There’s an influx of fake spark plugs in the auto parts industry, making finding the right spark plug for your car frustrating. That’s not all. Every vehicle brand and model has a specified spark plug for the engine.
There are three main types of spark plugs – Copper, Platinum, and Iridium. As such, the first step to identifying the right spark plugs for your car is getting the right type for your vehicle’s engine. Additionally, platinum and iridium spark plugs come in two types.
In a nutshell, Copper spark plugs are the most popular – they are affordable and have high conductivity. Unfortunatley, they don’t last long and need replacing from time to time. Platinum and Iridium spark plugs, on the other hand, are more durable and common on high-performance vehicles. On the flip side, they are more costly.
Getting the right spark plugs for your car is not about the effect you want out of your engine but, rather, the manufacturer’s specifications. As a result, it is recommended that you check your owner’s manual or visit a certified auto shop if you are unsure of the right type of spark plug to use.
So, What’s the Function of a Spark Plug?
A spark plug might seem tiny, but its function is vital to your engine. Without a spark plug, your vehicle won’t start. Spark plugs transmit the electrical current from your car’s ignition system to the combustion chamber, igniting the compressed air-fuel mixture.
The ignition in the engine is achieved when an electrical spark between the spark plug’s electrodes (center and side electrode) occurs. Your car’s ignition system produces the energy for this spark.
Here’s the truth. When the spark plugs precisely ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine’s combustion chamber, they facilitate efficient combustion—vital for generating power for the engine and, eventually, overall performance. For this reason, your vehicle will perform poorly if the spark plugs are worn out or not the specified type.
General Structure of a Spark Plug
Your vehicle’s spark plug has a very simple structure. The top section features a ceramic and metal terminal for connection and a copper core with a central electrode. The spark plug body has a threaded section that bolts into your cylinder head. Lastly, you have the side electrode.
The spark that facilitates combustion in the cylinder happens in the gap between the spark plugs’ center and side electrodes. Therefore, the difference in spark plugs mainly depends on the materials used to make the electrodes.
Types of Spark Plugs
There are three main types of spark plugs: Copper, Platinum, and Iridium.
Copper Spark Plugs
Copper Spark plugs are the most popular because they have been used for over a century, feature a solid copper core, and have a nickel alloy electrode. Copper spark plugs conduct heat well, making them efficient across different temperatures.
Copper plugs are ideal for older vehicles that feature low-voltage systems. Due to their high conductivity, they can also be used for high-performance engines. The only downfall is that their nickel alloy electrodes wear out faster than the materials used in platinum or Iridium spark plugs. As a result, they need regular replacement.
Platinum Spark Plugs
Platinum Spark Plugs are a step up from Copper spark plugs. As such, they last longer and are more common in modern vehicle engines. Platinum plugs feature a platinum disc on the center electrode, which makes them more durable (more resistant to wear and erosion) than Copper spark plugs and provides a better spark over time.
Platinum spark plugs also run hotter, and as a result, they are not prone to fouling or deposit buildup. Platinum plugs are more appropriate for sophisticated ignition systems such as coil-on-plug (COP), coil packs, or distributer-less ignition systems.
There are two main types of Platinum plugs:
- Single Platinum Plugs: Plugs feature platinum on the center electrode of their structure.
- Double Platinum Plugs: These Plugs feature platinum on both the center and ground electrodes, which increases their durability.
Iridium Spark Plugs
Iridium spark plugs became popular in the mid-2000s. These plugs are designed for modern engines (coil-on-plug ignition systems) and feature a smaller center electrode that ideally requires less voltage to generate a spark.
Iridium spark plugs offer exceptional durability and perform well under extreme conditions, making them popular on high-performance engines. Unfortunately, they are costly.
Like Platinum spark plugs, there are two types of Iridium spark plugs: single and Double Iridium plugs.
Double Iridium Spark plugs are a more advanced version of iridium Spark plugs—think of iridium 2.0. They feature two iridium discs that enhance their durability and performance, especially in extreme driving conditions.
Double Iridium spark plugs offer four times the longevity of Copper spark plugs, but they are more expensive to acquire. As a result, they are best for applications that require high performance.
How to Identify Fake Spark Plugs
The counterfeit market for fake spark plugs is everywhere, making it a nightmare for vehicle owners who want to get genuine spark plugs. While the fake versions can easily be substituted for genuine ones, following these simple steps will help you identify fake spark plugs.
Check the Packaging
Fake spark plugs often have typos in spelling and poor or no packaging. Genuine spark plugs have a professional presentation, high-quality packaging, and accurate branding and spelling.
You can also check for tamper-proof seals and holograms. Genuine-manufactured plugs will feature seals and QR codes for verification. Finally, check if the packing is inconsistent with known original spark plugs—if the designs, fonts, or branding don’t align, they are fake!
Physically Inspect the Spark Plug
Manufacturers spend a lot of time and money on branding and quality control. Therefore, if your spark plug is missing engravings, laser markings, brand, or batch numbers, you must beware. The product is probably fake.
Cross-examine the electrode and insulator for dimensions, rough finishes, or inferior materials—if they differ from the one you want to replace, they are probably not genuine. Genuine spark plugs are developed with high-quality material, so they might feel heavier.
Compare Suspicious Spark Plug with a Genuine Sample
Physically comparing a suspicious spark plug with a genuine sample can help you identify disparities in structural build. First, compare the length and diameter of the suspicious plug against a genuine sample. A fake plug might not match the exact size.
Also, the electrode alignment might be off. Fake spark plugs might have the center electrode slightly mismatched or uncentered, and the ground electrode may be misaligned.
Suspiciously Cheap
Not all cheap things are fake, but if the spark plug is suspiciously cheap – they could be fake. Also, to avoid headaches, only get spark plugs from your vehicle manufacturer’s authorized dealer.
Verify Before Purchase
Manufacturers spend a lot of money and time to ensure their customers are satisfied. They also know safeguarding their brands means more business. Therefore, each spark plug needs to have a verifiable serial number or QR code on the packaging. Verify the codes on your smartphone’s QR reader. If they don’t pass the verification process, they are fake!
Buying counterfeit spark plugs can significantly affect your vehicle’s performance. Since they are parked in the ignition system, your vehicle may be less efficient and perform dismally. Worse, they could damage your engine, leading to costly and extensive repairs. A rule of thumb is always purchasing spark plugs from a manufacturer-authorized dealer.
