Going the Extra Mile(s) with Iridium Spark Plugs
Advanced spark plugs designed to improve fuel efficiency in today’s engines. Helping customers choose the right spark plugs is more important than ever. When it comes to late model vehicles in particular, shop owners and technicians understand that improvements in spark plug design, metallurgy and technology can help maximize the performance and fuel efficiency of
The Importance of Proper Spark Plug Torquing
By Autolite®
GDI Engines Create Unique Spark Plug Challenges
Starting in the late 2010s, the use of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines in passenger vehicles has steadily increased. This trend makes it crucial to understand how to identify these engines, as well as how to recommend the proper spark plugs for them. Because GDI engines feature a high-pressure fuel spray located directly in the
Changing Maintenance Approach for Inactive Vehicles
2020 has added many new challenges to our everyday lives, including vehicle maintenance. With more vehicles sitting unused for long periods of time, drivers face deciding when to have scheduled maintenance performed and experiencing new issues with their vehicles. Vehicles are meant to be used, and disuse can create severe problems if preventative measures are
Check the PCV Valve If You Suspect Oil Fouling
The overriding task of the internal-combustion engine is a straightforward one: provide the requisite amount of power needed to propel the vehicle down the road at a prescribed speed, measured in miles per hour. Achieving this goal, however, requires all of the components in a delicate ecosystem to operate in perfect harmony, culminating in the
Know Your Engine When Determining Spark Plug Service Intervals
How much easier and simpler would life be if every problem had a one-size-fits-all solution? Unfortunately, that will never be the case since almost every conundrum must be mitigated via a solution that involves the precise implementation of a diverse set of actions that have to link seamlessly in order to optimize or improve the
Secondary Ignition Waveforms and Spark Plug Performance
There are at least 500 components in the modern car engine. Our favorite – and an often-underrated part – is the spark plug. Spark plugs deliver the electric current from the ignition system in our vehicles to the combustion chamber of a spark-ignition engine, igniting the compressed fuel/air mixture with an electric spark. When thinking
Why Spark Plug Metallurgy Matters
Design and engineering are part of the equation for a successful spark plug, but meeting OE specifications can only push performance so far. The makeup, or metallurgy, of the plug’s conductive material can be the difference-maker for mileage, service life, fuel efficiency and fouling resistance. Why is Metallurgy Important? It’s a fact that noble metals
Iridium Aftermarket Spark Plugs Offer OE-Level Performance
Aftermarket parts manufacturers live to push the boundaries of performance. This is true of companies specializing in any type of auto part. In the case of spark plug manufacturers, they have been optimizing their products by working with more durable and ignitable metals.
How To Talk To Customers About Aftermarket Spark Plugs
How many customers are asking for higher-performing spark plugs? Even if the number is only a few, there are several good reasons for them to explore their ignition options and how metallurgy can impact their engines. It’s important to remember that many customers don’t understand the benefits that different metallurgies can have for a vehicle.
Understanding Spark Plug Service Intervals
Over the past two decades, we’ve seen a wide range of suggested service intervals. As automotive technology continues to advance, spark plugs have followed suit. In the early 1990s, it wasn’t uncommon to replace spark plugs at 30,000 miles; many manufacturers still were suggesting copper spark plugs as the original-equipment (OE) replacement.
