You want an electrode ? Here. PowerSTAR Performance Spark Plugs

 

Now THAT'S what I call and electrode! The center electrode on the iridium is like a needle.

 

I always use the NGKs, probably changed them out 1/2 dozen times by now, plus once on Wifey's Patriot. This time the parts guy just gave me the iridum plugs and I didn't even notice till I went to install them. The electrode is tiny, as in, like a needle! I guess I'm old school -- I'd like an electrode I can see without putting on my glasses.

Today was my first day with them and I will say Ignatz is running better than ever. Call it my imagination or a call it a self-fulfilling wish, but it does seem to have more power, particularly at low RPMS (I'm not really a high RPM guy).

I presume someone out there has used these plugs. How well do they last? That's my real concern. I can easily imagine that little electrode burning away to dust on a long trip, or even a short trip for that matter.

Please tell me about your experience.

My Mustang came with iridium plugs from the factory and they're supposed to be good for 100k mi (though I currently only have around 30k mi on it), the Pontiac G6 (LZ4 3.5L V6) I had before it also came with iridium plugs with a 100k mi maintenance interval and it still had the original plugs when I traded it in at 93k mi and ran fine. The electrode on platinum and iridium plugs really doesn't burn away like copper plugs do, my co-worker just changed the iridium plugs on his Subaru @98k mi and he said they looked like new.

 

So I wonder why Jeep mandates a 30,000 mile interval. Something more than plug life?

 

Personally, I just stick with what the factory suggests, since that's what the engine was designed to run. It's always been my belief that the newer and more exotic plugs are made for hot ignitions that are designed for highly massaged and doctored engines. Kinda like high octane fuels.

Maybe I'm simple like that, but it's how I've been doing it for years, and each of my vehicles, with the exception of the Jeep and the classic Mercedes, have well over 100K miles, or have been worked hard enough to act like they have that many miles. Heck, I have one truck with over 200K miles, and it's still running strong with the same type of plugs the book says to use.

 

The only real "advantage" of platinum/iridium plugs in a Patriot (or most "normal" cars) is increased lifespan, since the plugs aren't that hard to change on a Patriot, and while iridium plugs last 3-4 times as long as copper they also cost 3-4 times as much so there isn't much of an advantage on these specific vehicles, but vehicles with plugs that are difficult to change (most transverse mount V6s among others) there is definitely a benefit to plugs that don't need changed as often. The other major reason most auto makers have changed to platinum/iridium plugs is that most consumers have come to expect an 80-100k+ mi interval on plugs and often start complaining when their vehicle runs like crap because they have 50-60k mi on their copper plugs that should have been changed at 30k mi.

As for sticking with copper because that is what the factory used that absolutely can be valid on some engines (particularly older designs, the AMC/Jeep 4.0L I6 is known for running like crap on anything but copper), but the GEMA world engine is a modern design and should handle platinum/iridium just fine (the Hyundai and Mitsubishi variants came with them from the factory, only Chrysler used copper), and copper was used by Chrysler primarily for cost reasons (they may only save $10-15 per vehicle, but if you spread that across the hundreds of thousands of vehicles they make each year with that engine that is millions of dollars in cost savings).

So it basically comes down to how often you want to change your plugs if you don't mind changing them every 30k, stick with copper, if you want a longer (80-100k mi) maintenance interval switch to iridium/platinum. You aren't really likely to gain any performance, but any new plugs will perform better than worn plugs, so it may seem like it compared to the worn plugs you are replacing.

 

While I understand your argument, and it's a good point you made about the transverse mounted V6, for as easy as it is to get to these plugs, I'll just stick with what's there. Since I actually enjoy performing maintenance on my vehicles, this will give me something to do in 5 years.

I can see the desire for long lasting plugs on the last two plugs in the bricknose Ford trucks, since they can be a bit of a pain to reach.

 

Powerstars are snake oil, stick with the iridium.

 

I installed iridium plugs on my '08 at about 60,000 miles, and they were still working when traded at 130,000. great investment in time--not that changing plugs is a long procedure--about 15 minutes. I'll use them in my '16 when we reach about 20,000 miles...

Another point: in aviation, we use normal 2 electrode plugs, but there is also a "fine wire" plug, which is iridium. When standard plugs cost $8, the fine wire ones were approaching $20. And the plugs had to be removed at least once a year for cylinder inspection, so no real time saving there either.

 

I have Powerstar plugs in my Patriot been in there for several years. I just had to try them Snakeoil Spark Plugs. They work real well. Let'er rip SNAKEOIL SALESMEN. :grin2:

 

I've used platinum/iridium/plutonium plugs for at least the past 30 years without problem. I would never waste time with copper plugs. If you plan ahead you can get these plugs with a rebate, so any cost premium is minimal.

 

I forget what I paid but I don't think they were 4 times as much. I'm thinking around $20 for the 4 of them, so roughly $5 each. If it had been more than $25 I would have questioned it.

With a whole weekend of driving with them, I'm still reasonably impressed. Its hard to evaluate when they're not side-by-side, but my Patriot certainly runs better with new plugs. Whether its these iridium plugs in particular or if any new plugs would be as good, I can't say. I'm leaning toward the iridiums performing better. I'm basing that on some long hills where I didn't lose ground while holding it in a particular 'gear' with the autostick. That controls for the tendency to drive harder after making a change, like adding a new air filter, fuel injector treatment, or in this case spark plugs. Just stomping on the gas and saying it performs better is a fool's logic. I tried to make this as 'real world' as possible.

 

Just to stir the pot, which Platinum/Iridium NGK plugs are you guys using?

NGK makes FIVE different plug versions, only 4 of which are recommended at their web site for the Patriot:

V Power - OEM design conventional "copper core"* with nickel center/nickel ground electrodes. Short life

G Power - an NGK after market design with platinum center/nickel ground electrodes. Medium life

Iridium IX - an NGK after market design with iridium center/nickel ground electrodes. Medium life

Laser Platinum - OEM design with platinum center/platinum "puck" ground electrodes. Long life

Laser Iridium - OEM design with iridium center/platinum "puck" ground electrodes. Long life


The NGK site does not list the Laser Iridium in its application chart for the Patriot. NGK implies that "OEM designs" are manufacturer approved per application and that their "aftermarket designs" are NGK versions that might give improved performance (performance = power, longevity, or both?? you tell me).

*Note: most/all plugs have "copper cores", a generic "Kleenex" term for conventional plugs.

 

Ya had ta make it difficult, didn't cha? I guess I got whichever was cheapest. I just told the guy a 2008 Patriot 2.4 and whatever he gave me. As I said at the start I didn't even think twice. The price was about what I expected and I didn't even notice they were iridium until I went to do the work probably a week or two later. My only question at that point was to be sure they would properly fit, threaded the same, not too deep. A quick eyeballing said I was OK, so in they went.

 

Yup, my 100k iridiums are copper cored.

 

If you haven't already you might consider "High Mileage" oils for your changes. With their additives and formulations you might be able to get a touch more compression back. Lucas and moly additives can also make a difference.
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