If you own a truck or car, you should learn more about spark plugs. These are components that increase your vehicle’s performance, horsepower and fuel mileage. They generate a tiny spark of electric current that moves across a short distance to the combustion chamber. The chamber has fuel that gets ignited by the incoming electric current. Due to the fuel burning process, the pistons begin to move. This causes the engine to move. So there is no way your engine can move without the help of a spark plug. It removes heat from the combustion chamber and transmits it to the auto’s cooling system.

If the plugs have a cheap build, they cannot withstand high temperatures. Low quality plugs are destroyed by the high amount of heat. So, as you start searching for the best plugs, consider their quality first. High quality spark plugs can last several hundreds of miles and this is good news. You can lower your car maintenance expenditures and drive a properly functioning car. Although modern plugs are the best ones to pick, it does not mean that all of them have the best quality.

How to select the most appropriate plugs

Any person who is looking to buy the best plugs should consider size first. As automobiles have different engine styles and sizes, they cannot use the same spark plug. So, examine the plugs in your auto’s cylinder head. Then choose a similar version. As aforementioned, plugs’ quality should be excellent and long-lasting. One of our best picks is the iridium spark plug. If you are looking for high performance plugs, iridium ones are perfect. They have an electrode of 0.4 millimeters and last longer than some other options.

Platinum and double platinum plugs are available as well. The platinum ones are better than copper plugs but less valuable than iridium plugs. They can cover up to one hundred thousand miles of use and are found in autos that use distributer systems. A double platinum spark plug is less reliable compared to platinum and iridium plugs. Unless your vehicle uses them, most experts don’t recommend buying. Lastly, you can buy some copper core plugs if you own an older car model with a carburetor. Their electrode is 2.5mm.

Third, it’s imperative to consider how your vehicle functions. If it needs more horsepower or you want it to consume fuel more economically, be sure to get the most high quality spark plug available. With these, you can expect no residue after the combustion process is over. The plugs will burn it completely, relieving you the duty of cleaning them often.

When to buy a new spark plug

How regularly you should replace your plugs depends fully on the kind you are using. If using the most valuable and durable plugs, such as iridium plugs, you don’t have to change them often. On the other hand, those using a high performance engine might have to swap theirs often because of the increased ignition that causes more wear and tear. Besides the kind of spark plug you have, see if you could catch other problems. For instance, if your vehicle cannot start fast and easily, the plugs might need a change.

If you delay, they might consume your battery power. Even if your vehicle’s engine is operating normally, it might release more emissions and experience sporadic misfires due to damaged plugs. Does your vehicle start and stop itself without a warning? If so, have its plugs examined as they could be faulty. As the spark plugs worsen, their lowered efficiency will affect your auto’s fuel economy. But when you solve the problem, the car’s fuel mileage will improve.