3 Reasons Why OEM Ford Spark Plugs are Better Than Aftermarket Spark Plugs

The most common dilemma Ford owners face while shopping for replacement spark plugs is whether to buy OEM or aftermarket plugs. Although aftermarket spark plugs are usually the cheaper option, OEM spark plugs are actually the most cost-effective option.

Listed below are the 3 biggest reasons why OEM spark plugs will save you much more money than aftermarket spark plugs.

1. OEM Spark Plugs Last Longer

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Ford spent a considerable amount of money developing spark plugs that will withstand the constant stress and high heat within the combustion chambers. A big part of developing durable spark plugs is choosing the right materials.

The biggest reason spark plugs fail is because they succumb to the conditions inside the combustion chambers. For example, the ground electrode erodes over time and ends up not being able to produce a good spark. When a spark plug is built with inferior quality materials or the wrong materials, it’ll succumb much quicker than a well-built spark plug.

2. Your Engine Performance and Fuel Economy are Optimal With OEM Spark Plugs

Spark plugs need to be built just right to function properly. The electrode gap has to be just the right size, and the plug needs to be just the right length. If the spark plug length or gap size is the slightest bit off, you’ll either see extensive engine damage or reduced engine performance and fuel economy. More specifically:

• A spark plug that’s too long will reach too far into the combustion chamber and possibly get hit by the piston. It may also interfere with the air/fuel mixture.
• A spark plug that’s too short won’t spark the air/fuel mixture well enough due to its sub optimal location. This results in wasted fuel and reduced engine performance.
• A spark plug with an incorrectly sized electrode gap will create a spark that’s too weak to properly ignite the air/fuel mixture. If the gap between the two electrodes is too small, there won’t be enough spark area for the flame to grow. If the gap is too large, the spark may not be able to jump across the gap, resulting in a lack of spark.

Aftermarket manufacturers determine the design of their spark plugs. There’s a good chance an aftermarket spark plug’s design doesn’t meet OEM specs.

OEM spark plugs, on the other hand, are always the right size, so you know you’re getting optimal performance out of them.

3. OEM Spark Plugs Don’t Always Cost More than Aftermarket Plugs

Even though spark plugs are already cheap, it’s natural to want to save as much money as possible. That’s why some car owners turn to aftermarket options. You don’t have to do that, though, if you’re looking to save some money upfront. While OEM spark plugs may cost a pretty penny at Ford dealers, they’re pretty affordable online. It’s because the markup isn’t as large.

In fact, you can buy genuine OEM spark plugs at wholesale pricing if you order them from us. Look up your Ford in our catalog of spark plugs to see how much money you can save. Feel free to contact us if you need assistance finding the right spark plug part number for your car.