With gas prices hovering around $4 per gallon, everyone is concerned about fuel economy. But did you know that one of the most economic ways to maintain an efficient engine and avoid wasting fuel is to change spark plugs at regular intervals.
As spark plug electrodes wear, the voltage required to jump the gap increases. Under hard acceleration, high speeds or heavy loads, misfires can occur and waste fuel. Also, a rich fuel mixture or poor oil control can foul or coat the ceramic insulator on the spark plug tip. Fouling like excessive wear will promote misfires and can eventually cause the spark plug to stop functioning.
So, how do you go about choosing the right spark plugs for your vehicle? Check out http://www.youtube.com/autolitesparkplugs/ for a short, educational video featuring Autolite technical trainer, David Buckshaw. In the video, Buckshaw provides quick tips on how to save money at the pump and walks through the benefits of using a premium plug like Autolite XP Xtreme Performance spark plugs.
The ignition in the Autolite XP Xtreme Performance spark plug is more focused and produces more power. This precision helps fuel efficiency by ensuring the greatest possible combustion from the mixture of air and fuel with every spark. Plus, to help prevent electrode wear, a precise blend of iridium and platinum are used to produce these spark plugs.
The use of iridium has its advantages: a higher melting temperature, increased corrosion resistance and better thermal conductivity. Likewise, the use of platinum provides better protection from oxidation —the biggest factors in electrode wear. The result is a long-lasting spark plug created with the metals that provide the ideal resistance for all types of electrode wear: temperature, corrosion and oxidation.
In addition to changing spark plugs, Buckshaw also recommends changing your air filter and checking your tire pressure to ensure the best fuel economy possible. For more information and tips, visit autolite.com
