What spark plug brand is best?

Question

I am going to get new plugs for my car to increase efficiency and for more power. I know it is the best upgrade i can do, but i know it will help my car. I am looking into getting iridium spark plugs and can get Bosch, NGK, Champion or Autolite. Which is the best brand to buy? thanks

sorry, i forgot to mention my car. It is a 2003 Camry Se 4cyl. I want to put new plugs in for better preformance and gas milage. I know it wont improve much but my engine will run more efficiently.

I had been looking at the Bosch Platinum 4 and the Bosch Ir Fusions because i can get them the easiest. Are these plugs any good and which one has better preformance and which is overall a better plug? Thanks

Answer 1

Ryan-

First things first. Spark Plugs will increase your efficency, but you are not going to feel a huge power increase regardless of the brand of plugs you choose.

Lets do a little Automotive 101 then you will understand.

Today's engines are mostly using an ignition system called DIS, (Distributorless Ignition System). The ignition system of any car equipped with Electronic Ignition or DIS is only going to use enough electricity to jump the gap in the spark plug.

For example if it only needs to push 10,000 Volts accross the gap that is all it it is going to push. Though a system may be capable of producing 20,000, 50,000, or 100,000 volts, it will only use what it needs to complete the curcuit. If you don't believe me take your car to a shop and place it on a scope and check the voltages.

The voltages will only increase as the plugs become worn or fouled from oil, fuel or soot from the combustion process.

Now having said that, why are there so many different types of plugs available for your vehicle? Well its simple its called marketing!

Let me walk this path with you so you can understand what these different types of plugs do and how they will benefit you or cause you problems, and with that, lets start with the Platinum Tipped Plugs.

Platinum tipped spark plugs are designed to last longer than the standard type plugs. This is because the Platinum is harder than the steel alloy electrode used in most standard issue plugs. The advantage with platinum plugs is that you do not have to change them as often as a standard plug. Also the spark they produce is slightly hotter than your standard plug. But the real factor is that they transfer and conduct the electricity better than a standard plug. This is also to be said for the Iridium Plugs.

The draw back is that they are not always the best choice for some ignition systems. Due to the lowered resistance in the circuit, some of today's ignition control modules may conclude there is a short to ground in the system. Some of the ignition systems have a certain set of voltage and resistance specifications programmed into their chips. If these numbers don't fall into the programmed window of specs, the computer can flag a trouble code, and send you to the shop to get it repaired, so its just a word of caution. Nothing more.

Next we go into configuration and multiple electrode plugs. Lets start with multiple electrode plugs. Because a plug has multiple electrodes does not mean the spark os going to hit all of the electrodes at the same time. These plugs were first developed in Aircraft. This is because the fuel burns at a much hotter rate and it had a tendancy to burn the electrodes off the spark plugs under severe engine conditions.

When a spark plug fires it heats the ground electrode every time it sparks. The metal can become fatiuged or start to melt away. When this occurs the gap opens up to a point where the plug may not fire reliably, so to handle that an extra electrode was added to share the load. Huh???

The spark will always jump to the coldest electrode. Why? The metal is denser at the colder electrode. So with having multiple electrodes you have a more reliable source of ignition for the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

Now we can cover configuration. Two excellent examples of this are the Nippondenso U-Groove Plugs and the NGK V-Power Plugs. Both of which your car was probably equipped with from the factory.

In this plug the engineers have re-configured the shape of the electrode to create a "Wide Path" spark. In other words a spark that has more surface area for the air/fuel mixture to start the burning process. These plugs, though considered a standard plug do indeed provide better ignition. Though not through a hotter spark, but through a larger one. This also does not mean it takes more juice to create that spark, it just means the configuration of the spark produces a more efficent combustion process with a larger ignition flame front.

Now we get to the final part of your question, brands!

The rule of thumb we use in the field is as follows:

Asian Production Vehicles:

Bosch
NGK
Nippondenso

American Production Vehicles:

AC Delco, (GM)
Autolite, (Ford/Chrysler)
Champion, (Chrysler)

European Production Vehicles:

NGK
Bosch

The reason for this is because of the way the ignition systems are developed. Ameican Ignition Systems are developed around, Autolite/Motorcraft, AC Delco or Champion plugs.

Asian Systems are normally developed around: Bosch, NGK or Nippondenso.

Likewise the European Systems are normally NGK or Bosch.

I own both GM cars and Toyotas, and because I have been turning wrenches for a couple of years, I have seen some strange ignition problems from using AC Delco plugs in Asian Products and vice-versa.

Some of the other folks are not going to agree with the whole plug issue, but they are going to have a hard time proving different on the facts of how an ignition system actually works.

Just keep in mind that you should really change the plugs out about every two years, regardless of type or brand. That is the best way to keep your power and fuel milage at its peak. Don't forget the air filter and your oil changes, those are equally important!

Well I hope I helped you out and good luck!

Answer 2

Best Spark Plug

Answer 3

You do not mention what kind of car you have. For best all around efficency you are best off to use the brand of plugs that come with your car. The engine is designed to use that plug. A lot of people get wound up in getting other plugs. Unless you are a professional drag racer or racing participant you have no business using off brand plugs.
Any reputable auto parts house can tell you what plug is recommended by the manufacturer.

Answer 4

My policy is to stay with the original type of plug that your car came with.

It's engineered to run with that plug, and who knows what changing it may do. Yes a change could give you more horsepower or better MPG, but at what long term cost to the engine?

Answer 5

This information is great but what about the new kid on the block, E3 Spark Plugs?

Answer 6

regardless of brand i use 1 range colder than stock learned that a long time ago

Answer 7

All the mechanics I work with all recommend going with a brand that was originally used by the vehicle mfg. But I have had good luck with Bosch and NGK,

Answer 8

Cobrar dinero con encuestas es verdad. Este es el lugar https://tr.im/oBqW2 que te remunera de verdad para dar tu opinión. Yo no tenia un trabajo desde hace dos años y he siempre aspirado atarear algo para cobrar algo de dinero pero nada, ni tarea ni dinero. Un día descubrí este lugar y decidí darle una oportunidad, pese a que estaba descreída tenia una oportunidad y en presente me alegro haber elegido probar este sitio ya que consigo un montón de dinero con pocas horas de trabajo y todo desde mí propia casa.

Answer 9

What kind of vehicle is it...honestly different plugs work best in different cars.....in my experience.......example Dodge works better with Champ...Auto lite in GM product or motorcraft in Ford.....and NGK and bosch seem to work better in imports.....it does make a difference in some vehicles !!!

Answer 10

I often end up asking the same thing on other sites