spark plugs and fuel econ

[Execut1ve]

The mileage has come to replace the spark plugs in the civic... so that has me thinking, what is the interaction between spark plugs and fuel econ? A bit of background, I am accustomed to maintenance on the truck, where the rule of thumb is (for 87-96 F150's) that you stick with the plain Motorcraft coppers as they have a tendency to foul the fancier plugs. I'm still getting used to the civic... so, is there any advantage (in terms of fuel econ) if I go for the fancier platinum/double platinum/iridium plugs?

I'd also be interested in any thoughts on combining a beefier coil/wires/cap and rotor with a spark plug gap increase... that's sometimes done on the trucks, is there some reason that wouldn't work on the civic?

[cleanspeed1]

You don't need any of the fancy schmancy stuff for the Honda. Just use the genuine stuff from Honda and you won't go wrong. Do a search here on the site and see if there were any aftermarket items that actually worked.

[Execut1ve]

any thoughts on a stronger coil then and a gap increase?

[cleanspeed1]

No need to do it. Just set it to factory specs. The Hondas are set up really well from the factory. If your goal is mileage, try to stay near stock.

[Ford Man]

The reason I like platinum plugs is because you can usually increase the change interval to 100-150K miles without any affect on performance or efficiency. I've ran several sets well beyond a 100K miles and only changed them then because I felt guilty not because the car was misfiring or getting poor mileage. Whichever plug you decide on be sure to use anti seize on the threads. The engine heat can cause them to seize in the aluminum head (been there done that). The set of platinum plugs I have in my '88 Escort probably has over 100K miles on them now and and still delivering 40-45 mpg with no misfiring.

[Ryland]

So your car asks that the plugs be changed every 15,000 miles or so? copper core plugs degrade over time as the tip wears, platinum tipped plugs wear much much slower but platinum is a poor conductor in comparison so they will perform about like a copper plug would at 10,000 miles only they will be there from the point of new all the way up to 100,000 miles while costing 5 to 10 times as much.
Indexing your plugs will help more then most other after market plugs or wires or crazy ideas.

[ChazInMT]

I got the NGK Iridium plugs ZFR5FIX-11 for my Honda, there are Honda specific forums that I researched before deciding and found these to be the best bet. I ordered them from RockAuto for a smokin deal. Don't believe that they are "Factory Set Gaps" They aren't. The NGK web site says to check the gap on them.

Just be careful when adjusting the gap, don't do the old school method of prying the ground strap away from the electrode by using the electrode on new style plugs, you'll damage the electrode this way, get a set of needle nose pliers to adjust the strap.

Avoid Bosch plugs in a Honda.

[cleanspeed1]

Just thought about something. Doesn't your car come with platinum from the factory?

[Execut1ve]

idk what the oem plugs are and the recommended plug change interval according to the manual is 30k mi. I'll call the dealership today and ask what the recommended ones are. At Autozone they said the oem was copper

[Execut1ve]

well the parts dept at the dealer tells me the oem plugs are NGK's and are $3.61 each but they don't say on them if they are copper or platinum