The reason spark plugs have become more expensive in the past couple of decades is because precious metals that resist corrosion/deterioration are now used that help them last as long is 100,000+ miles. A good example would be iridium which is far more expensive than the copper/nickel alloys used in the past.
Investing in high-performance spark plugs is a surefire way to save some money in the long run. Better gas mileage is just the beginning. These premium spark plugs last longer than conventional plugs, which means you'll be able to go a longer time between tune-ups, keeping your maintenance costs down.
Whether you drive a Toyota Highlander or any other model, spark plug service is a key part of your vehicle's recommended maintenance schedule. Auto experts suggest every 30,000 miles as a general guide for how often to change spark plugs, but a variety of factors may cause them to wear out more quickly.
And we can't overlook the pure alumina silicate ceramic insulator, which provides unmatched strength and heat resistance that give NGK spark plugs a reliable reputation. And at $20, it is hard for a lot of the competition to keep up.
At the top of the list, we have the NGK Spark Plugs. With iridium as its core material, this spark plug pack can operate at a much wider heat range as compared to ordinary spark plugs made out of platinum or copper.
The engine won't know the difference. All spark plug manufacturers cross-reference their plugs with other brands so their brand can be interchanged with other brands. For most applications, there are usually a variety of brands that are interchangeable.
Iridium spark plugs are better at starting engines than other types of spark plug because the spark is highly concentrated in the central electrode, and consequentially requires less voltage to operate. This makes ignitions faster and more reliable, and also reduces power consumption.
Iridium is a far stronger metal than platinum, capable of taking up to eight times as much wear and tear as a platinum spark plug before losing efficiency. This means that iridium spark plugs are less likely to fail than platinum spark plugs, need replacing less often, and perform better under tough conditions.
Denso on the other hand have taken the superior hardness of Iridium and chosen to shrink the diameter of the electrode more than NGK. Because there is less material in the Denso Iridium spark (vs NGK Iridium) plug the life of a Denso Iridium Power spark plug is going to be theoretically less than an NGK iridium plug.
Generally, an iridium spark plug can last for 3000-4000 hours of engine runtime or up to 100,000 miles or more. While an iridium spark plug is made to last longer than platinum or copper core spark plugs, the iridium plug isn't made equal. Iridium spark plugs from various brands may have different life spans.
It has a high melting point, which also means that it can produce great electrodes while retaining its fine characteristics, Iridium spark plugs gives you better performance, complete combustion and excellent longevity which makes you free from change your spark plugs frequently.
To go along with engine fit, most spark plugs get made from different types of metal, some being cheaper than others. However, cheap ones tend to last a shorter lifespan than ones made from more expensive metals. Manufacturers will typically recommend the type of spark plugs your gas-powered vehicle needs.
You can pay between $16 and $100 for a set of spark plugs, depending on the type of plugs you need and the number of cylinders your engine has.
If your owner's manual specifies iridium spark plugs, don't downgrade to platinum spark plugs or copper spark plugs; if you downgrade, you run the risk of poor engine performance. You can also consult your mechanic for guidance on selecting the best spark plug for your car.
Considered the second-densest natural metal, iridium plugs are generally well-liked by drivers, but they have a few drawbacks, including a substantially higher cost. Extra care must also be taken during the installation of such spark plugs due to the brittle and combustible nature of iridium-coated electrodes.
NGK gives them a life expectancy of 40-50k miles. But they have to temper their projections as driving conditions and motor modifications differ. Typically we have found you can expect 60,000 to 80,000 miles on an unaltered motor. NGK Laser Iridium Spark Plugs have iridium center and a platinum ground electrodes.
For this reason, Denso plugs won't last longer than NGK units but they will be better at producing powerful sparks. On the other hand, NGK plugs will be a standard replacement for their platinum alternatives. They require less maintenance and provide a more stable and consistent performance than a Denso.
Platinum spark plugs are more costly than copper plugs but cheaper than iridium plugs and offer a good life cycle. Iridium is the most expensive spark plug, but offers good performance and a great lifespan as long as the cost isn't an issue.
Standard copper spark plugs last around 20,000 – 30,000 kms. The spark plugs play an important role in your engine, they produce electrical sparks that ignites the mixture of fuel and air in your engine's combustion chambers, causing the pistons to move up and down.
When you are replacing your spark plugs, make sure to replace them all simultaneously. This will ensure that your vehicle does not have any complications due to mixing old and new plugs together.