You might be unsure of which spark plug brand is preferable when it’s time to replace yours, NGK or Denso. Both brands are well-known and have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Denso makes robust, durable spark plugs, while NGK offers better all-around performance. NGK spark plugs are the way to go if you’re looking for a pair of spark plugs that will enhance the performance of your engine.
In order to help you choose the best brand for you, we will compare NGK and Denso spark plugs in this blog post.
In This Article...
Is NGK a reliable name?
NGK is a great option for standard electrode and noble metal wire tipped spark plugs due to its consistently high quality, extensive applications catalog, and time-proven performance. These common copper core plugs from NGK, an OEM provider, were standard equipment on the majority of Japanese cars, SUVs, and motorbikes from the 1960s through the 1980s. We have also used them successfully for many years in older vehicles from other nations. Look around for the other common NGK plugs; they are all of great quality if unit 7634 does not match your vehicle.
Which spark plug manufacturer does Nissan use?
The OEM in the instance of Nissan would be NGK spark plugs (check prices and fitment). Now, to some extent, the plugs you must choose rely on the model year of your vehicle. The models from 2002 to 2009 come with platinum plugs. These platinum spark plugs, model number PLFR5A-11, are the exact OEM replacement.
Which is superior, NGK or DENSO?
The time and money you save by not having to maintain and replace your spark plugs as frequently is, in my opinion, the primary benefit of switching to iridium spark plugs.
From this vantage point, NGK would have to triumph because the electrode has more material and, in principle, should last longer than Denso, increasing the savings from using NGK.
If Denso’s marketing claims are true, you might have the best of both worlds because the iridium electrode will last a very long time regardless and you’ll also gain the alleged performance advantages. But would there be a discernible difference in performance between Denso and NGK? Although I personally saw the simpler starting, I wasn’t comparing new to new when I said I doubted it.
Price Difference
Price will almost certainly determine which of Denso Iridium and NGK Iridium will be chosen. I typically observe a 30% price premium between NGK and Denso for iridium spark plugs. If that makes a significant difference to you, go with the NGK; if not, I don’t think Denso would be a bad choice either.
Is DENSO an OEM component?
The headquarters of DENSO, a producer of OEM and aftermarket auto parts, are located in Aichi, Japan. The USA, Russia, and Germany are just a few of the more than 35 nations where it operates. When the business split from the Toyota Motor Company on December 16, 1949, it was established as Nippon Denso Co. Ltd. The parent company for DENSO is still the Toyota Group of Companies. Over 140,000 people work for DENSO throughout various locations.
Major automakers receive the brand’s OEM parts that are produced. The OEM goods include parts for braking control and safety systems, information and communication systems, body electronics, climate control systems, and powertrains. Diesel fuel injection systems, gasoline engine management systems, alternators, and engine cooling systems are all part of DENSO’s array of powertrain components. DENSO also sells components for electric and hybrid vehicles. Air conditioners and air purifiers are included in the category of climate control components. DENSO’s body electronics line includes horns, flashers, windshield washers, wipers, and washers. The company creates corner clearance warning systems, SRS airbags, door lock controls, and ABS controls to support the driving and safety systems. DENSO also produces automotive navigation systems and data connectivity components. The company also sells the numerous motors found in cars, such as the power window and power steering motors. Wiper blades and spark plugs are among DENSO’s aftermarket offerings.
DENSO has established a subsidiary called DENSO WAVE in addition to producing automotive parts, and it sells automatic identification parts like bar-code scanners, QR code readers, and IC card-related parts. Industrial robots and programmable logic controllers are included in the company’s lineup of factory automation solutions. Automatic faucets are among the consumer goods that DENSO also sells.
A technical partnership between DENSO and German auto-parts maker Robert Bosch GmbH was founded in 1953. Through the AICHI DENSO Co. Ltd, which was subsequently amalgamated with DENSO in 1959, the business started producing spark plugs in 1957. The Deming Prize, one of the highest accolades for quality control, was given to DENSO in 1961. In 1995, the company was given the Global Environment Award. A significant milestone was reached by DENSO in 2002 when all 14 of its operating facilities in Japan produced zero emissions.
Since the 1960s, the firm has participated in motorsport events. For motorsport vehicles, it also provides cutting-edge iridium spark plugs and engine management systems. Additionally, Formula Nippon, Japan Super GT 500/300, and the FIA World Endurance Championship are all sponsored by DENSO. A Denso Kinetic Energy Recovery System was included in the Toyota TS030 Hybrid, which finished second in the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Are Denso components real?
Every component that leaves a DENSO facility has been meticulously designed, produced to the tightest OE standards or above, and put through extensive safety and performance tests, so the quality of DENSO components is guaranteed. The DENSO name stands for quality, which is what matters most in the end.
How durable are Denso spark plugs?
This winning combination of DENSO Iridium TT spark plugs’ unparalleled power output optimization, more complete combustion for better fuel economy, and long lifespan of well over 100,000 miles!
Do fake Denso spark plugs exist?
All DENSO Spark Plugs are produced in the USA, China, Indonesia, and Japan. It is not authentic if a part represents itself as a DENSO component but was produced elsewhere. The location of the branding may alter somewhat on counterfeit spark plugs.
Is platinum or iridium superior?
With a 700 higher melting point than platinum, iridium is believed to be six times stronger and eight times tougher than that metal. Spark plugs made of iridium feature incredibly tiny electrodes and good wear characteristics. Iridium spark plugs can live up to 25% longer than comparable platinum spark plugs because of their durability.
Iridium spark plugs include a core electrode made of a thin wire that is intended to carry electricity more effectively and improve firing efficiency.
This valuable metal comes at a cost. Spark plugs made of iridium are often the most expensive, costing between $8 and $15 each.
Will OEM spark plugs work?
It’s simple to claim, “I don’t care whether my plugs last another 100k miles,” or “I simply want to save money,” particularly if the vehicle for which you’re purchasing the plugs won’t see another 100k miles of use. However, you won’t have to wait long to pay for a poor set of spark plugs.
Your gasoline expenditures will go up by the same amount if you purchase a subpar set of spark plugs that reduce your engine’s fuel efficiency by only a few percentage points. For instance, if you spend $40 a week on gas and your plugs reduce gas mileage by 2%, your fuel price will increase by around $1 a week (2% of $40 equals 80 cents). Your “cheap” spark plugs will force you to spend an additional $40 on gas in less than a year. A cheap pair of spark plugs will cost a lot of money after five years.
Therefore, OEM plugs are still the best choice even if you’re looking to save money on spark plugs and don’t care about longevity. They’ll guarantee the best efficiency and performance, which will enable you to reduce one of your biggest car expenses (fuel).
Copper
The most basic and cost-effective form of spark plug available is one with a copper core. Due to their improved performance, efficiency, and lifespan, platinum and iridium spark plugs have lately supplanted these as the most popular plug type on the market. Copper spark plugs are simply incompatible with many modern engines, although certain older engines perform better when utilizing copper plugs.
Platinum
Compared to copper plugs, platinum plugs offer better performance and fuel economy, but they cost a lot less than iridium spark plugs. Platinum spark plugs work at a lower temperature than copper spark plugs, much like iridium plugs do. Additionally, they can survive up to twice as long as standard copper plugs.
Double Platinum
Compared to single-plated platinum plugs, double-platinum spark plugs offer even greater performance, efficiency, and durability. Additionally, double-platinum spark plugs are often still less expensive than iridium spark plugs. Simply look for spark plugs that use platinum in both the electrode and cap for an economical upgrade from single platinum.
Iridium
The top spark plugs on the market are made of iridium. Iridium spark plugs outperform double-platinum plugs in terms of performance, lifespan, and efficiency. Iridium spark plugs cost more than copper and platinum alternatives since they are made of a superior material and use cutting-edge technology. Use of iridium spark plugs is ideal for high-performance engines.
Double Iridium
Double-iridium spark plugs resemble double-platinum ones in many ways. Two discs formed of the rare metal are used in double-iridium spark plugs to improve longevity and performance. These spark plugs are made to provide the firepower required for all types of driving conditions, such as intense heat or constant high speeds. In comparison to a typical copper spark plug, double-iridium can offer up to four times the usual life of service.
How durable are NGK iridium plugs?
They have a life expectancy of 40–50k kilometers according to NGK. However, because driving conditions and motor changes vary, they must be cautious with their forecasts. On average, we’ve discovered that an unaltered motor can travel 60,000–80,000 kilometers.
Do brands of spark plugs matter?
When replacing spark plugs, many drivers and mechanics prefer to use the same brand, but there is no information on the label that links a specific brand of plug to a specific vehicle make or model. In other words, provided the spark plug has the proper size, design, and heat range, it can be utilized in any vehicle make or model application.
It won’t matter to the engine. To provide for brand interchangeability, all spark plug producers cross-reference their plugs with those of other brands. Numerous brands that can be used interchangeably are typically available for the majority of applications. However, the variety may be far more constrained for some more specialized applications, and there may only be one or two brands that mention a spark plug for that use.
Regardless of the brand, it’s crucial to make sure your customers receive the proper spark plugs for their engines. Don’t try to guess the manufacturer if a certain brand of spark plug isn’t stated for a specific application. There is a reason if they don’t have an engine spark plug.
They might not have a plug with the proper electrode arrangement, range of reach, or temperature. If plugs are inserted in a situation for which they were not designed, even though they may appear to be very similar on the outside, they may actually be very different on the inside.
While a plug that is too cold could have issues with fouling, a plug that is too hot raises the possibility of pre-ignition and detonation.