New And Improved: Spark Plug Experiment And Mpg Results

[@lambrinos]

Where you been man? I've had to watch Scotty between your videos. Save me.

[@artin13]

Hes been growing avocados

[@JohnSmith-xx1lx]

You're not obligated to watch Scotty, you don't like him use your time elsewhere.

[@lambrinos]

@@JohnSmith-xx1lx I bet you're fun at parties

[@a.m.v.6938]

I used to watch Scotty until he got into politics, it was a sad day when he started doing that and I had to unsubscribe. We get enough BS politics from everywhere else.

[@italatin18]

@A.M.V. homeboy ratches and wrenches has made political jokes too.

[@aaronwilson4694]

Great video idea. 👍I replaced my 09 Honda civic spark plugs a few months ago and I also noticed an improvement in gas mileage.

[@kimokahikolekalihi]

One thing to note about tracking your mpg that I've learned over the years is you need to do this over several tanks of driving, not just one tank. And where you fill up needs to be the same every time. Different pumps at different stations will turn off at different amounts of fuel in your tank. I have a scangauge2 in my daily and I always see a noticeable difference in my mpg and how much fuel the scangauge2 says I've consumed when I go to a different gas station. If I go to the same station consistently, the scangauge2 is very close on how much it estimates that I've put in the tank when I fill it up. I'd say it could be as high as 5-8% on my car which only has a 10 gallon tank. Cars with larger tanks will be less of a difference.

[@limeallens6160]

same pump same length nozzle to click off

[@las3k91]

Only thing that really improved gas milage of my '99 Impreza GT was new OEM mass airflow sensor. Range exceeded instantly from 330-350km to 380-400km. Old one was also OEM, but probably like 20 years old.

[@myRatchets]

Hmm interesting.

[@FredTheLutinoCocatiel]

Did you try spray cleaner first?

[@las3k91]

@@FredTheLutinoCocatiel yeah, it doesn't work with Subaru MAFs.

[@danieltenorio3559]

@@myRatchets my spark plugs don’t need changing , but does cleaning the spark plugs with choke cleaner help it maintains its life span?

[@danthemann6565]

Good job, good to see you posting again.

[@myRatchets]

Hey, thanks!

[@jonnijames]

@@myRatchets I agree, you need your brothers old jocks back into your clips too :)

[@vmfan96]

Holly smoke hardly recognized you. Its seems you lost some weight. Keto and intermittent fasting? Great to see you back.

[@teddybear2123]

Covid diet.

[@myRatchets]

Lots and Lots of shoveling dirt, weed whacking, pruning trees :) and a low car diet.

[@zuranku]

@@myRatchets Stay away with Carbs hahahahaha

[@gregorykusiak5424]

What most people haven’t noticed is the replacement interval for upstream O2 sensors is the same as spark plugs. 100k miles. Do them together. Just like cleaning the MAF sensor when you replace the air filter. Same as oil change intervals - every 5-8k miles or so (with synthetic oil)

[@michaelsmith1124]

Really missed your videos. Can't wait to see your next one 👍

[@myRatchets]

Thanks, stay tuned :)

[@ketoninja]

I've always driven older Hondas and Acuras and it always seemed like my mileage went down for a while after replacing the plugs. Not really sure if that's because the computer adjusts for bad plugs and needs to relearn air fuel ratios or something to that effect, but that's been my experience over the years. I know that might seem counterintuitive and my observations are not empirical data. I never let my spark plugs go over the amount of miles you're supposed to change them at, so my old ones are never totally worn out when I do change them. And I always use either double iridium or ruthenium plugs. Thanks for the video.

[@TheJoshThatPlaysDrums]

Hey I’m actually dealing with this very issue right now. Had all 04 V6 Accord plugs replaced with Denso’s today, and my MPG went from 16 city to 13. Did it ever improve after a while? Did the computer learn the new plugs and eventually improve fuel economy? Because my car runs noticeably smoother except for this MPG issue.

[@ketoninja]

@@TheJoshThatPlaysDrums Yeah, I just did a highway trip with a tailwind and got 31, 29 on the way back. It's close to being back to normal.

[@edwardkareem6446]

That's a great video I miss watching your videos so one thing that I do or did to my vehicle was replaced to spark plugs clean my throttle body clean my mass airflow sensor clean the air box and put new filter and I saw a huge improvement

[@pab702]

Your videos are always helpful and to the point. Thank you.

[@myRatchets]

Glad you like them, thanks for watching.

[@heatmizer-jim6762]

GREAT videos, with clear, understandable explanations! Just watched your Fuel Trims video, and I was really impressed! Thank you!

[@ChrisNieves]

Glad you’re back love your channel.

[@marjoriemeredith7747]

Nice to see you! Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[@tede9921]

I'd never thought I'd see you again.

[@toms7280]

You may want to do the pre-cat oxygen sensor change with the new plugs to see any MPG improvement to save yourself changing the spark plugs to the old and then back to the new again 😉

[@myRatchets]

Good point, but with the new plugs there might not be a big enough difference to say for sure the new O2 sensor made a huge difference.

[@danhentosh2675]

Should have changed the O2 sensor first, then changed plugs rather than changing the plugs back and forth...save on the work.

[@gavinb5784]

@@myRatchets Hello. any update? has it improve mpg in your friends car doing the pre-cat sensor? thanks

[@djamel_bijoux]

Can't wait for the pre cat oxygen sensor video

[@myRatchets]

It should be an interesting one :)

[@olbabybeard]

Keep em coming avocado mechanic

[@lionsofwar6851]

Watch your mouth ken

[@Manchester7779]

Good to see you back :)

[@rblum1862]

Hey hey hey I'm in Lake Elsinore...Shopping for a mechanic and see a shop called Ratchets and Wrenches in Menefee. Is that you!!?? Ide at the very least like to swing thru n shake your hand and say thank you for teaching me alot more than I knew about cars..if not..hey hey hey thanks for the knowledge and thanks even more for making it understandable (I'm dense)and funny..haaa..thnx bro

[@juanheredia4426]

I don’t like the rear bank on my highlander transverse engine when replacing the spark plugs, love replacing the spark plugs on my K24 Honda engine

[@RothBeyondTheGrave]

I noticed a roughly 4 mpg loss over multiple tanks on the same commutes and regular driving, same roads and same driving habits. Got into the live data and saw evidence of lazy upstream 02's. I changed them and instantly got all of the mpg back as well as returned the power I was missing.

[@mjc-thatsme5669]

Getting ready to replace my 263k plugs!

[@jeh5c]

huh Im not sure when mine been done. im gonna try this!

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

Always use your friend's car for experiments! :DDDD Kidding.

[@michaelmoore7550]

Give us a video on growing and what you do with all the avocados

[@djkramit]

Good idea. I'll see next time I maintenance my vehicle. 👍

[@RuFFRyDas87]

Looks like eating avocados everyday gives you great hair.

[@myRatchets]

I mostly grow them not eat them :)

[@ProximoNovio]

I cant wait for next video

[@patrickzambori473]

I don't believe the spark plugs will have any impact on fuel economy, provided the old ones weren't so bad they were misfiring. You stand to have more of an impact on fuel economy by cleaning your fuel injectors, because a better spray atomization will increase combustion efficiency. Give that a try for the next experiment.

[@myRatchets]

Thats a good one for an experiment.

[@johnnyblue4799]

Actually they do have an impact. Worn out electrodes don't generate sparks as strong as the new ones. The will be differences in how the mixture burns.

[@patrickzambori473]

@@johnnyblue4799 as the gap gets wider, the coil voltages are forced higher to jump the gap.. the spark gets hotter... not weaker...

[@georgeparker555]

It does have an impact idk how but I drive the same route to work everyday and was getting high 20's in mpg and now I never get below 30mpg with the new spark plugs.

[@vollandt]

I am skeptical that the new plugs are the cause of that big of a jump in mpg. My mpg jumps around by 2-3 trough out the year for the same on the same commute without changing any parts. I am assuming this is from variations in traffic and temperature. It would be interesting to see if this was repeatable under more controlled conditions, including the driver being blinded on which plugs are being used. Just to avoid any subconscious variation in driving style to direct the results.

[@truth9678]

Rusty my my kazoo bowl, you hurt your left hand I seen you shaking it because you don't fool me buddy LOL

[@delinquentdesign]

Good to see you wrenching again. But what about those aguacates?

[@myRatchets]

they're doing good :)

[@kelvinnguyen6048]

Love the breakdown my dude. @@

[@x-man5056]

Engine oil on spark plug threads is a bad idea. Yes it does make it a bit easier to run down those long neck plugs but the oil will "Coke"and become hard carbon. Not what you want in the threads the next time you take them out. Use a small dot of anti-seize, copper preferred. And yes you should. Spark plug manufacturers all say you don't need anti-seize on their plug threads, but they will not be there to help you get a stuck plug out of the head. Whether you "need" it or not is irrelevant. It will do no harm and makes it much easier to install, and 100k later, remove the spark plugs, particularly those long neck ones. If your plug torque specification is 12ftlbs, DO NOT USE A 1/2' drive wrench (Geez). You have way to much leverage and mass with that huge wrench. I guarandamntee ya, you put double the torque with that huge wrench you used without even trying. Use an inch pound torque wrench set at 144. Go very slow when torquing, 144inlbs or 12ftlbs is ALMOST NOTHING and that is what you want with those long neck plugs. If you don't have a torque wrench, use a 1/4 drive ratchet to torque them down. If you over torque those plugs, you may never get them out, anti-seize or not.

[@ericleblond7517]

So easy to change on yours on my escape 2012 I need to take a day off to change them 😂

[@joey86bu1]

Great stuff!

[@Pallidus_Rider]

KZbin recommended this video 👍

[@TheDeadMan3848]

My opinion is, copper core are best. Platinum, iridium are sales gimmicks. With todays EFI systems, copper core will easily go 100K miles

[@chamorro81]

replaced my plugs at 139k miles. Engine throttle is more responsive. Idle and driving is smoother.

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

Did you check the gap and resist on the old plugs?

[@SilverDollarSaloon]

Fresh oil change and the correct plugs will do better than just a plug change.

[@IsaacKnowReally]

U almost have a million subs omg

[@rudygarcia8436]

Isn't driving until empty going to mess up your fuel pump early?

[@takumiinthe86]

I wonder what's the best of all the materials. Copper platinum double plat vs iridium

[@michequichigada2280]

Thanks for your adias

[@u.e.u.e.]

Did you replace them 1:1 with the same type or did you use more modern spark plugs?

[@tigergreg8]

Not only the gas mileage, but the added pick up you feel when accelerating.

[@andrewlace]

That'll be hard. My diesel doesn't have spark plugs.

[@FASWORLD7]

Its been almost 2 months I am still waiting for the video on the camper. What's going on with that?

[@dimitriossourailidis3547]

Hello, what about spark plug gap? Can you explain performance wise?

[@spiralnapkin]

Only gap them to manufacturer specification.

[@theWORMredux]

Have you done the oxygen sensor test yet??

[@josealmaraz2592]

Is Jeep Wrangler reliable? Worth the money 💵 ? Think you can make a video about them

[@appleimacdude]

Why not try replacing the plugs with the same standard plugs, only new ones - and see how much iridium plugs increase gas mileage compared to regular OEM plugs? New plugs period are going to raise gas mileage - so how much will you save going iridium vs. platinum, or whatever the OEM plugs are?

[@xephael3485]

My guess is that it won't improve mpg much, if at all... ignition is ignition. I've tracked MPG on vehicles before and after spark plug changes and it really didn't affect anything.

[@whelmo14]

You couldnt be more wrong when you say "ignition is ignition"

[@xephael3485]

@@whelmo14 says you without anymore to share... I can share an MPG graph of a vehicle and you can tell me when the sparkplugs we're changed though... The spark will either ignite or not ignite the fuel vapor. Like a bullet primer. It either goes bang or it doesn't.

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

If the spark plug gap opens up too much from wear or the plug is fouled in some way then you can get a weak spark, and that'll result in less-than-optimal burning of the gas/air mixture, thus resulting in lower MPG

[@xephael3485]

@@chrisfreemesser5707 if by "weak" spark you're saying it fails to spark/ignite fuel mixture every so often...then I'll agree with you

[@myRatchets]

you'll get ignition and burn the HC but it won't be as good if the gap has increased, more resistance in the plug... etc

[@youtubeitisisntit7333]

Does new spark plugs improve acceleration pickup too??? Thanks.

[@darrellroeters4951]

Good test. Can you use never seize?

[@colehara]

Be careful doing that. If you get just a tiny bit on the ceramic on the outside of the plug the spark can short to the block. Antiseize conducts electricity. I learned that the hard way. Had one cylinder misfiring and took a while to figure it out.

[@myRatchets]

I wouldn't use it, it can cause problems, even engine oil is pretty much not needed. The newer plugs have a coating that prevents them from seizing in the heads, just make sure to torque them down to spec. cheers

[@philcastillo3719]

Ok, I understand bad air flow and unreliable spark leading to bad gas mileage bevause the cpu compensates but if the spark doesn't skip then what is the real logic for improving mileage? 🤔

[@jaymebaith9646]

Most spark plugs, including ngk, have a coating applied to the threads which prevents seizing. Applying a lubricant like oil to the thread can increase the thread pressure for the same torque value (less resistance to insertion), leading to a risk of stripping the threads or blowing out a plug.

[@Eli-kr5bm]

Where have you been?? We were forced to have Scotty Kilmer in our recomendations 😣

[@scottykilmer3920]

Just install some Champion copper plus spark plugs, and your car will run strong! Install some iridiums and you will improve your mpg, and you car will have weak acceleration. An copper plug have always beter performance, iridiums last only longer and have very weak spark.

[@kgmechanic7356]

Good 💯

[@myRatchets]

thanks

[@trutube5955]

Isn’t iridium overkill for this car? Seems like it would run double platinum oem

[@FredTheLutinoCocatiel]

Have you used the dual electrode irideium NGK?

[@theroyalcrownedtiger2946]

I have only seen the single electrode NGK Iridium, not the double. The blue pack NGK Iridium and the purple pack, are the ones I have seen so far, for Iridium. NGK yellow pack is the Platinum G-Power, lasts long time but not as long as the Iridium.

[@sean8081a]

Does an oxygen sensor slowly get worse over time? My yaris, with 100k miles, slowly went from 38mpg to 33mpg over two years, no engine light, new spark plugs. Don't know why. It runs good.

[@andrewl8251]

Mine has been giving me 25 mpg. Just bought it, but one of them had gas all over it. I'm not sure what's the fix is for that. It looks like the fuel injector was recently replaced

[@AndrewNoronha-cb2gy]

Where is the o2 sensor experiment video

[@SavageBunny1]

I changed the spark plugs on my friends 2012 Chrysler 300 with 340k miles, yes 340k miles, on the original spark plugs, they where terrible.

[@mry82]

That's the only way to track mileage!

[@peraltal2618]

I have a Ford Explorer 2011 that shakes when I’m about to hit 40pmh and if I step into the gas pedal when is shaking it misfires

[@northernswedenstories1028]

Hej! Do you know why my fuel trims rapidly improve when I have the AC on at idle, but with it off go lean?

[@eivis13]

No load on the engine and lower idle = leaner mixture. It's the same with most (if not all) cars.

[@apuuvah]

5% would've been surprising. 10% is insane! Change your plugs to iridium!

[@TheJackal917]

Once a year, no matter the mileage, I put new plugs, filters and brake pads. I know it's additional cost, but better be safe than sorry. Oil and oil filter - every 3000 miles.

[@alecshao3710]

Nice wasting some money but hey it’s your money no whatever makes you happy

[@MiguelRPD]

I change my engine every 3 days and I've never had a problem.

[@k9under]

@@MiguelRPD That hilarious i got to use that line.

[@myRatchets]

It depends on how much and how you drive but for the plugs it would be fine to just get quality plugs and change at the right interval. cheers

[@stillnotwoke]

How often do you change your butt plug?

[@verinb9]

4.859?! SHEESH! Where do u live? 😮

[@paulbradford8240]

The gap on the old plugs looked too big. My Astra 2.2 has triple contact plugs. When I changed them after 65,000 miles, I could hear as well as feel the difference to the engine. The plugs were old having been in the car since new. I changed th m when the car was about 15 years old. It only does about 3000 miles per year, but I think they should have been changed earlier.

[@mirola73]

All of course depends on how you drive and what route. I drove the same route for 4 months and when I drove using my foot (not cruise control), the economy was different every time. This is nothing more than an indication, no hard fact.

[@maniacalmonster2293]

Check those gaps mane 🤘🏻

[@myRatchets]

they come pre gapped but yeah you never know.

[@steveramirez1654]

👍

[@29madmangaud29]

Well, if you want to see a real difference, use PULSTAR , they're expensive, but worth it!

[@swinada]

My guess is that if your plugs have not been changed in that many years then the fuel filter probably hasn't seen a change either. Fuel filter are cheap and not that hard to change and I think you would see an improvement in your MPG as well. So if you change plugs change fuel filter also.

[@myRatchets]

The quick oil change places get those usually but not always the plugs.

[@760sky9]

Cars don't have serviceable fuel filter anymore.

[@rusty358]

Too bad you didn't check the gap on each plug. sometimes that improves things.

[@scottgoodson6046]

No oil on the plugs...

[@julianmendoza2459]

Ian

[@justinsane7128]

Who hooo plugs

[@robertmontgomery7158]

Oil on the threads reduce the torque specification. Reduces by 25-50%. Be careful and don’t over torque the plugs

[@enzomac9139]

Avoid cross thread ...use oil like he said....use shorty length fuel hose 2 start threading

[@k9under]

What the purpose of that plastic beauty cover.

[@neudimensions1320]

I think you answered your own question

[@homerthompson6028]

Most of the time it’s for looks but if there’s insulation on the bottom side then it’s to keep engine noises down like on my bmw which is direct injected and the fuel rail is very noisy without it on.

[@flightofthefatman]

It's like a girl putting on her makeup.

[@niyi1866]

When is it the proper time to replace spark plugs?

[@davidquinn6161]

Read the maintenance info in your owner's manual for the manufactures suggested replacement mileage for the spark plugs.

[@jamesvw769]

Every 100 miles.

[@ghidfg]

hm not bad

[@miriamvivo4279]

What is your take on ruthanium ngk spark plugs ?

[@myRatchets]

They are good for high performance engines (forced induction) but iridium last longer it seems. cheers

[@efrensaclolo7021]

Are you sure those ngk plugs are not fake,There are are fakes plugs all over from China,eBay Amazon,Autozone etc.sells them specially Iridium plugs.I had one from my Honda $17.99 for 4 sets.Remember Iridium and platinum are very expensive like gold,that is why cat.converter theft is so high now a days because of those precious metals.

[@MiguelRPD]

Yeah I just buy directly from Toyota. It's not much more $.

[@myRatchets]

I hope Napa didn't sell me fake ones :)

[@Cartier_specialist]

Well either your friend has a lead foot or my lifelong friend is lying to me. He has the exact same make, model and year of car and he told me he gets close to 30 mpg combined city and highway driving. His car is even the same color so it's definitely not the paint color. His car is automatic, is your friend's an automatic? The number of miles is also virtually identical.

[@myRatchets]

My friend does drive a lot in stop and go traffic. Also make sure your friend is not reading the mpg on the dash and actually calculating it by miles/gas.

[@Cartier_specialist]

@@myRatchets I suspect he's not calculating it the old fashion way. That's the only way I'll check mine because I've seen how optimistic the on-board system is. I drive a 2004 Infiniti G35 sedan and although they are not known for stellar gas mileage I can't really complain because it has plenty of power and I don't baby it but don't drive it like I stole it either.

[@hostilityy]

No

[@TimDyb]

Reminds me of a story: A Dad asked his college-aged daughter what her mpg was on her car. She said she didn't know. He told her, "Next time you fill up, write down the odometer reading. Next time you fill up, again write down the odometer reading and divide by the number of gallons." The daughter said , "That'll never work! I never have enough money to get a fillup!"

[@mrbiggoggles314]

Damn I wish my plugs lasted 100,000 miles.

[@efrensaclolo7021]

Can't you just re-gap the Iridium plugs,those are $20 a piece and most of them now are fake from China.If got it cheap it is not Iridium.Clean it and gap it and it is good for another 100k, LOL!!!

[@myRatchets]

you might be able to but still the electrode is deformed and resistance has changed so you won't get the best mpg.

[@germanium1872]

You know what else saves you money at the pump? Not voting democrat.