The benefits of upgrading spark plugs with DENSO
DENSO is an OEM with an aftermarket range, including spark plugs. Its sales and marketing manager, Kevin Peacocke, believes the performance and durability of this portfolio offers valuable profit opportunities.
If you are a forward-thinking factor, you are always looking to support your customers but being able to do so while also boosting profits is even more satisfying. One such opportunity is to recommend upgrading an older vehicle’s OE spark plugs with our advanced spark plugs, which can bring its ignition system up to the latest standards and help minimise its daily emissions levels, as well as when undergoing its annual MOT test. This is something that is a key selling point, not just to workshop customers, but also for those over the counter DIY sales.
Our twin tip (TT) spark plugs, for example, improve the combustion process to the level of a new model, which means that an older vehicle can perform better and more efficiently. The Iridium TT is exclusively designed for automotive applications, while the Iridium Power is intended for non-automotive uses, but both feature a patented 0.4mm iridium centre electrode, for optimal performance.
The reason behind these performance improvements is that DENSO Iridium Power and DENSO Iridium TT spark plugs are designed and engineered to provide more effective fuel/air ignition in the engine’s combustion chamber. They are usually achieved with a lower initial voltage requirement, which places less stress on the ignition coil, so more energy remains in the coil. This enables the ignition system to perform better under more demanding operating conditions, such as under full load acceleration.
Ultimately, upgrading standard nickel spark plugs with DENSO Iridium Power and DENSO Iridium TT alternatives brings a wide range of benefits that results in a solution that outperforms the original and makes them the ideal choice for engine performance improvements. In turn, that makes them a great option for you to promote to both your customers in the workshop and motorist approaching the counter for advice and guidance.
Looking at the various improvements these upgraded plugs deliver, power and torque outputs are an obvious starting point. Upgrading from nickel spark plugs to iridium spark plugs can provide measurable increases in these areas. Fig 1 illustrates that there was an increase in power of 3% and 4% respectively, by using Iridium Power and Iridium TT spark plugs, compared with the standard nickel type spark plugs.
These improvements are made possible by use of finer electrodes, with the Iridium TT having a ground electrode of just 0.7mm diameter and the centre electrode even smaller at 0.4mm. These finer electrodes provide less masking to the flame and significantly reduce flame quenching, compared to larger nickel electrodes. The flame is, therefore, able to grow more quickly, effectively burning more of the fuel and providing a more efficient combustion that produces more power.
When it comes to fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, upgrading from nickel spark plugs to iridium spark plugs can have an equally impressive effect, enabling the fuel to be used more efficiently during acceleration and high load conditions. Fig 2 compares Iridium Power and Iridium TT spark plugs with the standard nickel type spark plugs and reveals the improved fuel consumption that was achieved for the same amount of energy produced by the engine (kWh). This reduction in the consumption of fuel required to produce the same vehicle performance, also results in reduced CO2 emissions, because the fuel is burned more efficiently within the engine rather than in the exhaust.
Driveability is another major concern to motorists, so upgraded spark plugs that can overcome engine misfiring issues and improve the smoothness of the engine, is a great benefit to the overall driving experience.
