Professional Platinum Spark Plug

  • Information
  • FAQs


    • ACDelco Professional Rapidfire Platinum Performance Spark Plugs are designed for everyday use and can be used in most vehicles on the road today. These premium aftermarket spark plugs have a high-quality suppressor that helps prevent misfiring. They have an improved plug to boot seal and a pure copper core for greater durability. ACDelco Professional Platinum Performance Spark Plugs are manufactured to meet or exceed your expectations for fit, form and function.

      FEATURES & BENEFITS

      • Solid-state suppressor with two-piece glass and brass seal, which reduces radio-frequency interference, regulates spark energy for long electrode life and protects against high combustion pressures
      • 100 percent pure copper core, which provides great heat transfer and increases plug durability
      • Platinum on center electrode enables superior spark characteristics and reduces voltage requirements of the ignition system
      • Ribless insulator to improve plug-to-boot seal

      PRODUCT FACTS

      Find out more about the ACDelco Professional Platinum Spark Plug and how it fits into the Starting and Charging System with the product facts below.

      Function

      Uses a high-voltage spark from the ignition coil to ignite the air/fuel mixture inside the engine’s cylinders.

      Signs of Wear & Troubleshooting

      Signs that your spark plugs need to be replaced:


      • Engine has trouble starting, hesitates or cuts out
      • Sluggish engine performance, loss of engine power or decreased fuel economy
      • Lack of acceleration or loss of speed when driving uphill
      • Cracks in the upper or lower portion of the spark plug insulator
      • Chipped or broken insulator tip
      • Damaged spark plug boot

      What It Does

      The Starting and Charging System starts the engine, maintains the battery’s charge and provides power to the electrical accessories while the engine is running.

      Good Maintenance Practices

      It is important to inspect spark plugs at regular intervals for signs of deterioration. Follow these steps for removing spark plugs for inspection, servicing or replacement:


      • Grasp the spark plug boot and gently rotate it 90 degrees counterclockwise. Pull the spark plug boot and cable away from the spark plug. If necessary, use a spark plug boot removing tool. DO NOT grab or violently pull spark plug cables
      • Use the correct deep socket size to loosen each spark plug one or two turns. NOTE: To remove spark plugs from aluminum heads, allow the engine to cool. The heat of the engine, in combination with a spark plug that is still hot, may cause the spark plug threads to strip the cylinder head upon removal
      • Brush or air-blast dirt away from the well areas before removing spark plugs. CAUTION: Use goggles to protect eyes from dirt when applying compressed air to spark plug wells
      • Remove each spark plug and place each one in a tray by cylinder number. This will help identify and relate any unusual condition to the cylinder involved
      • Apply dielectric grease into the boot area to reduce the chance of exterior tracking on the buttress tower of the spark plug. This grease also promotes a good heat transfer between the spark terminal screw and boot terminal
      • Before installing new spark plugs, use a gap guide to make sure your new spark plugs have the correct gap. NOTE: ACDelco Professional Iridium Spark Plugs are pre-gapped during manufacturing. Never attempt to gap an ACDelco Professional Iridium Spark Plug. You could damage the spark plug. Replace the incorrectly gapped ACDelco Professional Iridium Spark Plug with one that is correctly gapped
    • Should I change my spark plugs every 3,000 miles?

      No, it depends on what type of spark plug your vehicle requires. Refer to your Owner’s Manual or contact your vehicle’s manufacturer for more information.

      Can changing my spark plugs improve my engine’s performance?

      Yes, but spark plugs may not be the only factor impacting performance. Replacing old spark plugs may temporarily improve poor engine performance due to reduced demand on the ignition system. However, this is not the cure for poor engine performance caused by worn rings, faulty carburetion, worn distributor parts or other engine performance issues.

      Should I change all of my vehicle’s spark plugs at the same time?

      Yes, if it is the scheduled time for spark plug replacement. It may be OK to replace one spark plug if it was broken for any reason prior to scheduled maintenance.

      Does a diesel engine require a different type of plug than a gas engine?

      Yes. Diesel engines require glow plugs because diesel engine ignitions operate differently than gas engines. ACDelco Professional Glow Plugs are specially designed to give diesel engines the heat they need for their cold starts.

      Are ACDelco spark plugs pre-gapped?

      Yes. When ACDelco spark plugs are manufactured, they are pre-gapped to the correct gap specification.

      When I replace my spark plugs, should I also replace my spark plug wires?

      Not always. Refer to your vehicle Owner’s Manual or contact the manufacturer for more information.

      How do spark plugs become fouled?

      Certain engine conditions can cause oil, powder and carbon to collect on the spark plug, causing a misfire. See our list of Signs and Causes of Spark Plug Wear.

      What is pre-ignition and can it damage my engine?

      Yes, pre-ignition can cause serious damage to your engine. Pre-ignition happens when the spark plug is too hot and fires before the piston is in the correct position.

      Can I just clean my spark plugs instead of replacing them?

      No, cleaning your old spark plugs is not recommended. Dirty, fouled spark plugs may also have broken, chipped insulator tips, worn electrodes or worn or missing side wires. These conditions severely affect spark plug performance. Replace your dirty, fouled spark plugs with new ACDelco spark plugs.

      Does ACDelco have marine spark plugs?

      Yes, ACDelco has marine spark plugs for many applications.