Car Tech That Is A Total Waste Of Money

Without spark plugs, we would have no gasoline engines at all. They are the component that sets the fuel ablaze, turning liquid fuel into energy. The technology of spark plugs has come a long way over the last 120 years. At one time not long ago, sparks plugs regularly wore out, and required regular replacement. Today’s vehicles recommend changing spark plugs at intervals of 100,000 miles or more (via Jiffy Lube).

The spark plug today is not much different from the one used by Karl Benz in his Motorwagen in 1885. The form, construction, and parts of the plug have remained consistent through the decades, but the materials have changed drastically. Advancements in metallurgy, allowing manufacturers to switch from using nickel to platinum, iridium, and, most recently, ruthenium, have spurred dramatic improvements in the durability and performance of modern plugs (via Tomorrow’s Technician).

Despite the significant improvements in spark plugs, they still come with many options, price levels, and performance grades. But are the top-tier plugs worth it? According to MotorBiscuit, the newer plugs help primarily in extending longevity. Modern cars’ computer systems optimize performance through a variety of means. As such, fancier plugs likely will not make any difference except for engines of extremely high performance, like those found in ultra-expensive supercars and racing engines. Unless you drive a McLaren, it is probably a waste of money.