of your engine’s startup, performance, and power. They’re responsible for generating power in your engine as they ignite the air and fuel mixture, creating tiny, controlled explosions that make your combustion engine car move forward. Without these little plugs, you wouldn’t have the initial spark to crank the engine in the first place!
Despite their essential utility, many people take their spark plugs for granted. Spark plugs won’t last forever and eventually they’ll wear out with use. The longest they’ll last is about 100,000 miles, after which you’ll need to replace them. But if you’re like most people, you probably don’t know much about spark plugs, let alone which brand to buy in today’s cramped market. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! We’ve put together this buyer’s guide of the highest-grade spark plugs of 2023 so you know exactly what to look for. Let’s take a look!
Buying Guide: Spark Plugs
So far, we’ve featured an overview of the description, pros, and cons of some of the highest-quality spark plugs that are available on today’s market. But you still need to narrow it down to just one, so here’s a detailed buying guide to help you navigate the market like a true motorhead. Below, we’ve included everything you need to know.
What Are the Types of Spark Plug?
Not all spark plugs are built the same. They can be classified into five categories, each of them better suited for a certain demographic of drivers.
Iridium spark plugs
Let’s start with the most premium choice out there — iridium spark plugs! The highest-end plugs feature an iridium construction as the reliability, performance, fuel average, and lifespan they offer are unmatched. But the material quality and the innovative technology that’s integrated into these plugs drive their price up, which can be a limiting factor for those who are looking for an affordable option. These plugs are generally only used in performance cars.
Platinum spark plugs
Next, we’ve got platinum spark plugs. These plugs are a high value for the money, giving you considerably higher performance, gas mileage, and longevity that’s second only to iridium plugs. They can last about twice as long as their copper counterparts, making them a popular choice in city cars and some sports cars.
Copper spark plugs
These used to constitute the biggest portion of the spark plug market as they’re the most affordable and the most basic. In recent years, iridium and platinum spark plugs have overtaken copper spark plugs as a more popular option due to better efficiency, performance, and durability. While many older engines prefer copper spark plugs for optimal performance, most modern motor engines are not compatible with them.
Double platinum spark plugs
The double platinum spark plug is a reinforced version of the regular platinum spark plug. They use platinum material in both cap and electrode, providing even better efficiency, performance, and durability than single-plated ones. They’re a significant upgrade in performance from regular platinum plugs while still being much cheaper than iridium ones, which makes them a sweet spot for those looking for an affordable option for their performance cars.
Double iridium spark plugs
Following the same theme as above, double iridium is an enhanced version of the regular iridium spark plugs. Using iridium material in both the electrode and cap, these spark plugs are the best ones you can find on the market today. They’re good enough to supply you with tons of power in any driving condition, including back-to-back high-speed laps on a performance racetrack. On average, these last four times longer than an old-school copper plug, which goes to show how far modern motor technology has come!
Material Considerations
Since the classification of spark plug types is wholly based on their material composition, you can tell that material is an important factor that plays a key role in their performance and reliability. It’s important to consider which type and material fit your particular car.If you have a classic vehicle that still has a low-voltage, distributor-based ignition, copper spark plugs might be your only choice. For modern engines that don’t have distributors in them, you’re better off with iridium or platinum plugs.Platinum offers a perfect blend of performance and economy, paired with a long lifespan. But iridium provides even higher performance and longevity, but at a considerable price premium. Your decision mainly comes down to your budget constraints as you can’t go wrong with either of them. A great option that splits the difference between the two is a double-platinum spark plug which is ideal for most people.
Nut Size
Size plays a key role in determining whether or not a spark plug is right for your car. Size refers to the nut size. The measurements that are ideal for your engine vary depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.A reliable way to determine what size of replacement spark plug you need is to closely inspect the one that you’ve already got installed. If you were the first owner and haven’t changed the spark plug before, then the one you have would be company-fitted as an OEM part. See what size nut it has and follow suit.
Heat Range
Spark plugs that conduct more heat out of the tip are better at bringing down and maintaining a low temperature. The industry calls these plugs cold plugs. Plugs that insulate heat well generally have a higher operating temperature due to the conserved heat, which specifies them as hot plugs. Generally, your spark plug should be well-balanced on that spectrum, though manufacturers tend to err on the side of coldness because a plug that runs too hot can severely damage your engine, whereas one that runs too cold will simply stop working sooner.The heat range of a spark plug is denoted by an ascending number for hotter plugs, though some brands follow the same pattern of ascending numbers for colder ones so you’ll have to pay close attention to their product pages to know exactly what you’re paying for.
Gap Style
Lastly, spark plugs are engineered with calculated spark gaps that are adjustable using a gapper tool. If a single plug is designed to be compatible with several different engines, it’ll need a different gap to fit each one. For cars, plugs range between 0.024 and 0.071 inches. Before you spend your money on new spark plugs, make sure that it falls into the specified range that fits your car’s engine.
How frequently do I need to switch out my spark plugs?
On average, spark plugs should last for 30,000 to 90,000 miles depending on the quality, material, type, and brand of plugs you use. Some iridium ones can last beyond the 100,000 mile mark without even the slightest drop in performance.
How do I know if a spark plug has gone bad?
The biggest sign of a faulty spark plug is that your vehicle has trouble starting up or vibrates with rattling noises when you’re idling at a traffic light. If your engine performs smoothly and steadily, the plugs are performing as they should.
What issues can a faulty spark plug cause?
A spark plug that starts to malfunction leads to a number of concerning problems, including hard starts, misfires, worse fuel efficiency, and poor acceleration.
