Best Spark Plugs for Gas Mileage | Review and Buying Guide 2021

The spark plug should not be neglected to benefit from an optimal combustion mixing of air and gasoline. Without taking much space, the emergency spark plug ensures that it can be restarted in the event of a spark plug failure. This part directly affects gas mileage and the service life of the engine.

Therefore, we have decided to dedicate our today's review of this particular product. In it, you will find information about the main characteristics of fuel-efficient spark plugs. Along with 8 best spark plugs for gas mileage, you will understand exactly what to pay attention to when buying such products.

What are Spark Plugs?

The spark plug of gasoline-powered engines is a small element made up of several components. The part that connects directly to the ignition system pipette is the terminal, which varies according to the type of system. At the other end of the spark plug, there are two electrodes.

The ceramic body is located between the terminal and the metal core of the spark plug. The body is almost always made of aluminum oxide-based ceramic. It is connected to the metal core of the spark plug via an insulating element. A part of the metal body has a hexagonal crown. It facilitates the preparation of the spark plug in its housing.

Used on gasoline engines, the spark plug is one of the main components of the injection system. The high-performance spark plugs, once activated, create an electric arc of approximately 10,000 volts. It is necessary for the explosion of the gas mixture operated in the combustion chamber. It is precisely this explosion that makes it possible to start the engine of the vehicle.

Note that each time the engine is running, the spark plug is strained, which causes a phenomenon of wear. However, a defective spark plug can quickly cause starting difficulties, excessive fuel consumption, or even loss of engine power. Not to mention more pollution of the exhaust gases.

What Are Types Of Spark Plugs?

You may have notices there are several types of spark plugs replacement depending on the material. The materials don’t have any effect on the performance of the engine. However, they are used mainly for the longevity of the plug.

Here are the main 4 types of spark plugs depending on material:

Iridium Made Spark Plugs

Iridium has a number of physical and chemical characteristics that make it the perfect material for spark plugs. The rigidity and hardness of pure iridium allow manufacturers to ensure the plug’s much longer useful life.  Also, mixed with other elements, it can acquire different advantageous characteristics.

Pros:

• Extremely high resistance to corrosion and heat;
• Higher durability;
• Strong and rigid.

Cons:

• Very expensive.

Copper Made Spark Plugs

They are what everyone knows as "normal" or traditional. The conductive element they carry inside is copper. And as you know, this metal is well known for being one of the best conductors of electricity. They are very easy to get. It is also the one that will give you a more powerful spark to make your engine work in the best way.

Pros:

• Super-conductivity;
• Compatible with extreme-compression;
• Cheap.

Cons:

• Shorter durability.

Platinum Made Spark Plugs

This one is not for every car. In the average car, this turns out to be nothing more than a normal plug. They do not have more conductivity than copper spark plugs. The main advantage of platinum plugs is that they will last much longer than normal copper ones. If you plan to last a long time with your car, they are a better investment. Their price is not excessively higher than copper either.

Pros:

• Lasts exceptionally longer;
• Not so much expensive than copper;
• Less carbon build-up.

Cons:

• Rare to find.

Double Platinum Made Spark Plugs

Double platinum spark plugs are just like the previous one, except this one has a double layer of platinum: both in the center and ground electrodes. If platinum electrodes can almost double the life of the part, imagine the usefulness of a double platinum spark plug.

Pros:

• Requires lower secondary voltage;
• Higher ignition performance;
• Very long-lasting;
• Unsurpassed performance.

Cons:

• Very expensive and rare.

Reviews of 8 Best Spark Plugs for Gas Mileage

 01. Platinum +4 Spark Plug by BOSCH

In terms of the arrangement of the central electrode, these are considered the best spark plugs for high mileage cars.

The core is rather thin; it is made in such a way as to be almost flush with the insulation in ceramic materials. This allows you to give the spark a kind of plasma discharge. It will behave stably even if the voltage in the vehicle's electrical network is weak.

Spark plugs are characterized by a long service life: a car can travel up to 100,000 miles from one replacement to another. Such indicators can be achieved largely due to the presence of platinum spray.

The quality of the production is at its best, like most German-made products. Due to the fact that these spark plugs are quite popular on the market, they are often fake. But counterfeiting is very easy to determine- from the quality of the manufacture of the insulator, the small distance between the electrodes, and a number of other factors.

02. NGK 7090 BKR5EGP G-Power Spark Plug

This brand is a recognized leader among the best spark plugs for horsepower available on the Russian auto parts market. Today, similar products are installed on most new cars just off the assembly line.

In the case of this brand, defective products are not found at all. The spark is powerful enough, which allows the ignition of the air-fuel mixture, even of low quality. The electrode has a platinum coating, so the spark plug works stably throughout its operating period. Not to mention the longer life it has.

The manufacturer recommends changing the spark plugs every 10 thousand kilometers. But when using gasoline with a high octane number, this figure can almost double.

Spark plugs do not accumulate soot on the surface and withstand physical and thermal stress well. They fit tightly, as a result of which oil consumption is significantly reduced, and a certain fuel economy is also achieved.

03. E3 Spark Plugs Power sports Spark Plug

In third place in our review of the best spark plugs for better gas mileage is this model. It is characterized by excellent consumer qualities, which is reflected in the positive feedback from consumers.

These spark plugs are perfect for any kinds of cars as it is universal-fit. Having E3 spark plugs is an effective way to avoid the risk of ignition failure on gasoline-powered vehicles.

These spark plugs are characterized by excellent performance in the field of operation and originality of form. This model is characterized by an interesting shape of the side electrodes. Consequently, the generated sparks pass to the central electrode for the entire length of the open part. Therefore, the air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine cylinder will ignite rather quickly.

Such spark plugs can significantly save fuel. They have excellent insulation that will not break during operation. Thanks to the original design, these spark plugs almost never run out.

04. Denso (4504) PK20TT Platinum TT Spark Plug

They are among the best in terms of wear resistance- the manufacturer was able to achieve this effect. It is present both on the central and on the ground electrode.

The production technology is fully automated; the quality control is very strict.

The design includes two electrodes: the central electrode with 11mm platinum and 12mm platinum made ground electrode. And thanks to these, the engine can be started even in the case of a low level of a positive charge. Such spark plugs are perfect for Russian conditions, as the engine easily starts easily even at low temperatures.

The use of platinum spraying allows you to achieve another important positive effect. The spark plugs withstand the occurrence of erosion and corrosion processes well. Double-Platinum improves resistance to mechanical stress. Such spark plugs can reduce fuel consumption. On many occasions, it is considered the best quality spark plugs for gas mileage.

05. NGK 3403 G-Power Platinum Alloy Spark Plug

These spark plugs have two electrodes in their design, which is optimal for most types of engines. They are universal; that is, they are suitable for both automatic and manual transmissions. The cost of such products is quite acceptable. However, such spark plugs are characterized by a very long period of operation - about 115,000 miles.

Products have a platinum coating; this allows you to normalize gasoline consumption, regardless of their quality. If high-octane fuel is poured into the gas tank, the mileage can be doubled. This option is optimal for drivers who want to ensure stable and functional engine operation, especially at medium speeds.

However, some drivers with automatic transmissions complain that they are not accelerating too much. Some car owners are not too flattering about them as there are a lot of fake products on the market. It can often be almost impossible to distinguish from the original.

06. ACDelco Professional Iridium Spark Plug

These are quite popular gas-saving spark plugs, which is justified because it has a higher cost than contemporary others. They can safely serve from maintenance to maintenance. These products are characterized by stable operation, even at high engine speeds. For an average motorist, they are a perfect fit, and even for a lover of speed, it will be optimal.

The side electrodes have a smooth print, are perfectly welded, and there are no distortions. This allows you to ensure the stability of spark formation, reducing fuel consumption. High-quality workmanship allows the spark plugs to work longer, even if no high-class fuel is used.

The gap between the electrodes is not too large. It ensures a good spark formation even when the voltage in the car's electrical network is not very high. The spark plugs, along with an iridium coating, have a simple but functional design.

07. NGK 5464 BKR5EIX-11 Iridium IX Spark Plug

Here is another one from NGK. We simply can't get enough of these as they are one of the best available in the market.

These NGK spark plugs are produced with iridium sputtering. In their quality, they are significantly superior to most analogs. The Iridium tip is laser welded and only 0.6 millimeters. Such spark plugs are perfectly suited for a new engine in which oil consumption is practically not noticeable.

The reduced play allows for a stable spark, so the engine starts even if the battery is almost completely discharged.

The work resource is quite long - it can reach about 50 thousand kilometers. If high-octane gasoline is poured into the gas tank, this figure can increase to 65 thousand. There is not much difference to cheap spark plugs in fuel economy, but this model's life is much longer.

There are two electrodes here: one central, the second side. This option is suitable for car enthusiasts interested in ensuring that the engine runs stably and correctly. The build quality is very high, and the products are well resistant to erosion and corrosion. This makes the service life even longer.

08. Bosch X5DC Copper with Nickel Spark Plug

We close our list with another Bosch, the German material for spark plugs gas mileage. This product is characterized in that it is made of a rare alloy of nickel and yttrium. So, the center electrode acquires high reliability. This allows for a sufficiently long period of operation of the product.

The metal distribution takes place in automatic mode, thanks to which the build quality of each model is optimal. Yttrium allows you to increase ignition efficiency. In addition, this element allows you to reduce fuel consumption. The replacement of such spark plugs will not have to be too frequent. So they are more suitable for cars whose engines have difficult access to these products.

The model is perfect for many domestic and foreign brands; with its help, you can fully reveal the potential of the engine. The electrode is quite thin: this reduces the wear rate and significantly increases the performance of the spark plug.

What to Look For Before Buying Best Spark Plugs for Gas Mileage (Buying Guide)

Fuel efficient spark plugs are so important that they result in a powerful engine and at the same time economical. So we share the most important factors to consider when purchasing a spark plug. These are:

Manufacturing Materials of the spark plug

Due to the type of materials with which the spark plugs are made, they have different characteristics, properties, as well as useful life. Before purchasing such a component, you have to consider what benefits you are looking for in the performance of your vehicle. They may be:

Copper: This material is an excellent conductor of electricity. They are the most widely used because they are also inexpensive. The only point to consider is that they wear out easily since the terminals burn. It is necessary to continually replace them.

Platinum: It is extremely resistant, and this resistance is due to its lower conductivity. To help provide a better performance, they feature a pointed center electrode that optimizes current flow. They last up to 4 times longer than copper plugs.

Iridium: Iridium spark plugs have high electrical energy conductivity. It helps in better performance as well as longer life. But they are the most expensive as this is a costly material.

The resistance of the spark plugs

Resistance is necessary for all types of spark plugs to measure the resistance that is sought in each of them. It should be noted that resistance is the one empowered to eliminate possible radio frequency failures or interference. It is more easily noticed on spark plugs for separate injection engines.

You can find them in:

Bare resistance spark plugs: They are conventional and most used. They contain exposed electrical resistance. So, with the naked eye, you can see said resistance, regardless of what type of motor they are purchased for.

Protected resistance spark plugs: It is one of the most recently created and covered in a resistant case. It is filled with magnesium oxide that helps to better transmit electricity and heat.

Anti-parasite resistance spark plugs: Its base is located in the protected spark plugs. Additionally, they have a type of anti-parasitic resistance that is responsible for eliminating possible interferences in the electrical system.

Thread neck type

As the spark plugs are integrated into the engine, they need to be screwed into the cylinder head until they are flush with the same inner surface. If the thread is missing or leftover, it will become contaminated. That makes it difficult to replace when the time comes. Depending on the size of the motor head, we can find them:

Tapered seat spark plug: They are hermetically sealed when bolted to the cylinder head. So, they are the thinnest and do not require gaskets.

Short reach spark plug: The electrodes are so high that the filaments would not reach the combustion chamber properly. That’s why they are only used in thin head engines.

Long reach spark plug: They are the ones with the longest thread, and the engine heads where they are used are thicker. If the correct ones are not used, they can enter too much into the combustion chamber to the pistons. It can cause very costly damage to the engine.

Current arc size

It is the section where the electrical spark is required, jumping from the central electrode to the side. Suppose the use of the spark plug causes an increase in the arc distance due to its wear. Then the voltage will not be enough to generate the spark. On multi-electrode plugs, you will mostly use the closest one.

If a greater arc of current is required, spark plugs with a larger gap are needed. It could be a normal gap or large gap spark plugs. These are generally used in larger engines that need more energy to start.

Normal opening spark plugs: They are the simplest, and in them, the current arc jumps in the space of up to 0.035 inches.

Large opening spark plugs: In addition to sufficient space, it requires high voltage coils in the ignition system so that the arc can reach up to 0.080 inches.

FAQ

1. Do Iridium Spark Plugs Improve Gas Mileage?

In fact, it does.

Iridium spark plugs provide not only improve gas mileage, but higher reliability extended life-span and better performance.

2. When to Replace Spark Plugs?

Spark plugs have a lifespan of between 30,000 and 120,000 kilometers. Have them tested every 30,000 km, and pay attention to engine operation. If a spark plug is defective or broken, then the car lacks recovery, and it consumes too much.

When replacing the spark plugs, follow the thermal index prescribed by the manufacturer.

3. How Long Do Iridium Spark Plugs Last?

Iridium spark plugs last longer than other spark plugs, even platinum-based. With great maintenance and care, it can last up to 100,000 miles.

4. How to Tell If a Spark Plug Is Misfiring?

The car will start showing symptoms when the spark plugs are misfiring. The symptoms can be- increased exhaust emission. The engine may seem like jerking or stumbling. Vibration is one of the most common symptoms.

5. Do Unopened Spark Plugs Have A Shelf Life?

Not really.

If you keep them in a dry and cool place, they may never be damaged.

6. What Are The Symptoms Of A Faulty Spark Plug?

A faulty spark plug will show some or all of the following symptoms:

• Misfiring engine;
• Slow acceleration;
• The engine will take time to start;
• Vibration.

Final Verdict

Our review of the best spark plugs for gas mileage is nearing completion. We hope you have decided on the most suitable product; especially since we have tried to provide maximum information. We recommend before buying, review the customer response. There you will find some more hands-on information.