The higher ignition profile ensures the fuel you burn is burned efficiently. Needless to say, here are some of the top benefits of iridium spark plugs: 1) Improve Fuel Efficiency With so many aspects that outperform the competitors, it’s tough to select the best advantages. The advantages of iridium spark plugs vs. While disadvantages are present, the advantages of using an iridium spark plug over the alternative far outweigh the disadvantages in most instances. What Is So Special about Iridium Spark Plugs?Īs with any other product, iridium spark plugs have several disadvantages. The laser iridium spark plug has a tip with the smallest diameter creating a slower wear rate, lower emission, and improved fuel economy. The laser technology ensures higher ignitability rates and a longer lifespan. Laser Iridium spark plugs are the superior spark plug option in the iridium category. They also come in various sizes for optimal vehicle compatibility and varying head ranges to ensure optimum performance. NGK Iridium IX spark plug is the preferred spark plug for modified engines as they offer superior performance and are a compatible replacement for OEM spark plugs. This increased durability makes them four times stronger than the copper alternative and provides a platform for your vehicle to perform at higher speeds for longer. Much like double-platinum spark plugs, double-iridium spark plugs contain two rare-metal discs that increase durability and performance. This makes them extra durable to harsh conditions and is prominent in industrial combustion engines.ĭouble iridium spark plugs boast better overall performance, longevity, durability, and lower voltage than other types of spark plugs. Here are the varying types of iridium spark plugs: 1) Double Iridiumĭouble iridium spark plugs contain laser welded iridium on the center and ground electrodes.

Iridium spark plugs, as a whole, have the higher functioning capability as opposed to platinum and other types of spark plugs but all iridium spark plugs are not the same. How Can You Tell if NGK Iridium Spark Plugs Are Fake?Īll iridium spark plugs are the same, right? Wrong.What Is So Special about Iridium Spark Plugs?.Due to this short lifespan, most copper spark plugs need to be changed every 20,000 miles. Over time, this wear leads to the spark plugs fouling and not working as efficiently as they did when they were new. The nickel-alloy outer material used in the copper spark plug isn’t as hard as other metals so it wears down more quickly with the high pressure and heat created in the cylinder of the engine. Copper spark plugs are also often used in older (pre-1980s) vehicles with a distributor-based ignition system. They are often installed as original equipment in turbocharged engines and engines with higher compression ratios. A standard spark plug typically features a nickel-alloy outer material fused to the copper-core electrodes.Ĭopper spark plugs run cooler and provide more power in performance driving situations. While almost all spark plugs feature a copper core, many people refer to the common spark plug as a “copper” spark plug. The copper spark plug is the most common and cheapest plug available.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the copper spark plug? These metals also help extend the interval between spark plug changes and decrease the misfire rate. The use of metals like nickel alloy, platinum and iridium reduces the wear caused by high voltage sparks. This is the vital spark that starts the combustion process. The metal channels the high voltage from the spark plug wire through the spark plug so it can spark when it goes across the small gap between the central electrode and the side electrode. Manufacturers use precious and other metals in the center and side electrodes of a spark plug. What is the purpose of metal in a spark plug?