In order for the fuel in the vehicle engine to burn out in full, it requires a correctly selected ignition source. In a gasoline-powered engine, a special spark plug acts as such a device; it ignites the fuel with an electric discharge. This part directly affects the durability of the engine.
Therefore, we decided to devote our today's review to this particular product. In it you will find information on the main characteristics of the candles, the key rules for their choice. Before you begin to consider models, you need to understand what exactly you should pay attention to when buying such products.
Summary of the rating:
Rules for choosing spark plugs
For the first time, such products were released more than a hundred years ago, today the design of candles is significantly improved, and there are several types - each for a certain type of engine. Spark plugs are designed for gasoline engines, glow plugs are designed for diesel engines.
Spark plugs differ in the number of electrodes - mono-electrode or multi-electrode, there are also torch products. One of the most important parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing spark plugs is the glow number. It allows you to display the ability of the product to provide ignition and combustion of the fuel-air mixture in the engine cylinder.
If the candle is not able to warm up to the required temperature, then the fuel does not burn completely, because of this there is soot on the candle, due to which the period of its operation is significantly reduced. If the candle heats up too much, then ignition will occur not from a spark, but from a high temperature. Because of this, the engine valves can burn out, change their geometric shapes. Ultimately, the motor will fail and will need to be overhauled.
For engines with small afterburners, the most suitable are hot candles with a glow number of 11-14, cold candles (value above 20) are optimal for powerful motors. Unified candles are characterized by a semi-open structure, so that they practically do not clog during operation.
Another important point is the spark gap, that is, the distance between the electrodes of the candle, in the very place where the spark occurs. Manually changing this parameter is strictly prohibited. This can lead to the fact that the spark will not occur at all. The overall dimensions are very important, since if the candle has a different thread, diameter and other parameters, then it will simply not be suitable for this engine.
Pay attention to what materials this product is made of. The side electrode is made of alloy steel, nickel or manganese is used as the alloying material - these elements are characterized by a long period of operation. The central electrode is made of nickel or an alloy of copper and nickel. Such candles well resist the occurrence of soot and the formation of other contaminants, which also prolongs the life of the structure.
When compiling our rating of the best spark plugs, we took into account not only these factors, but also the ratio of price and quality.Feedback from users and professional motorists and employees of service stations was also taken into account. We hope that after studying our review, you will be able to choose the best option for spark plugs for your vehicle.
Top 10 Good Spark Plugs
10. Bosch FR7DCX
Open our rating candles domestic production, developed by qualified German specialists. This product is characterized in that it is made from a rare alloy of nickel and yttrium, so that the central electrode acquires high reliability. This allows for a sufficiently long period of operation of the product. Alloying of steel occurs in automatic mode, due to which the build quality of each model is at its best. Yttrium allows you to increase the ignition efficiency, in addition, this element allows you to reduce fuel consumption.
Changing such candles will not have to be too often, so they are best suited 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 allows you to reduce the wear rate and make the performance of the candle much higher. The distance between the electrodes is 0.9 mm - this is enough to ensure a stable spark and complete combustion of the fuel mixture in the cylinder. For automatic gearboxes, it does not fit very well, the candle shows itself best in a manual box.
Benefits:
- Durability;
- Universality;
- The spark is stable;
- Good value for money;
- Reasonable cost.
Disadvantages:
- Not very well show their capabilities in engines with automatic transmission.
9. Beru Z193
These are quite popular spark plugs, which differ in a fairly low cost. They can confidently serve from one maintenance to another. Especially high results cannot be expected from them, however, these products are characterized by stable operation, including at high engine speeds. For lovers of fast driving, they are unlikely to fit, but for the average motorist will be optimal. This is a single-electrode design, therefore, it will serve somewhat less compared to multi-electrode ones. Due to the low price they are not faked, so you can be sure of purchasing the original.
The spark gap is not too large, due to which it is possible to start the engine even with a dead battery, but this leads to a decrease in the power of the spark. If the gasoline in the engine is not of very high quality, this ultimately leads to sporadic misfires, especially if the engine has significant loads. The central electrode is somewhat recessed, which is why ventilation of the spark gap is difficult, respectively, soot will begin to appear there.
Benefits:
- Reasonable cost;
- You can start the engine even if the battery is low;
- There are no fake products on the market;
- Well suited for motorists who do not allow peak engine loads.
Disadvantages:
- Low spark power;
- The electrode is recessed, resulting in carbon deposits.
8. Denso K20TXR
These are candles made in Japan, have a nickel coating, due to which they are resistant to erosion and have a long period of operation. The side electrodes have smooth stamping, are perfectly soldered, and there are no distortions. This allows you to ensure the stability of the formation of sparks, reduced fuel consumption. High quality workmanship allows candles to work out up to 40 thousand kilometers, even if not very high-class fuel is used.
The gap between the electrodes is not too large, which ensures the formation of a good spark even when the voltage in the car’s electrical network is not very high. Candles, together with an iridium coating, are treated with platinum and have a simple design.
Benefits:
- The cost is quite acceptable, despite the fact that precious metals are used in their manufacture;
- The period of operation is much higher compared to cheaper products;
- On sale you can find modifications that are suitable for most models of vehicles running both on gasoline and diesel fuel;
- Candles are automatically cleaned at high engine speeds;
- Very dense sealing ring, which reduces oil consumption;
- The thread is reliable.
Disadvantages:
- It is better not to keep the engine idling; a carbon deposit begins to form on candles;
- You have to adjust the standard clearance before replacing the candles.
7. NGK BKR6EK (2288)
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 gearboxes. However, some drivers with automatic transmissions complain that they are not picking up speed too fast. These are Japanese-made products, some car owners are not too flattering about them, but this is due to the fact that there are a large number of counterfeit products on the market, which can often be almost impossible to distinguish from the original.
The cost of such products is quite acceptable, however, such spark plugs are characterized by a very long period of operation - about 30 thousand kilometers. Products have an iridium coating, this allows you to normalize the consumption of gasoline, regardless of its quality. If high-octane fuel is poured into the gas tank, the mileage can be doubled - up to 60-65 thousand kilometers. This option is optimal for drivers who want to ensure stable and serviceable engine operation, especially at medium speeds.
Benefits:
- It can be found in almost every auto parts store;
- If the products are original, then the quality is on top;
- The spark is very stable;
- Long period of operation;
- A great option for a relatively new engine;
- It has a reliable central electrode insulator. Even with high mileage, it will not crack.
Disadvantages:
- There are a lot of counterfeit products on the shelves;
- These spark plugs are quite sensitive to fuel quality.
6. Bosch Platinum WR7DP
In terms of the arrangement of the central electrode, these spark plugs are unique products. The core is quite thin, it is made in such a way that it is almost flush with the insulator made of ceramic materials. This allows you to give the spark a kind of plasma discharge, which will behave stably even if the voltage in the vehicle’s electrical network is weak. Candles are characterized by durability - from one replacement to another, a car can travel up to 55-60 thousand kilometers. Such indicators can be achieved largely due to the presence of platinum spraying.
The quality of production is at its best, like most German-made products. Due to the fact that these candles are quite popular in the market, they are often faked, but counterfeiting is very easy to determine - by the quality of the manufacture of the insulator, the reduced distance between the electrodes and a number of other factors.
Benefits:
- The original design of the central electrode;
- The spark has the appearance of a plasma arc;
- Reasonable cost;
- It works well even at low voltage;
- On sale there are modifications to various brands and models of cars.
Disadvantages:
- Fuel consumption is slightly increased;
- There are quite a lot of counterfeit products on the market.
5.Brisk Extra Dr15Tc-1
In our review of the best spark plugs of the year, this is the first product that has several electrodes, which greatly improves the efficiency of the product. Unfortunately, this product will not be affordable for all vehicle owners. However, these candles 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, which are somewhat lowered in relation to the cut of the rod. As a result, the generated sparks pass to the central electrode along the entire length of the open part; therefore, the air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine cylinder will ignite rather quickly.
Such candles can significantly save fuel. They have an excellent insulator that will not crack during operation. Thanks to the original design, these candles almost never fake.
Benefits:
- Excellent production quality, no defects on candles can be found;
- Quite acceptable cost;
- Excellent system of protection against spark erosion;
- Candles well resist the occurrence of corrosion processes;
- There are rather wide slots on the nut;
- Sufficiently long service life for products that do not have a coating of noble metals.
Disadvantages:
- It is not very convenient to adjust the gap, since the side electrodes have increased strength;
- If the engine is running on liquefied gas, the engine is not running at full power.
4. Denso PK20PR-P8
They are one of the best in terms of wear resistance - the manufacturer was able to achieve this effect largely due to the use of plastic brazing. It is present on both the central and the ground electrode. Manufacturing technology is fully automated, spark plugs are made in Japanese factories. Quality control is very strict. The design provides two electrodes, due to which the engine can be ignited even in the case of a low level of positive charge. Such candles are perfect for Russian conditions, as the engine will start easily with ease even at low temperatures.
The use of platinum spraying allows you to achieve another important positive effect - candles well resist the occurrence of erosion and corrosion processes. Platinum improves resistance to mechanical stress. Such candles can reduce fuel consumption, on sale you can find products designed for many brands and models of engines.
Benefits:
- Long period of operation;
- High quality workmanship;
- Reasonable cost.
Disadvantages:
- For Renault cars, the gap between the electrodes is not very suitable.
3. Beru Ultra-X 79
In third place in our review of the best spark plugs is this model, which is characterized by excellent consumer qualities, which is reflected in the positive feedback from consumers. These candles are perfect for gasoline or diesel engines, as well as for cars running on liquefied gas. It is worth noting that the manufacturer initially stated that these products will not function in engines where gas is used as fuel, but users claim the opposite.
The candle has four electrodes, which are differently removed from the core: two of them have a gap of 0.8 mm, all the others are 1.2 mm behind it. This allows you to achieve the stability of the spark under various operating conditions of the vehicle, in particular, it will be quite stable, even when the insulator is heavily smoky. The result is a simulated surface discharge with a standard design.
Benefits:
- Among multi-electrode products, these products are the most economical;
- Exhaust toxicity is minimal;
- Even if the electrodes are very dirty, the spark is very reliable;
- A running engine begins to make less noise;
- They showed themselves well in liquefied gas engines.
Disadvantages:
- There is no way to set the required clearance depending on the vehicle specification.
2. NGK BKR6EIX (6418)
These are products with iridium sputtering; in their quality they are significantly superior to most analogues. The interelectrode gap here is 0.8 mm. Such spark plugs are optimally suited for a new engine in which oil consumption is practically not noticeable. The reduced clearance allows you to get a stable spark, so the engine will start even if the battery is almost completely discharged. The resource of work is quite long - it can reach about 50 thousand kilometers. If high-octane gasoline is poured into the gas tank, this figure can increase up to 65 thousand. There is not much difference compared to inexpensive candles in terms of fuel economy, but the service life of this model is much longer.
There are two electrodes here - one central, the second side. This option is well suited for car enthusiasts who are interested in ensuring that the engine runs stably and properly. The build quality is very high, and the products are well resistant to erosion and corrosion, which makes the service life even longer.
Benefits:
- It can be found in almost every parts store;
- Long service life;
- The electrodes are coated with iridium;
- Workmanship is high.
Disadvantages:
- High cost, however, it is more than compensated by the quality of production and service life.
1. NGK B9Eg-3530
Recognized leader among all spark plugs available on the Russian auto parts market. Today, similar products are installed on most new cars that are just off the assembly line. Defective products are not found at all. The spark is powerful enough, which allows the ignition of the fuel-air mixture, even of low quality. The electrode has a nickel coating, so the candle works stably throughout its entire period of operation.
The manufacturer recommends changing candles every 30 thousand kilometers, but when using gasoline with a high octane rating, this figure can almost double. Candles do not accumulate soot on the surface, well withstand physical and thermal stresses, tightly enter, due to which oil consumption is significantly reduced, and some fuel economy is also achieved.
Benefits:
- Long service life;
- High quality workmanship;
- Spark stability;
- Saving oil and fuel.
Disadvantages:
- Except for the high price not found.
Finally, a useful video
Our review of the best spark plugs is nearing completion. We hope that you were able to decide on the most suitable product, especially since for each considered model we tried to give a maximum of information. If you have some questions, you can ask them in the comments to this article. We will try to quickly respond to them.