Instructions for selecting Bugaets spark plugs

The correct combustion of the working mixture in the cylinders determines the productivity and full efficiency of the engine. In a gasoline-powered power unit, this process largely depends on the serviceability of the spark plugs. This element requires special attention and regular replacement.

The topic of our article today is spark plugs, the selection of which for a car is carried out in accordance with certain characteristics of the car engine and the elements themselves. Let's look at this in more detail.

Characteristics of SZ

Today, the catalog of spark plugs by car brand is so extensive that every car owner can easily select the ideal products for his car. But to choose the right SZ, you need to know exactly how to select spark plugs according to the make of the car.

Knowledge of the basic parameters and performance characteristics of products, as well as the markings applied to them, will help in resolving this issue.

Spark plug Denso

SZ parameters

When choosing a car owner, a car owner often trusts the recommendations of the seller or car service technicians. But you can choose the right products in accordance with the technical requirements of the car yourself. When purchasing these products, you must be guided by the following:

• SZ must ideally fit certain dimensions;
• the heat indicator must correspond to a certain type of power unit;
• SZ must be of the highest quality and, most importantly, original.

Let us tell you in more detail about the main parameters of SZ.

Heat index

This indicator indicates the ability to cool and maintain the required operating temperature of the electrodes during engine operation. The heat value of newly installed spark plugs must correspond to the heat value of the standard spark plugs, otherwise the power unit will function unstably - “cold” spark plugs will become covered with soot or begin to detonate - “hot” spark plugs will overheat.

This is a value that takes into account the degree of acceleration when starting the car engine. Elements with a low heat index (from 11 to 14) are suitable for engines with light loads. For power units with a power of 100 hp. and higher per liter of fuel, products that have a “cold” (more than 20) or average (from 17 to 19) heat index value are suitable.

Selection of candles

Number of electrodes

Most often, motorists use elements that have 2 electrodes - head and side. Although, the quality of spark formation for such samples is no worse than that of multi-electrode elements only at the initial stage. SZ, which are equipped with several electrodes on the sides, maintain properties for a long time, subject to their originality.

Note that in multi-electrode models, the charge appears between the main/central electrode and the side element, which is located closer to it. In addition, the wear of the electrodes in such samples occurs evenly. Let’s say that if one of the electrodes fails or breaks, it is replaced by another, working element. As a result, the electrodes will begin to replace each other until they all break.

Electrode material

Basically, SZ is made from alloy steel, adding nickel and manganese to it. But today, car owners are increasingly choosing spark plugs with platinum or iridium.

Spark plug

Iridium spark plugs are equipped with a tip made of this material . This type of spark plug is recognized as one of the most expensive, but extremely reliable, since iridium is one of the hardest metals. It perfectly resists corrosion and electrical discharges of various powers. The size of the electrode in this product is approximately 0.6mm.

Platinum SZ. The electrode in these products is smaller in size, but is still capable of providing higher power at the moment of sparking. This allows for high engine power overall. As many manufacturers claim, the service life of the platinum sample increases to 100,000 km. Due to the small size of the electrodes, this product provides a consistently low sparking voltage, significant fuel savings and a constant gap throughout the entire period of operation.

Products with platinum or iridium electrodes work correctly with increased mileage up to 100,000 km, but the price of a set of such spark plugs is slightly higher than that of conventional spark plugs.

Product geometry

The geometric indicators of the SZ include:

• metric thread in the body (10x1.0, 12x1.25, 14x1.25, 18x1.5);
• length of the threaded part (9.5, 12.7, 26.5 mm);
• hexagon outer diameter (16, 19 mm).

The importance of accurate selection of SZ in size is justified not only by ease of installation and optimal sparking. For example, a specimen with a “short skirt” will ignite not in the central part of the combustion chamber, which will immediately affect the moment of combustion, in particular, its timeliness.

SZ marking

Independent selection of spark plugs by car brand will be greatly simplified if you read the markings on the products. It provides the motorist with important information about the parameters of each specific product.

SZ marking

As an example, consider the marking from a Bosch product with the index WR 17 DDC 9. It stands for:

• symbol W – indicator of the metric thread on the body (in this example it is 14x1.25);
• symbol R - the presence of a resistor that suppresses various interferences;
• value 17 – heat index of the product;
• DD symbols - the first is the thread length (19mm), and the second indicates the presence of one electrode on the side;
• symbol C - indicates the use of copper as a material in the manufacture of the key electrode.

Before visiting the store, you should select the appropriate modification based on a special table, taking into account the characteristics of the motor. Although today, with the help of special services, you can select spark plugs by car brand online. This is a simple search form that allows you to make the best choice.

Variety of SZ assortment

The materials from which SZ electrodes are made today (copper, iridium, platinum) were mentioned just above. But it should be said about other types of candles offered by product manufacturers:

1. Spark plugs are standard type. For these SZ, the main electrode is made of heat-resistant metal (alloy steel with the addition of manganese and nickel, copper). The service life of such products is not too long compared to other types of SZ. But because of its affordable cost, standard SZ remains the most common and in demand.
2. Spark plugs with multiple electrodes. A design feature of these products is the presence of additional electrodes on the sides. Their number can vary: from 2 or more. An increase in the number of electrodes is reflected in the period of correct operation of the products. The main difference with standard type spark plugs is the ability to change the direction of the spark, because of this the electrodes “burn” much less often.
3. Spark plugs with a V-shaped notch on the head electrode. Although the shape of the electrode itself is slightly changed, this does not in any way affect the service life of the product. But, this ensures better ignition of the fuel mixture, which, in turn, affects fuel consumption and reduces exhaust volumes.
4. Pre-chamber type candles have recently appeared on sale. In these products, the electrodes assume a design in the form of a rocket nozzle (pre-chambers). When a high-voltage discharge arrives at the spark plug, a breakdown appears in the gaps of the products, and this leads to the displacement of plasma clots through pressure into the combustion chamber. At the same time, the working mixture is ignited in the pre-chamber of the product. Combustion products enter the engine at high speeds through the nozzle, thereby igniting the working mixture (ordinary spark plugs provide point ignition). Due to this, there is a significant increase in speeds, complete combustion of the fuel mixture, engine power increases, and exhaust toxicity decreases.

Variety of candles

NGK spark plug catalog

The product catalog for the NGK ignition system is very extensive. The company produces spark plugs not only for cars, but also for motorcycles, boat engines, as well as for garden equipment and much more. Their design has long been established, and it is almost impossible to come up with something new, but NGK does not miss the slightest chance to improve the performance of its candles. Let's look at the main types and characteristics of NGK spark plugs:

Main types of NGK spark plugs

• Standard, with one electrode, which are installed on most brands of cars. Their distinctive feature is that the company’s engineers made a v-shaped notch on the electrode, which made it possible to redistribute the potentials to the periphery, where a larger amount of gasoline vapor accumulates. This innovation guarantees 100% ignition.
• Multi-electrode, they have a redundant operating principle, forming a stable spark, even in conditions of low-quality fuel.
• With an additional spark gap, designed for operation in conditions of increased soot.
• With a semi-sliding surface discharge - they provide a cold start, even if the insulator is sooted, and soot combustion occurs at a temperature below the self-cleaning temperature.
• Spark plugs with iridium tip . They have an iridium tip at the end of the middle electrode. Iridium is the strongest metal available today. It is very resistant to spark erosion. The service life is at least twice as long as a regular candle.
• Platinum. These spark plugs have a platinum plate welded onto the electrode. Such candles have constant power throughout their entire service life.
• Hybrid - combine spark plugs with a platinum tip and a semi-sliding surface discharge.
• Racing. They withstand enormous loads. High levels of pressure, temperatures, vibration. It has a ring-shaped side electrode that prevents the spark from jumping; the spark slides to the middle electrode.
• LPG LaserLine from NGK are specially designed for gas engines. The iridium tip and platinum inserts on the electrodes perfectly withstand elevated gas combustion temperatures. These spark plugs have a special coating that protects the body and copper core of the middle electrode from overheating.

Article on the topic: Daytime running lights (LED), do-it-yourself installation
Such a variety of modifications allows you to select NLC products for any car.

SZ manufacturer selection

When purchasing spark plugs, car owners are often faced with the choice of whether to choose products recommended by the car manufacturer and designed to work with a specific type of engine, or buy affordable analogues. Among the largest manufacturers offering a wide range of SZ, we can highlight:

NW Bosch. The company has been offering consumers high-quality and reliable products for decades. In total, more than 20,000 different modifications were produced. By purchasing original spark plugs from this manufacturer, the car owner ensures efficient, long-lasting and most correct engine operation.

NGK also offers an extensive range of SZ. With almost a century of history, the manufacturer offers the highest quality products for mass-produced cars. The cost of one candle is approximately 100 rubles.

Denso produces spark plugs that are used by the champion of the world automotive industry - Toyota. Which is a guarantee of the high quality of Denso products.

Spark plug markings

The Champion company is a world-famous manufacturer of SZ. It produces products of various types, in particular, for two-stroke engines with high rpm.

When selecting the optimal option, it is necessary to take into account not only certain technical indicators, but also the recommended replacement period. For a short period of time, there is no need to purchase a product with a service life of 120,000 km.

A good product, for example Finval/Brisk, ensures correct sparking and optimal fuel consumption for the period until the next replacement.

Operating period

The procedure for replacing elements in the ignition system in a car requires different timing for such actions. For popular cars, for example, Renault Logan (2nd generation), Hyundai Solaris, Lada Priora, this interval is set at 30,000 km. Information on the frequency of replacing spark plugs is usually contained in the technical documentation for the car.

If you intend to connect new spark plugs, you should replace the complete set, without taking into account the actual condition of each element individually. In this case, the motor will not “triple” after a short period of time.

SZ device

The list of symptoms of sparking disorders includes:

• significant increase in fuel consumption;
• vibrations that appear in the operation of the motor;
• difficulty starting the engine;
• “failures” in operation under certain modes.

Useful tips

1. It should be noted that the manual for the car contains a list of safety equipment recommended by the manufacturer at the time of its release from the assembly line. But the situation may change and the list of elements suitable for their characteristics often turns out to be wider. To facilitate the choice, there are corresponding tables of interchangeability of SZ presented for sale.
2. In addition, there are special services on the Internet that allow you to quickly select spark plugs based on the make and model of your car. To do this, you will need to specify the car model, VIN and engine size. Such services usually offer several options that are suitable for the specified vehicle model.
3. When purchasing candles, you should carefully examine the elements themselves and their packaging. The products must not be chipped, damaged or defective. When purchasing new spark plugs at a car dealership, find out about the possibility of checking their performance using testing equipment. Dealers with a good reputation are guaranteed to have it.
4. In conclusion, we note that the selection of products for machines with gas equipment requires a serious approach. When purchasing, you should consult with gas equipment installers and ask the seller to carefully consider resolving this issue.

Spark plug interchangeability table

When choosing SZ by car make, make sure that the selected spark plugs are suitable for use in your car (the list of vehicles is usually indicated on the product packaging). In addition, pay attention to the reputation of the seller (this especially applies to online stores), since today there are a huge number of fakes on sale.

The original or a fake?

If everything is clear with the heat rating and other characteristics, let’s move on to the issue of selection. In order to correctly select the SZ for supplying a spark from a coil with a high service life and resource, you must be able to distinguish the original from the fake.

1. To ensure a high service life and resource, first of all pay attention to the quality of the inscriptions and drawings on the candle. Fakes have errors, the inscriptions may be uneven, while with the originals everything is done perfectly. In addition, fake SZ may have the wrong logo - instead of NGK it could be MGK, MCK, etc.
2. When selecting a spark plug with a good resource and service life, inspect the electrode - it should be central, and the rod itself should be copper. The side electrode must be installed level.
3. On the original with a high service life, as confirmed by reviews, there is a batch code on the hexagon, this must be taken into account when selecting.
4. Also, when selecting SZ for your car, pay attention to the thread - in originals with a long service life, it is knurled, its surface is smooth.

This is interesting: Cleaning spark plugs at home

It is recommended to change SZ every 20 thousand kilometers, and iridium and platinum - after 80 thousand.