What Material Should Be Chosen for Spark Plugs?
3 Answers
Spark plug materials generally include nickel alloy spark plugs, platinum spark plugs, rhodium-platinum spark plugs, and gold spark plugs. Among these, platinum spark plugs and gold spark plugs perform well. The quality of spark plugs directly affects the vehicle's normal ignition and driving performance. Below is a relevant introduction to spark plug materials: 1. Nickel alloy spark plugs: These are the most common type of spark plugs and cannot be used in high-end vehicles; they are only suitable for low-end models. Their lifespan is approximately 20,000 kilometers. 2. Platinum spark plugs: The main characteristics of platinum spark plugs are their long lifespan, excellent durability, and stable spark performance, making them suitable for harsh conditions. Their lifespan is approximately 40,000 kilometers. 3. Rhodium-platinum spark plugs: These spark plugs use rhodium-platinum as the central electrode, which improves ignition performance and enhances the engine's ignition sensitivity. The lifespan of rhodium-platinum spark plugs is approximately 60,000 kilometers. 4. Gold spark plugs: Tantalum gold material has high hardness, high resistance, and a high melting point. Gold spark plugs offer the best performance. Gold is the most corrosion-resistant and precious metal, capable of meeting the demands of high-power engines and withstanding high-temperature environments, preventing the electrodes from melting or being damaged easily. However, their price is correspondingly high, ranging in the tens of dollars. Gold spark plugs can be replaced approximately every 6,000 to 8,000 kilometers.
I mainly use my car for grocery shopping and picking up kids, so I choose spark plugs for affordability and convenience. I've used nickel alloy ones before, which cost just a few dozen yuan per set – cheap enough and quite suitable for my old car. Their lifespan is only about 20,000-30,000 kilometers, but replacing them is simple enough to do myself with tools in half an hour. Some suggested I upgrade to more expensive platinum or iridium plugs, but considering I'll probably replace this car in a couple of years, it doesn't seem worth the extra cost. One important reminder though: pay attention to heat range matching. Last time I installed mismatched plugs, the car shook like it was dancing. With these budget options, it's especially crucial to carefully check the model labels.
My car has a modified turbo, and the engine temperature is significantly higher than stock. When choosing spark plugs, heat dissipation performance is the top priority. I ended up using double iridium ones, as this material maintains stable ignition under high temperatures. Although a set costs over 400 yuan, I can definitely feel the throttle response becoming quicker, and cold starts are no longer sluggish. Especially important is the heat range selection—modified cars need plugs 1-2 grades hotter than stock. Once, I took a shortcut and bought standard plugs, only to find the electrodes deformed after a high-speed run. For fellow car enthusiasts, I recommend prioritizing iridium-series plugs with good heat dissipation over just looking at the price.
