

"I always say," noted Lipp, "you need to go as hot as possible but as cold as necessary." Heat range is another area where it's best to follow the manufacturer's recommendation. run for extended periods at very, very high load and your operating temperature is very high, you must never exceed your allowable operating temperature," which could also ruin the plugs. "But on the other hand, you need to make sure that when you. If this resistance gets too high, the plugs won't fire at all. He said, "A spark plug needs to get up to operating temperature as quickly as possible." If not, soot can form on it, which acts like a resistor, taking energy away from the spark. What is the heat range? Lipp explained it's basically a measure of the thermal management of a spark plug, with colder plugs having higher thermal conductivity, dissipating more heat to the engine than hotter plugs. This is another parameter specified by the manufacturer. Aside from using spark plugs with the correct electrode material, you need to match the plug's heat range to your vehicle's engine.Moving upward, however, should not be an issue, that is, going from copper-core plugs to platinum, or double platinum to an iridium plug. "You do not want to downgrade it," said Berry, not unless you want to risk engine damage. Make sure to purchase the right spark plug type specified by the manufacturer.
NGK SPARK PLUGS INSTALL
Don't install low-cost copper-core plugs in your high-performance sports car with a turbocharged engine. When you do buy replacement spark plugs, it's critical to run the recommended spark plug type for your vehicle's engine."Spending $20 $30 on a set of plugs is not a huge amount of money every few years," said Phil Berry, product and project manager of global ignition at DRiV Motorparts, a division of Tenneco, which is cheap insurance against future issues. It's not that they go bad but, "Removability can become an issue at some point in time." Rust and corrosion can make the plugs a challenge to take out and can even damage the cylinder head they screw into, which can lead to costly repairs. "You don't necessarily want to leave your spark plugs if you're not driving your car that much for 10 years or 15 years," said Lipp. But just because a certain set of spark plugs can technically go that distance doesn't mean it's a good idea to run them that long. This longevity is largely thanks to advanced electrode materials such as platinum and iridium. Many modern spark plugs are designed to last for ages, in some instances 100,000 miles or more.Autolite Important things to know about spark plugs Spark plugs, deceptively simple, important. Latest and greatest spark-plug design, super long-lasting ruthenium electrodes Long-term durability, better performance than double platinum, high ratings Platinum-tipped electrode, titanium-enhanced ground strap, tough purified alumina powder insulatorīetter performance and longevity than copper plugs, highly rated, very affordableīest value-priced double-platinum spark plugĭouble platinum electrodes for greater durability, heat-active alloy constructionĮven better performance and longevity than standard platinum spark plugs, super-affordable price, highly ratedĪnti-corrosion trivalent metal plating, resistance to fouling thanks to long insulator nose, enhanced throttle response Highly rated, affordably priced, good for small engines and classic cars Highly rated, good for small engines and classic cars There are different electrode materials and plug lengths, heat ranges vary based on application and some spark plugs are intended strictly for turbocharged or supercharged engines. Beyond that, there's a dizzying array of spark plugs on the market, with specific designs for everything from lawnmowers to race cars. On the surface, these cylindrical, threaded components seem simple, but there's an incredible amount of engineering that goes into each one. The business end of an ignition system is the humble spark plug. These parts join forces to ignite the delicately balanced mixture of air and fuel in each cylinder, which is ultimately what sends you zooming on down the road. Spark plugs, coil packs and high-tension leads are your vehicle's unsung under-the-hood heroes as they play one of the most important roles in the four-stroke combustion cycle. Are you someone who drives a gas-powered car? Has there ever been a time when you've thought about your car's ignition system? If your answer is no, don't worry - you are definitely not alone.
