COPPER vs PLATINUM vs IRADIUM SPARK PLUGS || types of spark plugs
Channel: Teja M H
Date: 2020-06-16

Copper spark plugs
When it comes to electrical conductivity, nothing beats copper. That’s what made copper spark plugs one of the best. In copper spark plugs, a nickel alloy is used for the center electrode. The disadvantage of the nickel alloy is that it is soft, which makes it not very durable.

In addition, it needs a lot of voltage so that the current can flow. Older cars still use copper spark plugs because their electrical requirements are not very high.

The reason why most manufacturers use metal on the sides and in the middle of the electrode is the low melting point of copper. Electrical current is passed through the spark plug body and a spark is created between the gap between the middle and side electrodes. If you are unsure, refer to your service manual to find the correct spark plug specifications for your engine.

Iridium spark plugs
If you are looking for spark plugs that last longer, iridium plugs are the best choice. Iridium is harder and more durable than copper or platinum, but more expensive. In addition, the plugs are perfect for a power-hungry car because the center electrodes are small.

This means that it needs less current to produce a spark. The trend is slowly moving towards greater use of iridium spark plugs.

Platinum spark plugs
The platinum plugs last longer than the copper plugs, but not as long as the iridium plugs. A platinum disc is melted on the tip, which makes the plugs resistant to deposits. The plugs are suitable for car owners with electronic distribution systems.

In addition to the normal platinum spark plugs we also have the double platinum spark plugs. This eliminates the probability of a wasted spark.

In such cases, your platinum spark plugs will ignite twice: once in the exhaust stroke cylinder and again in the compression stroke cylinder. This spark in the exhaust stroke cylinder is often wasted

What will happen if you do not replace the spark plugs?
Slow acceleration
A worn plug will not send the required charge to the combustion chambers. This means that one of the car’s combustion chambers is not working as usual. Most modern engines have on-board computers that regulate the current to the spark plugs. In this case, the slow acceleration could be due to a defective sensor. Clogged fuel injectors or dirty air filters can also cause slow acceleration. Your mechanic can identify the exact cause of the problem.

Engine misfiring
When you start having problems with engine misfiring, the culprit is often defective spark plugs. To ignite the fuel-air mixture, the combustion chambers need a charge provided by the spark plugs. The wires connected to the spark plugs could also be damaged, causing the incorrect current to flow.

If your engine misfires, you will hear stuttering or tripping noises from the engine block. This leads to an increase in exhaust fumes and reduced mileage.

High fuel consumption
Since the fuel in the combustion chambers does not ignite completely, you will notice a decrease in gas mileage. If the spark plugs are defective, the gap between the side and center electrode is often too large or too small. This means that no charge is generated for combustion.

In this case, you do not necessarily have to buy new plugs. You can remove existing plugs and either widen or narrow the gap between the electrodes according to the manufacturer’s settings.


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