E3 Spark Plugs News

 

Automakers these days are bending over backwards to develop car and trucks that more efficiently use gasoline. E3 Spark Plugs shares a few favorites:

Direct injection systems: They’re a step up from the port fuel injection systems that replaced carburetors. Port injection systems spray gasoline into the intake manifold where it mixes with air and gets sucked down into the cylinders. Direct injection instead places an injector on each cylinder, spraying the gas directly into the cylinder (thus the name). They’re pricier and some say noisier than conventional engines, but the gasoline/air mixture burns more completely and the engine runs much more efficiently. The 2011 Nissan Juke and 2012 Audi A6 already have them, but most automakers will roll out models with direct injection systems later this year.

Dual clutch transmissions are a gift of racecar technology. Sometimes referred to as an automated manual, the dual clutch transmission uses two computer-controlled clutches to grab gears – one for the odd numbered gears, one for even-numbered gears. When one gear is engaged, the computer takes a look at driver input, predicts which gear should be engaged next and pre-positions the second clutch. This eliminates the lag time required for the driver to work a clutch pedal (you know – that awkward, rushed moment when the impatient driver behind you is laying on his horn.) Thus, dual clutch transmissions combine the efficiency of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic. Try it out in the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart or the 2011 Ford Fiesta.

First showing up in hybrid cars, idle stop saves gasoline by shutting down the engine when the car is stopped. Press the brake, and your engine cuts off. Let out the clutch or take your foot off the brake and it restarts. These systems require a strong starter, hesitate a bit in acceleration and are a bit of a pain in stop-and-go traffic. But, they’re being adopted in lots of standard gasoline engines. So, if you can deal with those issues, you can look to save money on fuel expenditures. Check it out in the 2011 BMW M3.

Of course, our own E3 Spark Plugs has a place on this list, too. Our patented DiamondFire technology spark plugs have multiple edges rather that create a spark with a larger frame front, allowing for more localized pressure. That allow for a faster pressure rise in the cylinder during the power stroke. This means a cleaner, more thorough burn and a more efficient use of gasoline.

Do you know of other fuel saving technologies on the horizon? Or does your vehicle use any of these? E3 Spark Plugs wants to know your thoughts. Leave a message here on the E3 Spark Plugs blog or on our Facebook fan page.

Over the weekend things got HOT at the E3 Spark Plugs Duel in the Desert for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at Speedworld Off Road Park in Surprise, AZ. In other corners of the world, people often say it’s “Africa Hot” but, under the searing heat for the LOORRS Rounds 11 and 12, it was “Arizona Hot”. As temperatures soared to triple digits, the action on track was getting even hotter as drivers in all classes were battling for precious points with only four races remaining in the 2011 series.

Located just to the northwest of downtown Phoenix, Speedworld has always been known for its fast but punishing layout. A tough course that typically takes a toll on both man and machine. This year’s event was no exception. After posting back-to-back wins in the last two rounds at Glen Helen, Rick Huseman had his Monster Energy/E3 Spark Plugs Toyota truck race ready for Round 11 and grabbed an early lead in Saturday’s event. But, the star of the day (and the big winner for weekend in Pro 4 Unlimited) was Kyle Leduc in the popular #99 Rockstar/Makita Ford truck. Leduc would finish four seconds ahead of Carl Renezeder with Huseman in third.

As the sun rose over the Arizona desert, Sunday morning brought new opportunities for the E3 Spark Plugs Toyota race team to claim a victory in the E3 sponsored event. This day it would be Kyle’s brother Todd Leduc who would start on the pole for Pro 4 main event with Huseman starting inside on the second row. Huseman quickly grabbed second place on the opening lap of Round 12 but began to slow on lap four as suspension gremlins damaged the driveshaft on the E3 Spark Plugs Toyota truck. Up front it was battle of the brothers as Kyle began to pressure Todd before a late-race yellow flag caused an inevitable restart.

When the green flag waved, it looked like bumper cars on dirt as Todd Leduc was pin-balled from first to fourth. Brother Kyle slipped by for the lead with Renezeder running in third place behind Adrian Cenni. The multi-time off road champion wasted little time and moved his famous #17 Lucas Oil/General Tire Ford truck into second place. Renezeder would lean on Leduc for the lead but to no avail. Leduc got to the checkers first for his fourth win of the 2011 LOORRS season and his first sweep of the Pro 4 class at Speedworld Off Road Park. Huseman would limp home to a disappointing eighth place finish.

E3 racing fans can watch all the action from last weekend’s clash in the desert on Oct. 15th on CBS. The LOORRS teams have a few weeks off before the series heads to Sin City for Rounds 13 and 14 at the Las Vegas Speedway on Nov. 5-6. See you there!

Temps are dropping and the sun’s going down earlier. The onset of the fall season means it’s time to ready your ride for the coming winter. E3 Spark Plugs recommends these six easy auto maintenance tips for the DIY mechanic.

1. Change your windshield wiper blades: You’ll use yours more often in the fall and winter time, so it’s best to start the season with a fresh set. Don’t forget that back blade if you drive a hatchback, station wagon or SUV with a rear window wiper.
2. Check your spare tire: Spare tires often are an out-of-sight, out-of-mind item but when you need yours, it’s critical that it’s in good shape. Tire pressure typically drops one PSI (pound per square inch) for every 10 degree drop in temperature, so check yours weekly as winter sets in. If the spare tire for your pickup truck or SUV is housed beneath your vehicle, try lowering, then raising it to make sure the cable mechanism that holds it is working properly. A good dose of WD-40 and lubing with white lithium grease each fall helps keep it working smoothly.
3. Check and top off all fluids: Topped off windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid and antifreeze levels are a must. Replace your windshield washer fluid with a solvent that’s suited for cold weather use. Top off the antifreeze in your coolant recovery reservoir and make sure you’re using the correct type. Orange and green coolants cannot be mixed. As brakes wear, a minor drop in your brake fluid level is normal. If you see a significant drop, it may be a sign of a leak or other problem in your braking system. Get to the mechanic before the roads ice up.
4. Replace the air filter: If your air filter is clogged, your vehicle’s fuel economy, performance and emissions suffer. And all that means money out of your pocket. We recommend changing your car’s or truck’s air filter twice a year.
5. Check your battery terminals: Lots of ignition and electrical problems start with loose or corroded battery connections. The time it takes you to tighten them and the $4 you’ll spend on a brush to clean them is a lot easier and cheaper than dealing with bigger issues down the road.
6. Check your lights: Shorter periods of sunlight make it tougher for you to see other vehicles on the road, and tougher for them to see you too.
7. Check your spark plugs: Worn, fouled or cracked spark plugs can cause misfires, muddle your car’s performance and eat up its fuel economy. E3 car spark plugs, truck spark plugs, Jeep spark plugs and motorcycle spark plugs assure better mileage, better performance and a cleaner ride.

Got more DIY tips for fall/winter auto maintenance? Leave us a comment on the E3 Spark Plugs blog or our E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

 

Here at E3 Spark Plugs, we love to hear from customers who have used our car spark plugs, truck spark plugs and motorcycle spark plugs and loved them – or hated them. We recently came across this post in a highly read car care blog by an author who had switched out his standard AC Delco spark plugs with a set of E3s an noticed a big change in his Chevy Caprice. Here’s what he had to say:

“So I ended up ordering a set of E3 plugs for my 350 from Advance Auto Parts and installed them this weekend. Let’s just say that I noticed a difference. I’m not talking night and day, but I still had some work to do.

“Now that my motor is finally broken in I decided to re-tune it, adjusting the mixture and idle speed, and filling the tank with some real fuel instead of the cheap crap I was running. I put in 93 octane with an octane booster which bumped it up to 105 according to the chart on the bottle. Then, there was a difference. Each pop of the piston was louder and crisper. The idle was more even and just sounded better.

“On the road, things only got better. Reaction to the throttle was lightning fast for a carbureted car, and the black soot that used to come out of the tailpipes was all but gone. I realize much of the difference can be attributed to the fuel change and carb tuning, but knowing how this motor usually behaves, I can honestly say that I think these plugs are the real deal – after all, it had been running better even before I made the later adjustments.”

E3 wants to hear about your experience with our plugs – positive or negative. Often, when a buyer writes about problems with our spark plugs, our engineers can help pinpoint other problems that may be affecting the plugs’ performance. So don’t hold back – Let us know how you really feel about E3 spark plugs. Leave a comment on our blog or on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

 

So you’re on the side the road again, hoping your cell phone battery will hold out long enough for you to get through a phone call with the tow trucker, dad, significant other, best friend, neighbor, guy you met in the bar last night, or whomever else you can think of who might be willing to give you a lift home. E3 Spark Plugs probably knows why you’re there. Here are our top ten reasons for auto breakdowns:

1. You’ve got a bum battery. Small trips can be a big drain on a battery. Make sure your car gets an extended run every few weeks. It’s a great excuse for a fun day trip.
2. You lost your keys. Again. Make several copies of your car keys. Keep one in your purse or wallet, another at your home and one or two with a trusted family member, friend or neighbor.
3. Your tire went flat. Check your tires weekly to make sure the tread remains deep and your tires remain adequately aired up.
4. You’ve got a damaged distributor cap. Damp conditions can play a part in this little fiasco if your distributor cap happens to be cracked or otherwise damaged. It can cause a high voltage short circuit, preventing the spark from reaching your spark plugs.
5. You’ve got a faulty alternator. Check for a worn drive belt or a wonky connection.
6. You’ve got fuel trouble. Were you paying attention at the gas station? Accidentally filling up (even just a little) with diesel gas instead of regular can damage your engine.
7. Your clutch cable is shot. A clutch cable engages every single time you change gears. Eventually, it will wear out and, unfortunately, it doesn’t always give you any warning.
8. Your spark plugs have lost their spark. If they’re misfiring or just not sparking, they may be fouled. You may be able to give them a good cleaning and re-install. But if they’re worn or cracked, you may have to switch them out for new ones.
9. Your HT leads have fizzled out. HT leads deliver high voltage currents to your spark plugs. Long periods of repeated temperature cycling can deteriorate them and cause them to fail without warning.
10. Your starter won’t start. Your starter may be shot, but it could also be a bad battery, worn battery cables, broken starter mounting bolts, a stuck neutral safety switch, the starter solenoid or armature.

If you suspect it’s your spark plugs, be sure to check our online cross reference catalog to choose the right spark plugs for your vehicle.

 

You’ve called plenty of races from your sofa or from the stands. Now, E3 Spark Plugs racing fans have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hang with the big boys and take in the view of the tracks from behind the steering wheel.  Power up your video camera and ready your audition for Ford’s Octane Academy.

Never heard of it? Octane Academy is an all-new action sports program that pairs the gutsiest young race fans out there with four of today’s top racers: Vaughn Gittin, Jr., Ken Block, Tanner Faust and Brian Deegan. Chosen participants will attend four fantasy weekend camps designed and run by the pros, taking on an array of challenges and dares to see which participant can best measure up. And each will have to prove himself (or herself – we know lots of ladies that can give any guy out there a run for his racing money) from the drivers’ seats of Gittin Jr.’s Mustang drift car, Block’s and Foust’s rally machines and Deegan’s off-road trucks.

“Getting the chance to create my own challenges for the hard-core competitors who want to take on the challenge of Ford Octane Academy is going to be crazy,” said Deegan in a media release announcing the program. “I can’t wait to bring competitors to my spot, the Compound, to give them the ultimate Ford action-sports adventure.”

The best part? The overall winner of each camp will drive home a one-of-a-kind vehicle created by Block, Foust, Deegan or Gittin Jr.

While it’s a dream waiting to happen for a select few lucky racing fans, Octane Academy also is being lauded a genius marketing move by Ford. More than 300 action sports competitions take place each year, with more than 22 million athletes participating and more than $12.1 billion racking up in retail sales.

Think you’ve got what it takes to take on racing’s top pros? Hit up www.OctaneAcademy.com to find out how to register. And if you’re readying for your next race, or just looking to rev up your ride, remember that E3 Spark Plugs are “Born to Burn.”

 

The Monster Energy 250cc Kawasaki team dominated the podium once again at Round 8 of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship last weekend in Washougal, WA. Geico Honda’s Justin Barcia led the Lites class through turn one of the first moto ahead of Pro Circuit’s Blake Baggett and DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha’s Ryan Sipes. El Chupacabra wasted little time and quickly passed Barcia for the lead but Sipes, who was fastest of day in qualifying, would take the lead away before the close of lap one. Series points leader, Dean Wilson, had a bad start, clipped the fence and was struggling to work his way forward.

Although Sipes has shown the speed to unseat the Pro Circuit trio of Baggett, Wilson and Rattray, the Yamaha rider has lacked consistency. After Baggett re-passed the Star Racing Yamaha, Sipes would make several mistakes dropping him to an eventual 15th place finish. In the mean time, his Yamaha teammate, Kyle Cunningham and the green bike of Tyla Rattray were working their way by Barcia. Rattray would try to close the gap on Baggett but finished 11 seconds to the rears. Cunningham held on for third place with Barcia in fourth followed by a hard-charging Dean Wilson in fifth. Local favorite Tommy Weeck finished sixth on his Motosport Hillsboro Honda.

Wilson’s hard charge continued in Moto 2 as the Scotsman rounded the first turn of the difficult Washougal track in the lead. Barcia, Baggett and Cunningham were stuck in the pack and working hard to get by slower riders. Mr. Consistency, Tyla Rattray, had put his Pro Circuit Kawasaki in second and would challenge Wilson late in the Moto 2. But, Wilson would hold on to a slim half-second lead at the finish line over Rattray followed by El Chupacabra in third giving the Monster Energy Kawasaki team its fifth sweep of the overall podium in just eight races. The DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha of Gareth Swanepoel crossed the line in fourth giving the South African a fifth place overall for the event.

Wilson retains the series points lead but once again failed to win an overall. Baggett’s 1-3 finishes gave the Kawasaki ace his fifth overall win for the season. Rattray, who is the only other Lites rider to win in 2011, finished second overall with Wilson in third. Cunningham’s 3-7 finishes added to the Yamaha rider’s streak of fourth-place overalls. Teams, riders and E3 spark plugs racing fans have the next two weekends off as everyone looks forward to Round 9 of the championship at the famed Unadilla MX track in New Berlin, NY. If you’re looking for a high performance car, truck, motorcycle or snowmobile spark plugs, stop by your favorite discount or auto parts store and pick up a box of E3 replacement plugs for your ride.

 

July 8 is Collector Car Appreciation Day. How do you plan to celebrate? Car shows, cruises and club gatherings no doubt are scheduled all across the country this weekend. You’re bound to see some beautiful sights and we  hope you’ll share them with E3 Spark Plugs.

Collector Car Appreciation Day first came about last year when the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Councils successfully lobbied the passing of Senate Resolution 513. Sponsored by Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus members Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), the day pays tribute to America’s ongoing love affair with all-things-automotive and to the automobile’s unique place in our country’s history. SEMA, ARMO and HRIA now are working to secure a Congressional resolution for Collector Car Appreciation Day.

“The industry endeavors to preserve our nation’s automotive heritage while providing well-paying, high-skilled jobs nationwide,” said Rick Love, Chairman-elect of SEMA’s HRIA Council. “Collector Car Appreciation Day is a singular tribute to this industry and the millions of hobbyists it supports.”

E3 Spark Plugs wholeheartedly supports this effort. We believe that no single invention has driven America’s technological, social or cultural progress quite like the automobile (pun intended). We’d love to hear your thoughts and see your photos/videos of your Collector Car Appreciation Day experience or your own automotive treasures. Leave us a comment here or post on our Facebook fan page. And remember to stock your vintage ride with E3 car spark plugs, E3 truck spark plugs or E3 motorcycle spark plugs to make her purr like a kitten and drive like she’s brand new.

Rev up your Independence Day weekend with one heck of an action-packed, steel -splintering, city-smashing man-movie. E3 Spark Plugs’ flick pick for the July 4 weekend is Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

The third installment of Michael Bay’s Transformers saga opened Wednesday and, while it’s not expected to outdo sales figures for 2009′s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, it is well on track to prove the highest-grossing debut of the year. Box office forecasters expect the Paramount film to rake in around $150 million through the Independence Day weekend. Dark of the Moon opened Wednesday with $37.3 million, the best opening day of the year (though still 40 percent below the $62 million that Fallen collected when it opened in 2009).

In the newest Transformers film, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and Seymour Simmons (John Turturro) pour over files given to Sam by a coworker who promptly falls to his death from an office highrise window. They realize that a number of people involved with the cover up of the 1961 moon crash of the Ark, a Cybertron spacecraft, have died mysteriously and that several planned Russian moon missions had been inexplicably cancelled. So, they track two defected cosmonauts to a seedy bar and learn that before American landed on the mood, satellites had snapped photos revealing strange tracks and stacked objects much like the five pillars recovered by Sentinel Prime, who, by the way, is resurrected in Dark of the Moon and is none too happy to find out that NASA apparently left a whole lotta stuff behind.

Meanwhile,  Autobots Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Enzo, and Que attempt to take out an illegal Middle-Eastern nuclear plant and Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel) is informed by a Ukranian about something strange going on around the Chernobyl disaster site. Lennox leads a team along with Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) and Ratchet (Robert Foxworth) into the radioactive site and discovers a fuel cell from the Ark, and something even more shocking: the Decepticon Shockwave (Frank Welker) and a giant drilling robot at his command.

Decepticons disguised as everything from SUVs to office copy machines to a wrist watch bust out of every corner. Sam learns that the father of the same irritating pretty boy trying steal his girl had cooked the books at NASA, nixing the Russian moon landings. Damsel-in-distress Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) gets stuck inside a Mercedes-turned-Decepticon Soundwave. And some good guys glide into the Decepticon-soaked danger zone via flying squirrel suits. Seriously.

Also on the big screen, Disney/Pixar’s Cars 2. It’s a great family film. Watch for the spark plugs and other random car parts hidden in the Parisian art and architecture throughout. Visit E3 Spark Plugs’ Facebook fan page and let us know what you think of Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Cars 2.

 

 

Round 5 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series presented by Geico and co-sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs got underway Saturday at the Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. Fans were loving the sunny springtime weather and the excitement got kicked up a notch with the presence of off-road legend and NASCAR star Robby Gordon competing in the weekend’s Pro 2 Unlimited field.

Before the engines revved, racers, staff and fans paid tribute to the late Jeff “Ox” Kargola, who passed away April 29 after sustaining a head injury on the second day of the Desert Assassins’ Rip to the Tip motocross event in Baja, CA. Kargola was among the rising stars of the series and is deeply missed.

In Saturday’s Pro 4, Rick Huseman was a marked man, having won the first four races. Sure enough, he bolted out front, followed closely by Adrian Cenni and all three LeDucs – Kyle, Todd and Curt. But, that didn’t last. Cenni ended up in the hot pits on lap six with an unknown issue. Todd LeDuc suffered a shredded left rear tire compliments of a determined Carl Renezeder.

When the green flag dropped after a competition yellow, Renezeder charged past Huseman. The on-track upset didn’t set well with Huseman, who over-jumped the tabletop into turn two of lap 14, planting his front bumper and nearly sidelining himself. The result was a broken shock that kept him from catching up with Renezeder, who gradually increased his lead all the way to the checkered flag. Huseman managed second place followed by Kent Brascho, Josh Merrell and Todd LeDuc.

The Pro 2 Unlimited provided some serious fireworks – literally. The race began with Renezeder and Robby Gordon starting side by side. Renezeder quickly took the lead with Gordon charging hard behind in the first lap, but pulled off the track and out of the race before completing the second lap. The race continued with two red flags for fires onboard Robby Woods’ and John Gaston’s machines. Robbie Pierce’s rollover in turn three brought full course caution. Flat tires for Brian Deegan and Rob Naughton, plus a scary-looking crash that involved Rodrigo Ampudia over-jumping into turn five and landing on Naughton’s side added to the suspense. When the dust and smoke cleared, it was Renezeder who held on for a clean sweep of the two big truck classes. Rob McCachren took second followed by Deegan, Ampudia and Naughton.

E3  Spark Plugs racing fans, be sure to check our next blog for Pro 4 and Pro 2 highlights from Round 6 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.