Sometimes the smallest things make a large difference. When it comes to cars, spark plugs fit into this definition quite perfectly. They are probably the smallest part of the engine. But without them, it is impossible to get the engine moving.

If it were not for spark plugs, we would still be riding those horse carriages. It was the invention of electricity and electric sparks that enabled us to burn fuel inside tightly sealed engines. You will know it if these tiny parts in the engine are not working well enough. If they are not firing at the right time at the right frequency, the ride comfort and fuel efficiency of the car will suffer the most. And if it has gone really bad, then bad news, you won’t be able to drive the car at all. But before you go shopping for this tiny car part, knowing more about them really helps. This article will tell you about all the different types of spark plugs out there and how to choose the right one among them.

Different types of spark plugs

Spark plus does not produce sparks on its own, unlike what the name suggests. Quite the contrary, there are ignition coils, battery, and distributor that controls the spark plug. But still, these plugs remain one of the favourite parts of engine tuners. Swapping the stock spark plugs for better performance optimised ones is the basic part of engine tuning. Here is a list of the four types of spark plugs that you will come across in the market. This article will help you decide what type of plug you need for your car. In this article, you will also find some wonderful tips that you can follow while shopping for them.

Copper plugs

This type of spark plug is not entirely made out of copper. Although the major component in its build indeed is copper, the central electrode consists of nickel alloy to resist corrosion. Among all types of plugs, the copper ones have the largest diameter. More diameter means it will need more voltage to produce a current. The downside of copper spark plugs is that their longevity is very less. The main reason is that the nickel alloy is very soft and therefore is not durable at all. But for vehicles older than 1980, this is the only type of spark plug that will work.

Platinum plugs

When you replace the nickel part of the copper plugs, you get a platinum spark plug. Except for that one difference, it is almost identical to the copper ones. But because the core is thinner, there is a slight decrease in the diameter. The advantage of replacing nickel with platinum is the considerable increase in the life of the spark plug. Debris builds up near the end of the plug will be less with this type of spark plug. This might not work in old car models, but if your car has an electronic distributor, the platinum type is the ideal choice.

Double platinum plugs

Some distributor systems add redundancy to increase the reliability of the plugs. These spark plugs will fire twice in the ideal condition. If everything is working fine, the second spark goes wasted. But in case the first spark could not ignite the fuel inside the cylinder, the second spark ensures the proper working of the engine. Because this system uses a second spark for redundancy, it is also called a waste spark system. They work well even in bad weather conditions. Don’t use them in electronic spark distribution systems, though.

Iridium plugs

Here is the one for you if you are looking for a spark plug that will last for a really long time. Iridium metal is a lot harder than platinum. And for that reason, it is also way more durable. Yes, they will cost you more. But in the long run, you can avoid paying more for a new set of plugs and also avoid getting stuck with a stalled engine in the middle of nowhere. They don’t need as much power as that of a platinum spark plug to produce an electric current. All these reasons make iridium spark plugs the aptest for modern high-end cars in which cost reduction is not the major consideration.

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