Spark plugs: they provide the power necessary to ignite the thousands of tiny explosions that power your car. Outwardly, they seem quite simple. A very high voltage jolt of electricity is fed into the spark plug from an ignition coil and travels through the plug exiting at the electrode. A crush washer keeps the plug firmly sealed against the cylinder head and prevents combustion gasses from escaping. When it comes to the world of spark plugs there are tons of options and all the choices might seem intimidating. Today, I will try to shed some light on the different types and their cons and benefits.
Copper: These are the standard. Simple, inexpensive and you’ll probably be able to find them in any auto parts store. They shouldn’t cost more than a few bucks a pop and often if you’re driving a stock lower-tier, or older car there are no benefits to using anything else.
Iridium: These plugs use the transition metal Iridium for the electrode. They will last far longer than copper plugs and require less voltage to spark reducing the load on your coils. Some newer cars will be fitted with these from the factory, in which case you should also buy iridium plugs.
Single Electrode Platinum: These plugs blow the other two out of the water. They can last into the hundreds of thousands of miles and are typically much hotter than copper, or iridium. As a result when combined with a quality detergent gasoline they aid in the burning of carbon and keep your cylinders and valves cleaner.
Dual Electrode Platinum: Just like the regular platinum plugs, but with two electrodes. These will last longer and may be necessary on high performance vehicles with high voltage ignition systems.
Most importantly, remember that no matter what plug you use make sure that the electrode gap is set correctly. The specifications should be published in your owner’s manual, or can be easily found online. Setting the gap properly will make sure your vehicle runs smoothly and increases the lifespan of your plugs. Additionally, when you install plugs make sure that you apply a small dab of anti seize grease to the threads, start the plug by hand to ensure that you don’t strip your head threads and apply firm pressure to ensure the crush washer is properly and completely seated. Happy motoring!