What's The Lifespan Of An Iridium Spark Plug? The average, modern iridium spark plug should last for 3-4,000 hours of engine uptime, depending on the gas quality. Each make and brand of spark plug should come with its own estimated rating for hours of use without degradation or failure.
Ordinary copper and nickel spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, unless otherwise suggested by the spark plug manufacturer. Platinum and iridium spark plugs tend to last longer than standard copper and nickel spark plugs. Expect to change them every 60,000 to 150,000 miles unless otherwise noted.
If the tip is worn down, the spark plug needs replacing. If wear is minimal, cleaning the spark plug will restore performance.
Extended lifespan: The iridium spark plugs usually have a longer lifespan that keeps you free from worries for a long time. Enhanced durability: Iridium has a silvery-white metal that is usually harder compared to platinum. The material makes iridium spark plugs the hardest in the market.
A spark plug usually lasts about 30,000 miles, but cleaning them and maintaining them periodically lets your engine perform better and increases your plugs' lifespan. If you see rust, carbon, gunk, dust, or any type of buildup during the inspection, it may be time to clean them.
Long-life platinum and iridium spark plugs will typically last up to 100,000 miles or longer provided the engine isn't using oil or doesn't spend a lot of time idling.
Luckily, spark plugs don't require replacement very often and can go years and many miles before replacement is needed. Most auto manufacturers suggest having new spark plugs installed about every 100,000 miles; however, spark plug longevity depends on the engine, condition, and spark plug type.
NGK builds two types of iridium spark plugs: OE Iridium and Iridium IX®. Every plug in the Laser Series was designed for an OEM application. All dual precious metal plugs are designed to provide maximum longevity.
There are several very simple ways to test iridium metal at home including the use of acids and flame tests. A simpler test though involves weighing the metal on a scale against a known weight of gold. If you can then melt the iridium metal, then it will be real however if it remains solid it will be fake.
You could expect low-end plugs to last from 15,000 to 30,000kms while high-quality iridium plugs might last up to 180,000kms or more.
Greater engine power from iridium spark plugs
The spark plug manufacturers are unanimous about the fact that iridium spark plugs can considerably improve the engine power. The advantage is crucial when you need to navigate through difficult driving situations or climb steep slopes.
Standard copper spark plugs last around 20,000 – 30,000 kms. The spark plugs play an important role in your engine, they produce electrical sparks that ignites the mixture of fuel and air in your engine's combustion chambers, causing the pistons to move up and down.
Comparing a normal plug (W20FS-U) with an IRIDIUM POWER (IWF22) on a 2-cycle 50cc engine, fuel consumption improved from 41.74 km/L → 43.69 km/L, an improvement of about 5%.
We don't recommend replacing iridium plugs with platinum ones. Downgrading will impact the engine's performance. However, if you already have platinum spark plugs, you can upgrade to iridium, provided you've considered the higher expense.
Why Are Iridium Spark Plugs So Expensive? Iridium spark plugs cost more than other varieties because of the scarcity of iridium itself. Iridium is an extremely rare metal that is only mined in certain locations, and global supply has been severely affected by travel and processing restrictions during the pandemic.
Investing in high-performance spark plugs is a surefire way to save some money in the long run. Better gas mileage is just the beginning. These premium spark plugs last longer than conventional plugs, which means you'll be able to go a longer time between tune-ups, keeping your maintenance costs down.
Iridium Spark Plugs – Service Life
Denso Iridium spark plugs use a much thinner electrode than even the NGK. Given how long the NGK electrodes last you could argue the NGK are over engineered and reducing their diameter would have no effect on their service life.
Aftermarket Long Life Iridium Plugs
These plugs are as good as OE iridium plugs and can last for 100,000 miles under normal driving conditions. Some popular ones in this category include Champion Iridium, Denso Iridium TT, and the Autolite Iridium plug.
Spark plugs are designed for long-term durability, meaning that they only need to be replaced between every 80,000 and 100,000 miles. However, they can become damaged earlier than expected and require replacements to avoid pricey engine repairs.
The most common signs of bad spark plugs include start-up trouble, rough idling, sluggish acceleration, declining fuel economy, engine misfiring, and engine knocking.
Generally, it's recommended that you have all the spark plugs (one for every engine cylinder) replaced at the same time. Otherwise, your vehicle might give you inconsistent performance.