Champion spark plug: Copper plus vs Platinum

[summerman]

Don't want to spend too much on my 12-year old Windstar (240Kkm), anybody know how difference between these two plugs regarding the performance, start time, durability etc.? Thanks in advance!

[ichpen]

Don't want to spend too much on my 12-year old Windstar (240Kkm), anybody know how difference between these two plugs regarding the performance, start time, durability etc.? Thanks in advance!

For your car copper will do fine. The only benefit of Platinum and Iridium is longer life in the range of 100k miles. Frankly if it's easy to change spark plugs/dist. cap on your vehicle then change them often with copper ones. The proviso being that if your car is like mine and almost requires a f*****g engine wench to get to the plugs then longer lasting ones begin to make sense.

[cwb27]

There are some vehicles that specify platinum or double platinum plugs. Unless you know what you're doing always go with the car's OEM spec.

[Pete_Coach]

Don't want to spend too much on my 12-year old Windstar (240Kkm), anybody know how difference between these two plugs regarding the performance, start time, durability etc.? Thanks in advance!
You have a twelve year old vehicle that will not benifit from any new technology in the ignition system. If you wish to increase ignition performance you must go the whole route, wires, cap, rotor, coils, plugs etc but it would still not make your vehicle perform any better.
Your best bet is an old style tune up...plugs, wires, cap and rotor as the OEM recommends. Total cost for this would be around $100 worth of parts.

[mau108]

IMHO if your low on cash and dont mind changing the plugs often go for the copper stuff, every 20k change it up.

If your ok on cash and lazy as ass go for Iridium or Platinum (if you have a good car go iridium, platinum isnt all that).

[downloader]

get the long life plugs, with a V6 windstar you don't want to change them every 20k. Its a pain in the ass. Good luck

[Pete_Coach]

get the long life plugs, with a V6 windstar you don't want to change them every 20k. Its a pain in the ass. Good luck
Your reasons are? Long life plugs versus what? Where does it identify "long life". 20 K changes, where do you get those numbers?
The Windstar has 240K kilometeres on it.

[B0000rt]

Your reasons are? Long life plugs versus what? Where does it identify "long life". 20 K changes, where do you get those numbers?
The Windstar has 240K kilometeres on it.
Long life plugs versus regular $2 plugs. Platinum plugs are usually long life (the AC Delco ones found in all GM vehicles are rated to last 160,000 kms).

With regular plugs, you usually do a tuneup every year, or 20,000 kms.

[mau108]

Long life plugs versus regular $2 plugs. Platinum plugs are usually long life (the AC Delco ones found in all GM vehicles are rated to last 160,000 kms).

With regular plugs, you usually do a tuneup every year, or 20,000 kms.


160,000? you gotta be kidding me ... no more then 100,000 and thats if you dont give a **** about your car, if you do, 50k and thats it.

[B0000rt]

160,000? you gotta be kidding me ... no more then 100,000 and thats if you dont give a **** about your car, if you do, 50k and thats it.
Heh yeah, well it's RATED to last 160,000kms. Meaning the plugs themselves will last that long in a perfect engine. But not all engines are perfect and will undoubtly mess up the plugs :p

[downloader]

Have you ever changed plugs on a Windstar? its a pain in the ass. With the long life ones, it might be the last time you do it.

[B0000rt]

I'm pretty sure ALL transversely mounted V-engines are a ***** to get at the back plugs that are jammed up beside the firewall!

[summerman]

I will go for the double platinum plugs after the research, since some strange issue might be developed if use the regular plugs. Anyway, changing the plugs on Windstar is really pain.

Thanks for all reply!

[ichpen]

I'm pretty sure ALL transversely mounted V-engines are a ***** to get at the back plugs that are jammed up beside the firewall!


Here here...

I'll pay a dealership $100+ to change them next time.

I know Iridium ones are rated for 100,000 miles (that's roughly 170k km).

[B0000rt]

Here here...

I'll pay a dealership $100+ to change them next time.

I know Iridium ones are rated for 100,000 miles (that's roughly 170k km).
Heh yeah. But I manage though, I'm a tall skinny guy, with long skinny arms, and long skinny fingers, so that helps alot :D I usually come out with scrapes and bleeds after doing a transervse V8, but not anymore, the only FWD car in the household is a V6 :D :D

[ichpen]

Heh yeah. But I manage though, I'm a tall skinny guy, with long skinny arms, and long skinny fingers, so that helps alot :D I usually come out with scrapes and bleeds after doing a transervse V8, but not anymore, the only FWD car in the household is a V6 :D :D

I still have scar tissue from my last crank pulley installation damnit.... Need to change my plugs soon and I don't know if I can take the frustration again...

[contoursvt]

I'm pretty sure ALL transversely mounted V-engines are a ***** to get at the back plugs that are jammed up beside the firewall!

Takes me 15 minutes to change 6 plugs in my Contour SVT which infact looks like it would be impossible to get to the back plugs but in reality, if you know where they are, you practically dont need to look. I think its about doing it once yourself and knowing the tricks to get at everything.

Also, my car is supposed to use platinums but I find that it runs best with Champion coppers. Just seems to idle a bit smoother. I do have to change them more frequently but thats fine.