Originally Posted By: BigCahuna
Since no auto mfgr actually MAKES spark plugs, No one can prove they are the best. Harley plugs are a classic example. They're made by Champion, who also sells a plug that looks exactly the same, without the Harley name on it for less $$$. With the way cars are made these days, computers control every aspect of ignition. A super duper factory trained tech could not tell just from driving a particular car ,what plugs are installed in it.Use whatever brand you want, as long as the plug mfgr says it's for your vehicle. And change them every 50-100k miles.,,
No one is suggesting that vehicle manufacturers make their own spark plugs, but each car rolls off the assembly line Originally Equipped with plugs by a particular Manufacturer (OEM). Engines are engineered around a particular spark plug with very specific attributes, and sometimes changing brands results in less than ideal operation. The two most important attributes being heat range and reach.
Quote:
Stick with oem brand, but feel free to upgrade electrode material. If you have waste spark ignition you will need double platinum or double iridium.
Sometimes when switching brands, there is something lost in the translation resulting in a hotter or colder plug. This can cause a miss or detonation.
VQ engines are a good example. They were designed around NGK plugs, have read numerous anecdotal evidence of fellow members at Maxima.org that have tried running Bosch plugs just to get misfiring a couple hundred miles later.
Almost all plug manufacturers are "good", however a brand that works good in one car, won't necessarily work good in another. Bosch in Euros, NGK in Asians, AC Delco (Often made by NGK) in GM, Autolite in Ford, etc..
Cliffs;
OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer, not Vehicle Manufacturer. Stick with recommended OEM plugs for best performance.
Since no auto mfgr actually MAKES spark plugs, No one can prove they are the best. Harley plugs are a classic example. They're made by Champion, who also sells a plug that looks exactly the same, without the Harley name on it for less $$$. With the way cars are made these days, computers control every aspect of ignition. A super duper factory trained tech could not tell just from driving a particular car ,what plugs are installed in it.Use whatever brand you want, as long as the plug mfgr says it's for your vehicle. And change them every 50-100k miles.,,
No one is suggesting that vehicle manufacturers make their own spark plugs, but each car rolls off the assembly line Originally Equipped with plugs by a particular Manufacturer (OEM). Engines are engineered around a particular spark plug with very specific attributes, and sometimes changing brands results in less than ideal operation. The two most important attributes being heat range and reach.
Quote:
Stick with oem brand, but feel free to upgrade electrode material. If you have waste spark ignition you will need double platinum or double iridium.
Sometimes when switching brands, there is something lost in the translation resulting in a hotter or colder plug. This can cause a miss or detonation.
VQ engines are a good example. They were designed around NGK plugs, have read numerous anecdotal evidence of fellow members at Maxima.org that have tried running Bosch plugs just to get misfiring a couple hundred miles later.
Almost all plug manufacturers are "good", however a brand that works good in one car, won't necessarily work good in another. Bosch in Euros, NGK in Asians, AC Delco (Often made by NGK) in GM, Autolite in Ford, etc..
Cliffs;
OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer, not Vehicle Manufacturer. Stick with recommended OEM plugs for best performance.
Last edited: