Comments on: 4 Types of Spark Plugs (Copper vs Iridium vs Platinum vs Double Platinum)

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 22:53:34 +0000

In reply to James Lewis. Unlikely. Spark plug choice won't give you any extra power unless you were already down on power from using old plugs.

By: James Lewis

James Lewis — Sat, 12 Feb 2022 10:59:35 +0000

I drive a 2017 Jetta GLI Autobahn and want better performance from my engine, Will going to Copper Spark Plugs over Iridium or platinum provide BETTER Engine Performance even though they will not last but around 50,000 ?? Not concerned about cost, but performance. Heard that high end Audi, Porsche, and BMW use Copper ‽

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 17:57:45 +0000

In reply to Fred. Sounds like you've answered your own question, Fred. If your fuel economy suffers and you start having hard starts, stumbling, or misfires, it's probably time to change the plugs.

By: Fred

Fred — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 17:44:57 +0000

In reply to Sean.

Sean, that is the classic – “err on the side of caution” reply……

Can’t go wrong there.

What about using the hard starting, fuel economy and misfire symptomology approach to this question?

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 18:41:03 +0000

In reply to Fred. Plugs last a different amount of time depending on the vehicle and how it's driven. Always defer to your owner's manual for maintenance intervals.

By: Fred

Fred — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 20:12:15 +0000

if the double platinum plugs is good for 60 to 100 thousand miles……….

Why does Volkswagen show a 40,000 mile spark plug change in the owners manual?

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 17:23:37 +0000

In reply to Agboola Ayodele. You should be able to find this information in a factory service or repair manual, or at your local auto parts store.

By: Agboola Ayodele

Agboola Ayodele — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 08:09:50 +0000

Please recommend correct spark plug to be used for (Nissan Pathfinder) Jeep. 2006 model.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 22:22:29 +0000

In reply to Jopower. That is very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

By: Jopower

Jopower — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 10:25:47 +0000

In ancient times we used steel tipped spark plugs (at least we always called them such). We are talking Champion and Delco and Autolite, all-American plugs that lasted maybe 6000 miles before performance drop off, very common in the days of the 6k tune up interval for ANY stone ax era points-fired car. They were so-so, though when the Champion extended tip “Y” series appeared, as in J12Y for my old 60’s Pontiacs, they seemed to make a real difference, putting the spark closer to the center of the chamber a few MM and I noted better gas mileage… 5-10% on my delivery routes. Most plugs these days are extended tip and exceed our “stone knives and bear skins” era performance.

Then I got my 1970’s UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) and found a more modern type that worked really well, like the Nippon Denso U-groves. The U-grove plugs are still the best for my ancient 1978 Yamaha XS-650SE motorcycle (which I discovered a ways back are a copper core design). Nothing comes close for solid performance and cold start ease and I didn’t mind swapping them every 10-12k. That was what you did then (and 10k was a lot more than 6k after all). From that experience I switched from my American plugs and have enjoyed using them in all my old machines, even lawn mowers, for decades.

My modern cars have all OEM specced for Platinum and Iridium’s. The Iridium’s are definitely better of the two, but vs old-school copper… don’t know. Never tried them in new cars. I now discover they might be a better choice for us old wrenchers who care about every mile being “righteous” and love to get our hands dirty blacksmithing our rides. My modern rides will give them a trial vs their OEM spec. Maybe get back to you if I can remember to. ;^D