The function of a spark plug is to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the internal combustion chamber. Without these components, your car cannot start. And using defective spark plugs or inefficient ones will significantly reduce the engine performance. Acceleration and fuel economy will be affected.
With such importance, you need a high-quality spark plug for your engine. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with these products, and Autolite is one of them. We will cover Autolite spark plugs here to help you understand them.
Read on to learn everything you should know about Autolite spark plugs before buying one!
Are Autolite Spark Plugs Good?
Autolite spark plugs debuted in the American market in 1935 and quickly became famous. That was because of its reliability and worthy replacement parts in many vehicles. Besides, their spark plugs have features that keep them above the competition.
But what exactly makes Autolite spark plugs good? Let us consider a few universal features found in this brand.
Gap Erosion
Electrodes wear out due to erosion in some faulty spark plugs. The Autolite spark plug manufacturer knows this problem and has offered a lasting solution to gap erosion. All spark plugs from Autolite are designed with an in-house advanced tip to ensure no gap erosion occurs on your spark plugs. That makes them reliable and durable.
Efficiency
Spark plugs are responsible for the operation of any internal combustion engine. The fuel consumption by these engines depends on the state of the spark plugs. An efficient spark plug enhances the engine’s performance and service life. So, how does the Autolite product come in?
Autolite spark plugs provide a concentrated spark with a much larger flame for an excellent engine start and performance.
Safety
The engine and your car should run without exposure to electricity. Although the entire chassis of any vehicle is connected to the ground strap, stray electrical power can still be a problem. Autolite spark plugs design limits this problem by using less voltage to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.
Spark Plugs Lubrication
Although there aren’t many manufacturers that require lubricating spark plugs before installing, Autolite spark plugs do not require any lubrication. This makes things easier and saves you the money you would have spent on grease.
How Long Do Autolite Spark Plugs Last?
The Autolite spark plugs are built for durability. However, the exact lifespan depends on the individual product and driving conditions. All these vary, making it difficult to state a single figure. The Autolite Iridium spark plugs can give you up to 100K miles under normal driving conditions and usage. On the other hand, the manufacturer guarantees five years of use on Autolite Double Platinum spark plugs.
But what makes the Autolite spark plugs that durable? Everything narrows down to design and manufacturing. These plugs have a platinum tip that eliminates gap erosion.
Additionally, Autolite spark plugs are yttrium-enhanced and have nickel alloy side electrodes that maintain an accurate gap. There are also platinum alloy pads on ground electrodes and nickel-plated steel shells. These design features provide extended durability and service life.
The chart below shows the expected durability of different Autolite spark plugs.
| Saprk Plug Type | Guaranteed Service Life |
| Copper Core Spark Plugs | Not specified |
| Platinum Spark Plugs | 4 years |
| Double Platinum Spark Plugs | 5 years |
| Iridium XP Spark Plugs | 7 years |
Are Autolite Spark Plugs Pre-Gapped?
Yes, but you may need to configure the gap size according to your application. Autolite spark plugs come pre-gapped from the factory in standard sizes for various uses. That means you may not find a correctly gapped Autolite spark plug for a specific application.
Hence, you should always check your requirement against gap specifications from the manufacturer. Your observation will determine what to do next during the installation. Contact a qualified mechanic if you are unsure about spark plug gapping. Fortunately, you can easily adjust gaps on these spark plugs as required.
Incorrectly spark plug gap setting can cause various engine issues, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Loss of power
- Misfires
- Spark plug fouling
- Increased plug wear
- Poor gas mileage
What Is The Gap Setting For Autolite Spark Plugs?
The gap setting on Autolite spark plugs varies according to the standards set. As mentioned, you should adjust the gap to meet your engine specifications if you don’t find one pre-gapped to match it.
When widening the spark plug gap, use an appropriate tool that only pulls back the ground electrodes without disturbing the center electrode. You can close that gap if you gently tap the spark plug on a hard surface.
According to Autolite, you should never exceed 0.008 inches when adjusting the gap in either direction. Doing so will cause misalignment of ground and center electrodes, which affects performance and reduces its lifespan. Instead, you should buy an appropriately pre-gapped spark plug for your application.
You should know a few things before adjusting the spark plug gap. First, the electrodes are fragile. Therefore, you should be cautious when doing it, especially on fine wire plugs. Secondly, never adjust the gap on multi-ground plugs.
Lastly, contact an expert if you are new to spark plug gap adjustment. It may be expensive and time-consuming, but it will save your spark plugs.
Who Makes Autolite Spark Plugs?
Autolite is an American brand established in 1911 and started making spark plugs in 1945. The company has established itself over the years as one of the leaders in the industry with reliable spark plugs and other products in the industry. It has tried all the techniques and technology at its disposal to make the most reliable products.
The company sells spark plugs and wire sets to customers in the United States. Mexico, Canada, and Australia. It supplies different spark plugs to the market, targeting various customers and their specific needs. Its products were marketed by Honeywell’s automotive Consumer Products Group, FRAM, and Prestone until 2011. Since then, the company has been under FRAM Group.
Autolite currently has different spark plugs, which include the following:
- Iridium Ultra spark plugs
- Copper spark plugs
- Platinum spark plugs
- Double platinum spark plugs
- Glow plugs
- Racing spark plugs
- Small engine spark plugs
Final Thoughts
Autolite is one of the most popular spark plugs brand for a reason. You are getting good value for your money, hence most people choose them. They might not provide the same performance level as NGK’s range of spark plugs, but they are definitely a good pick.
You won’t go wrong with any of their products, and they sure have a wide range of products.
Brian is an auto technician who writes DIY repair articles and creates how-to videos for MechanicAsk. He focuses on common repairs like brakes, oil changes, and lighting. Brian draws on his 5 years of dealership experience to explain repairs in an easy-to-follow manner, even for novice do-it-yourselfers. His technical articles always include detailed tool lists, supply checklists, and visual guides.
