How do spark plugs affect engine performance?

1. The impact of ignition performance on combustion efficiency
The main function of a spark plug is to generate an electric spark to ignite the mixture, thereby initiating a combustion reaction. If the performance of the spark plug deteriorates, such as carbon deposits, aging, or improper gaps, it will lead to insufficient ignition energy or incomplete ignition, which will in turn affect combustion efficiency. Incomplete combustion will increase the emission of unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO), while reducing the engine's power output and fuel economy

2. Power performance
The performance of the spark plug directly affects the engine's power output. If the spark plug is damaged or aged, it may cause problems such as reduced engine power, weak acceleration, and unstable idle speed. For example, a spark plug failure in one cylinder will cause the cylinder to not work properly, thereby reducing the overall output power of the engine. In addition, improper selection of the calorific value of the spark plug (too high or too low) will also cause unstable engine operation, further affecting power performance

3. Fuel economy
The performance of the spark plug has a significant impact on fuel economy. Good ignition performance can ensure that the mixture is fully burned, reduce fuel waste, and thus reduce fuel consumption. On the contrary, if the spark plug performance is poor, incomplete combustion will lead to reduced fuel utilization and increased fuel consumption. For example, studies have shown that side gap spark plugs can significantly reduce fuel consumption under certain operating conditions

4. Emission level
The performance of the spark plug will also affect the emission level of the engine. Incomplete combustion will lead to increased emissions of harmful gases (such as HC, CO and NOx), thereby worsening environmental quality. For example, side gap spark plugs can reduce carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions at certain speeds while increasing nitrogen oxide emissions

5. Engine durability
Wear or damage to the spark plug will not only affect the immediate performance of the engine, but also accelerate the wear of engine components. For example, excessive carbon deposits will increase the resistance of the spark plug and affect the ignition efficiency. It will also cause more carbon deposits inside the engine and increase the wear of the piston rings and cylinder walls. Regular replacement of spark plugs can extend the service life of the engine and reduce maintenance costs

6. The importance of installation and maintenance
Improper installation torque or incorrect gap adjustment of the spark plug will also have an adverse effect on engine performance. For example, too little installation torque may lead to insufficient sealing and cause air leakage; too 
much torque may damage the threads or cause cylinder pulling. In addition, the cleanliness and electrode material of the spark plug will also affect its performance.

7. The impact of different types of spark plugs on performance
Different types of spark plugs (such as side gap spark plugs, single-pole spark plugs, bipolar spark plugs, etc.) have different effects on engine performance. For example:
Side gap spark plugs: Studies have shown that side gap spark plugs can improve engine performance and fuel economy while reducing emissions under certain conditions.
Platinum + 4 spark plugs: This type of spark plug exhibits better combustion efficiency and lower emissions at high speeds
Cold and hot spark plugs: Cold spark plugs are suitable for high-performance engines, while hot spark plugs are more suitable for low-power, low-compression ratio engines.