Alright Scotty! I’ve not seen you talk about this subject. 🙂
So I recently bought a 2008 Lexus RX 350 with 98,000 miles. I want to change the spark plugs at 100,000 miles or so. I’ve recently come across ruthenium spark plugs, which look to be the next step up from iridium spark lugs. Basically, I hear they last longer than iridium, among a few other benefits.
Are ruthenium spark plugs an acceptable upgrade from iridium plugs?
Thanks all! 🏎
Dont waste your money, Iridium spark plugs can last an eternity......
Iridium already lasts a while before you need to change them; I would stick to those (tried and true). Ruthenium’s are still new and on paper should last longer, but we’ll see in practice. Also, how many miles do you plan to drive your car over the next 10 years? If you are going to add say 100,000 miles over the next 10 years, installing Iridiums now will easily cover you over that period, which comes out to one set of spark plug change per decade.
Exactly!
‘How many miles will I drive over the next ten years’? Heck, I don’t know! 🤔
@pdiddler Sounds like you need to visit a fortune teller, with a magic ball!
😁
Right now on average a person drives about 13,500 miles a year (per the DOT). Some don’t drive much so will be lower than this, others drive more often so will be higher.
Lol, they're just working their way down the periodic table of elements 😆 What's next... diamond? Or maybe something radioactive like Thorium.
Radioactive spark plugs! I’d try those..
Uranium. Plutonium. It's coming. {black}:laughingoutloud:
Just the next gimmick.
Iridium is already overkill. Why should we start wasting even more precious metals to make, of all things, a spark plug? Shoot, the spark plug is soon to be done for as electric vehicles come into play.
Just buy Iridium and be done. You don't have a DeLorean, a friend named Doc, and a dog named Einstein. No need to go any further than that.
A spark is a spark, your engine doesn’t care.
Just use the ones (most probably iridium for your Lexus) that the OEM recommends.
If you’re worried about service life, check your current spark plugs carefully. Odds are they are still perfectly good & don’t need replacing.
Most of the time that is true. However some cars (like mine) use the spark plugs as knock sensors . What that is the case it's important to continue using the factory-specified plugs to be sure that function continues to work properly.
@chucktobias fascinating. How does that work?
It's the Saab Trionic engine management system that debuted in 1992 and was used (with revisions) through 2009.
It uses a direct ignition cassette (DIC) rather than individual coil packs. The electronics measure knock via the spark plugs as a high frequency (5-12kHz) "ringing" in the ionization signal right after the peak pressure location. The system backs off on ignition timing on individual cylinders as needed, as well as reducing turbo boost when knock is detected. For the system to work properly the factory-specified NGK plugs must be used, properly gapped. (It's also necessary to use OEM ignition cassettes, the cheap Chinese knockoffs don't work right and tend to die early deaths.) Although the engine will run best on premium gas it will adjust to any octane you feed it.
sounds expensive
The ignition cassettes are expensive but they last a pretty long time. I've had the same one on my car for 10 years now and I picked it up used for about $100. (The one that came with the car from the previous owner wasn't the right one but I kept it as a spare since it can be used in pinch.)
First we had copper. Then we had platinum, next we have iridium. Next, we'll have UNOBTAINIUM! These guys will do anything to empty your billfold.
copper is a terrible idea... how often did you change those? Every week?
No Joe, every two weeks! HA
Thanks all for your answers.
I’m not getting the vibe that ruthenium is a gimmick. It looks more like a progression from iridium, like iridium was from platinum. I think ruthenium’s main selling point is that it lasts longer than iridium, and the longer I can last between (or worry about) spark plug changes, the better.
Also, I kinda don’t wanna wait until I need to change the plugs to change them, especially since I bought the vehicle used.
🙂
I think you should be the guinea pig and try them for all of us. I expect monthly reports with review and photos. {black}:formalsmile:
😁 Ha, maybe!
you could always suggest Project Farm channel on youtube to test them out. He tested a bunch of them on his channel. May be you don't have to be the guinea pig. https://youtu.be/jcVF3xL_fzk
So. Basically. Ruthenium spark plugs are for people who live in cold northern frigid world, they have to cold star their gas engines in -40 degree in Monday mornings.
Choose iridium or platinum ones.
actually platinum is behind iridium and Ruthenium on periodic table.
Ruthenium #44
Iridium #77
Platinum #78
yup. going down in atomic number.
yup. going down in atomic number.
Would you like some iron spark plugs?
no. Iron oxidizes too readily. It would probably erode in no time. I want Tungsten.
no. Iron oxidizes too readily. It would probably erode in no time. I want Tungsten.
no. Iron oxidizes too readily. It would probably erode in no time. I want Tungsten.
Oh I know Osram/Sylvania make pretty descent Tungsten spark plugs.
I bet it costs a pretty penny