What´s the diference between a regular spark plug and a platinum spark plug? is it better?

Answer 1

Given two identical plugs, one copper and the other platinum, the only difference will be how long the plug lasts. When the spark emanates from the electrode, some of the metal atoms are actually 'blasted' off of the surface. Because of the way electrons are arranged in platinum atoms, fewer of the atoms are ejected. This causes the electrode to wear at a slower rate. There is a lot hooey out there about platinum creating a 'hotter spark' which increases power and/or mileage. Nonsense. How 'hot' a plug is has to do with the tip of the ceramic insulator on the plug, and nothing to do with the spark itself. You can put copper plugs in a car originally equipped with platinums, and vice versa, with no ill effects. Copper plugs are usually 1/2 to 1/5 the cost of platinums, depending upon the brand, but they will need to be changed more often. Sometimes the electrode design is different than on a traditional copper plug, which helps the flame front from the spark propagate better.

Answer 2

Platinum plugs last longer than conventional plugs.

But the main thing to know is, purchase the spark plugs for your vehicle from the dealer. The auto manufactures work long and hard designing these spark plugs and figuring out which plug works the best. Then they design their engine management system around that spark plug. You can severely effect the way your vehicle runs by putting some cheap useless plug in there. The worst ones to use are Bosch Platinum. I have never seen those plugs help any engine & I wouldn't put them in my lawnmower. (I buy the champion plug for my lawnmower from sears who sells it for my mower) So just buy what the dealer sells for your vehicle.

And remember when you change spark plugs to some aftermarket brand and the car runs better, it means you needed new plugs... you would have yielded the same result replacing them with factory plugs.

Good Luck

Answer 3

platnums as someone says is a better conductor and will erode less.. normal spark plugs are rated at 30 k miles.. single platnum is 60 k miles, doubles are rated for 100k miles...

Now the cost is less on the normals but lets do some math here:

regular plugs go for about $2 / plug
double platnums go for about $8/plug

it take 3 hours to chage the plugs on my truck (that's the labor rate chaged by most mechanic shops)
Goodyear and the car dealers in my area want $75/hour for labor

$75 x 3 hours is $225

$225 x 3 times for regular plugs is $675 in labor over 100k miles
compared to $225 for the double platnum

to save $16 dollars in the long run ($8/plugx8plugs = $64 total compared to $2/plugx 3times x 8cyl = $48) that's why I run double platnum plugs for

Answer 4

Platinum is an *extremely* good conductor of electricity.

It is much more expensive.
Is it worth the price? - depends on a lot of things, age of car, how often you change your spark plugs, driving conditions and your driving style...etc, etc, etc

Is it better? well, all the marketing material the platinum spark plug company provides says it is.

but, this is one of those questions that if you ask 100 mechanics... you may get one hundred different answers.

Answer 5

platinum is a noble metal, meaning it does not react in the corrosive emmissions generated in a combustion chamber.

A regular plug "erodes" because the metal reacts with the chemicals in combustion.

A platinum plug should last longer in the same engine.

Answer 6

Not much....it's a sales ploy, a spark plug is a spark plug.

Answer 7

platinum's supposed to last longer, and be self-cleaning...