Thursday, August 28, 2008

Gas Mileage Increase Tip - Spark Plug Performance

By Bryan Alan


Price levels for oil are gliding up to unprecedented highs. This is caused fuel to increase to prices never seen before. The average level of fuel per gallon is in the $4 range now, and most folks are looking for alternatives to increase mileage. Thankfully, there are several ways to increase mileage without breaking the bank.

First, having basic knowledge of how your engine works will help understand what changes can be made. An automobile engine takes minute amounts of fuel and air into each piston chamber. This mixture is then pressurized by the piston moving upward. This pressurized mixture explodes through a spark transmitted by the spark plug.

This ignition/explosion of the mixture is the power that is used to transfer motion to through the engine into the components of your vehicle to propel the vehicle forward. This process is repeated thousands of times per minute (think RPM's). Also, each piston chamber in your car produces this same result over and over - for example, a V-6 engine means there are 6 chambers doing this, and 6 spark plugs to support.

Making this process of energy transfer work better is a key to increase mileage. Lets discuss the role your spark plug plays specifically. The amount of spark the plug is able to send into the chamber is directly related to the quality of the plug itself. The more air tight the seals on the plug, and the higher the platinum level in the plug, the more efficient the charge sent will be. A more efficient charge means less additional charge is needed to get the same output level. Thus, less RPM's and less fuel is used.

Your vehicle will operate more efficiently with new performance level spark plugs. Most plugs will get you an additional two to four percent increase in fuel mileage. Fortunately, a great performing plug is also inexpensive - usually around $4 each. This makes your return on investment very attractive.

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