CARQUEST of Chelsea: Shop Spark Plugs

Starting and stopping with in-town driving can wear out your spark plugs fast. Cars and trucks with sophisticated electronic systems depend on a spark plug to fire dependably. Spark plugs vary in price based on the material and engineering.

What Is The Best Spark Plug For My Car?

Platinum Spark Plugs: A platinum spark plug is "the standard" in most modern vehicles. Platinum spark plugs cost a little more than copper but last a very long time and support demanding electronic and computer systems.

Double Platinum Spark Plugs: A double platinum spark plug features a platinum center electrode instead of a nickel alloy. A platinum spark plug is more durable and can last up to 100,000 miles. A platinum spark plugs thermo-conductive qualities work to reduce debris in your engine oil. It is the "workhorse" of cars and trucks with complex electronically managed fuel systems.

Iridium Spark Plugs: Iridium spark plugs will last the longest. Iridium is harder than the most durable platinum. Iridium spark plugs cost more but last longer and use less voltage. By leveraging the conductive qualities of iridium automobile engineers were able to create spark plugs with a smaller center electrode. These electrodes use less voltage to generate an electric current. If your vehicle comes with iridium spark plugs downgrading to platinum or copper is not recommended.

Copper Spark Plugs: Consider a spark plug with a copper wire tip and nickel alloy electrode for older cars that don't rely on sophisticated computer and electronic systems. Copper spark plugs are the least expensive. They offer strong cooling but wear down more easily and must be replaced more frequently.