E3 Spark Plugs News

E3 Spark Plugs launches a brand new look!

Hey E3 Spark Plugs fans, check out our new look! E3 Spark Plugs is launching a revamped website and social media sites this week. Our updated look is cleaner, more streamlined and easier to navigate. And you’ll find a few new goodies.

New features include:

• A tech support section with a chart designed to help you apply the correct torque to your new spark plugs, information on spark plug gapping, tech tips and videos, a cross-reference guide to help you choose the right spark plugs for your automotive, powersports or lawn and garden engines, plus warranty information;
• A continuously updated video section featuring how-to videos, our commercials and racing highlights;
• A testimonial section where you can see what people are saying about E3 Spark Plugs and add your own comments;
• An events calendar listing all upcoming racing and promotional events featuring or sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs.

“We are excited about our the launch of our newly redesigned website and social media pages,” says Steve Joiner, E3 Spark Plugs’ Vice President of Sales and Marketing “E3 is committed to providing in-depth information about our products and promotional activities. These sites will allow our customers and fans to keep up with all the different programs and events that E3 is involved in all over the country.”

Based in beautiful Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, E3 Spark Plugs developed its patented DiamondFire technology in conjunction with researchers from leading engineering universities. Utilizing a unique, diamond-shaped, edge-to-edge approach, E3 spark plugs are designed to deliver more power, improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and extend the life of your engine.

Our new look will launch this week. Are we missing something you’d like to see? Leave us a comment on our blog or on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

Looking to buy a used snowmobile? E3 Spark Plugs offers some buyers-beware tips.

If the pristine, powdered landscape has you aching to throw some snow into the air, it just might be time to pony up some change for a sled. If you’re eyeing a used snowmobile, E3 Spark Plugs has 10 top tips for choosing a sled that’ll keep you riding the slopes for years.

1. Resist the temptation to buy the first shiny sled you see. Study up on the models and features you want before you venture out on your shopping spree and be sure to bring a flashlight and a friend so you can see all the dark crannies and get a second, and likely more objective opinion.
2. Start ‘er up. If you’re considering a sled being sold by a private owner, ask that it not be “warmed up” prior to your visit. You’ll want to know how well the engine does with a cold start.
3. Check for clues that the snowmobile has been crashed. A few tell-tale signs are deep scratches on the running boards and plastic; a non-standard paint job; cracks in the body work (remove or run your fingers over any stickers, as they’re often used to hide cracks; twisted, bent, toed-in or toed-out skis; handlebars that are cracked, bent or appear to have been replaced.
4. Check for clues it’s been raced. Racing or aggressive riding put some real stress on machinery, but then again, racing sleds often are the best maintained you’ll find. Look for holes drilled through the bolt heads; cracks or welds in the frame, around the engine mounts and in the front cowling brackets. If the sled has been raced, ask for maintenance records and make sure it’s priced accordingly.
5. Look for tears or cracks in the vinyl seat cover. Cracked or torn seat covers retain water and the resulting cold, wet spot on your butt will make for quite the uncomfortable ride. If you love the rest of the sled, know that new upholstery will cost you upwards of $150.
6. Inspect the track. Look for cracking, dry-rot and excessive rust – all of which can leave you and your snowmobile stranded. Not fun. Especially if you also have a wet butt.
7. Check the brakes, brake pads and brake fluid.
8. Peek inside the gas tank. If it’s discolored or has rust, sediment or a milky white paint-like coating, expect to pay for a thorough fuel system cleaning.
9. Make sure all the electric features work. These include the headlights, signaling and instrument-cluster lights and kill switches.
10. Ask how often the suspension was serviced. The answer should be at least once a year.

When you get your new sled home, be sure to outfit it with a new set of E3 snowmobile spark plugs for a cleaner, stronger burn. Be safe and keep the shiny side up.

1952 Wienermobile

It’s as recognizable an American Icon as Disney’s mouse ears or McDonald’s golden arches. And the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile is wrapping up a year-long birthday celebration. First constructed to promote “Oscar Meyer German Wieners” in 1936, the mack daddy of promotional vehicles turned 75 in 2011. And E3 Spark Plugs wants to send congratulations on 75 wild, wacky and wonderful years.

The first Wienermobile was created by Oscar Mayer’s nephew, Carl G. Mayer and has served as the basic model for all later generations. Each Wienermobile has traveled the country, making stops at major events, museums, car shows, festivals, grand openings, parades, schools, children’s homes and hospitals – anywhere they could spread a little joy and garner a little media attention. World War II gasoline rationing kept the Wienermobile parked for much of the 1940s. But the Rock & Roll era of the 1950s brought five new Wienermobiles that not only looked cool, but also rocked high-fidelity sound systems. You can see two of them at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan and the nearby Greenfield Village’s Wienermobile Café

From 1969 through the 1970s, new Wienermobiles were built on Chevrolet chassis and featured for Thunderbird tail lights. The 1969 model was the first to travel overseas. The year 1988 saw another first – the launch of Oscar Mayer’s Hotdogger program, wherein recent college graduates are hired to drive the 10-frank fleet of Wienermobiles built on converted Chevrolet van chassis, meeting fans and handing out Wienermobile-shaped toy whistles dubbed “Wienerwhistles.”

In 1995, the Wienermobile grew in size to 27 feet long and 11 feet high. More recent versions are teched-out with voice activated GPS navigation, an audio center with a wireless microphone and external speakers, gull wing doors and a horn that plays the Wiener Jingle in 21 different genres, from Cajun to Rap to Bossa Nova.

Today, there are eight active Wienermobiles running America’s highways. And the Hotdogger program is still going strong. If you’re a college student who will be graduating next term, this could be the job of a lifetime. Hotdogger stints last from June to June and you’ll visit college campuses around the country. Upwards of 2,000 students apply each year and only 12 are chosen, so fire off your resume today! And good luck from E3 Spark Plugs!

The Toyota Fun Vii just might be the coolest futuristic concept car we've seen to date.

Well, it can’t fly, it won’t deploy your kids and wife to school or to the mall in their own domed, one-man flying saucer directly from the car’s floor, and it won’t fold up into a stylish little briefcase like George Jetson’s iconic ride. But Toyota’s new Fun-Vii concept car can do just about anything else you’ve imagined that the car of the future would do. We’re just not sure where the spark plugs go.

Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show earlier this month the Fun V-ii (which stands for “Vehicle Interactive Internet) is being described as a smartphone on four wheels. And it takes personalization to the extreme. At first glance the car looks a bit like an oversized, curved-out iPod docking station with a smooth black finish and silver accents. But those looks can change with the swish of a fingertip across a smartphone screen. That’s because the car’s exterior surface essentially is a digital interface that can display any color or photo chosen, or even reflect the surroundings as a the car drives down the street.

Inside, a driver and two passengers have more legroom than you’ve ever seen in a compact car. Dashboard displays include a hot little hologram assistant popping out of the digital ethers to help you find a great little coffee shop. And the car’s interior walls feature the same customized visual options as the exterior surface. Want to set a romantic tone for the evening? How about a covering the walls with images of rose petals? Or, bring the outside in by displaying the local scenery on the car’s walls. You’ll feel like you’re cruising in one of James Bond’s invisible cars.

Digital features allow a driver to run an automotive diagnostics test, get a weather forecast, check email, locate friends and talk with the people in the car two lanes over without ever picking up a smartphone or rolling down a window. There’s even an autopilot option so you can Facebook/eat lunch/kiss your girlfriend/call your mom/knit a sweater, etc. and still get to your destination without causing a multi-car pileup on the Interstate.

Too far-fetched to ever become reality? Check out the video and decide for yourself. In the meantime, E3 Spark Plugs wants to know: Which is your all-time favorite TV or movie futuristic ride? And would you rather have this…

Or this?…

Holiday shopping for a car buff? California's King Bag Co. creates funky, fashionable purses, travel bags and messenger bags from vintage auto seat covers.

You know what’s difficult about buying a holiday gift for a car buff? Selecting just one! There is a wealth of cool products and experiences out there sure to make the car, truck or motorcycle lover on your list happy. Here are a few favorites selected by E3 Spark Plugs‘ staff:

Corvette Car-a-Day 2012: Wouldn’t it be nice to have a different gorgeous vintage ‘Vette to drive each of the year’s 352 days? Sorry ’bout your luck. But all is not lost. With the Corvette Car-a-Day 2012 calendar, you can at gaze across your desk at the antique car of your dreams. The calendar features more than 300 black-and-white photos of the legendary “America’s Sports Car” by David Newhardt and Chris Endres, two of the nation’s leading automotive photographers. And it comes with a bonus: a die-cast Corvette toy.

Cover of Tom Cotter's "The Vincent in the Barn: Great Stories of Motorcycle Archaeology"

The Vincent in the Barn: They are words to the vintage motorcycle lover’s ears: “You know, there’s an old bike that’s been sitting in this garage for years.” Variations of that one line have kick-started many a journey to find and restore a genuine classic bike rescued from the hollows of long-forgotten garages, basements, barns, sheds and fields. The Vincent in the Barn: Great Stories of Motorcycle Archaeology is the latest of Author Tom Cotter’s “In the Barn” series of photographic short-story books that chronicle the discovery and restoration of classic rides. “You never know what you might find in a barn, back of a garage or under a dusty tarp,” says CycleWorld of the 256-page book.

Hemmings Car Lover’s Cruise: Now this is the gift that will truly impress. And it will give the auto buff you love something to look forward to in 2012. Hemmings Motor News’ annual Car Lovers Cruise departs from Rome August 13th and makes stops in Santorini, Athens and Mykonos, Greece; Istanbul and Ephesus, Turkey; and Naples, Italy before returning to port in Rome. While at sea, passengers will enjoy automotive seminars, private cocktail parties and mixing and mingling with automotive enthusiasts from around the world.

Monticello Motor Club: Billed as North America’s premier automotive resort and racetrack, the Monticello Motor Club offers great getaway packages for car lovers. Excursions will include the one-day Cadillac CTS-V High Performance Driving Experience, a two-day racing school and exclusive racing gifts and gear. It’s located in Monticello, NY at the foot of the Catskill Mountains and promises to be the gift that’ll put everything else under the Christmas tree to shame.

King Bag Co.: For the fashionable car buff on your list, you can’t go wrong with a selection from the King Bag Co. When the iconic King Kovers auto upholstery shop in uptown Oakland went out of business, artist Bobby Glasser went on a liquidation sale shopping spree, buying all the vintage (mostly 1950s-era) seat covers, seat belts and other assorted upholstery scraps he could get his hands on. Today, that material has been reborn as bowling bag-styled purses, travel bags, messenger bags and coin purses in funky retro patterns and colors. Look for King Bag Co. products in stores throughout California or on the company’s Etsy site.

From all of us at E3 Spark Plugs – Happy holiday shopping!

Sneak peek of the 2013 Dodge Dart.

The last time you could buy a brand new Dodge Dart was the same year moviegoers were lining up for The Rocky Horror Picture Show, newshounds were following the Watergate trials, Peter Gabriel was still the Genesis frontman and Bob Chandler was tooling away in his garage, creating the first Monster Truck Bigfoot. Until now, that is. Yep – the Dodge Dart is back. But this ain’t your granny’s Slant-Six lead sled.

Next year, Dodge will revive the Dart name for its newest small car, replacing the ailing Caliber. It’s designed is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and will hit the streets with a choice of three engines: the Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter, a 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir® Intercooled Turbo, and a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir® four-cylinder engine. Dodge marketers are billing the 2013 Dart as a four-door sedan that “redefines performance” and “brings fun back to driving” in the compact car segment.

1960 Dodge Dart. Photo credit: DDCoral / Shutterstock.com

The original Dodge Dart was produced from 1960-1976. Initially, the Dodge suits didn’t like the name and doled out big money to a hotshot marketing firm who came back with a gloriously bad recommendation: the “Dodge Zipp.”

“Um. Nevermind,” the suits said. And the newest Dodge kept its Dart moniker, a nod to the Convair F-106 Delta Dart, at the time a new military aircraft, and the 1960s Space Race craze. The Dart’s GTS muscle version of the late 1960s is the one most revered by fans and romanticized by filmmakers. But the 1970s models’ overuse in TV shows of the era, plus the 1998-2006 That ’70s Show, deemed the collective late-model Dodge Dart “Grandma’s car.”

1971 Dodge Dart Swinger. Photo in public domain, courtesy of Wikipedia.

The world will get its first full look at the new Dodge Dart at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Until then, you can get a glimpse on the Dodge website. But be forewarned that a frustrating teaser is all you’ll see. Thus far, Dodge has released only a series of extreme close-ups of select features. Remember those face-only shots of Marlon Brando’s Col. Kurtz character in Apocalypse Now? Yeah. That’s kinda what you’ll get until January.

So, E3 Spark Plugs fans, which is your favorite Dodge Dart? Will your car buff heart remain loyal to the reverse-finned ’60s models or the angular-edged ’70s Swingers? Or are you waiting with bated breath for the Dart’s new era? Post your thought on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page. And in the meantime, enjoy this vintage Dodge Dart commercial from 1966 – Join the Dodge Rebellion, baby!

"Revenge of the Electric Car" offers an unprecedented look into electric car research and development programs of America's automakers.

Documentary film director Chris Paine’s follow up to the controversial 2006 Who Killed the Electric Car is proving just as thought-provoking and entertaining as his first cinematic attempt to out automakers he believes are intentionally hindering development of electric cars with mass-market appeal. E3 Spark Plugs finds Revenge of the Electric Car a fascinating look into the inner workings of automakers’ electric car research and development programs and one eccentric drivers’ dogged determination to defy the automotive powers-that-be.

In Who Killed the Electric Car, Paine sought to educate the masses about the electric car’s place in history and expose the destruction in the early 2000s of thousands of new electric cars – by the same car companies that made them. The film took to task officials who squelched the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, along with the laundry list of “accomplices,” including the government, Big Oil, hydrogen proponents and SUV-loving consumers. Today, the industry is seeing a resurgence in the demand for low- or no-emission vehicles and a few automakers are in a heated race to finally bring a widely-accepted option to the market.

A primary draw of Revenge of the Electric Car for viewers is the film crew’s unprecedented access to R&D programs at General Motors, Nissan and Tesla Motors. The cast of real life characters includes legendary GM executive Bob Lutz, Nissan CEO and President Carlos Ghosn and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, as well as Greg “Gadget” Abbott – the eccentric who just won’t wait for the big boys to man up. Each is in a heated race against the others to develop and deliver the electric car that even the most skeptical American drivers will embrace. Also making entertaining appearances are Hollywood hitters Tim Robbins (who narrates), Danny DeVito, Jon Favreau, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Adrian Grenier along with Red Hot Chili Peppers front man Anthony Kiedis and political satirist Stephen Colbert .

Says New York Times Film Critic Daniel Gold: “Revenge is that rare artifact, a snapshot of a major industry shift on its way to a tipping point… a slick, enjoyable valentine to a retooling industry.”

And Jalopnik Senior Editor Mike Spinelli: “The strength of Revenge lies in its storytelling. The film’s multithreaded, character-driven narrative humanizes corporate entities that (Paine) once portrayed as monolithic, making a complex business story more gripping for its intimacy … The stakes are staggeringly high. We get the idea that building electric cars isn’t merely an act of political or social significance, it’s a brutally risky endeavor demanding superhuman devotion.”

Have you seen Revenge of the Electric Car? E3 Spark Plugs wants to hear your thoughts. Post them on our E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

BMW i8 Concept Car

If you didn’t make it to the LA Auto Show over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, no worries. E3 Spark Plugs has a few highlights from the 106-year-old event that started with 99 cars (including just one foreign import) on display at Morley’s Skating Rink in 1907. The 2011 show boasted more than 1,000 of the top 2011 makes and models of both domestic and import automobiles packed into the Los Angeles Convention Center. Here are a few of our favorites:

• 2013 Cadillac XTS: Hold on to your spark plugs – Granny’s land yacht just got a sexy makeover. Cadillac’s sleek new XTS replaces the big, boxy DTS. The company’s new flagship sedan boasts a smoother, more polished look with more curved exterior lines and a refined interior. It’s a bit more teched-out, too. The XTS marks the debut of the Cadillac CUE, a new touch screen infotainment system that allows for quick access to interior settings, weather forecasts and even your favorite Pandora Internet radio stations.

• 2013 Lincoln MKT: “Thar she blows!” At least that’s what some are (still) saying about the new Lincoln MKT SUV crossover. A major focus clearly was on exterior design and a direct effort to sway potential drivers unimpressed with the MKT’s looks heretofore. A top complaint had been the oversized grille that, many say, made the vehicle resemble the whale that ate Pinocchio. The new grill has sleeker, more slender lines, lacks horizontal elements and doesn’t extend quite as far down the front bumper. Some love it – some still say it looks like a set of cartoon teeth. In any case, we’re digging the tech features. Among them is a Lane Keeping Alert system that vibrates the steering wheel to warn drivers when they’re drifting out of their lanes without signaling, and a Driver Alert system that monitors driver’s inputs, sounding a chime and flashing a coffee cup icon in the gauge cluster if it senses a driver is getting drowsy.

• 2013 Chevy Spark: Designed for the young, eco-minded city dweller in mind, the new Chevy Spark offers a quirky little runt of a ride with great fuel mileage and a definitely different look. The Spark measures just 144.7 inches long – nearly two feet shorter than the subcompact Sonic. Yet the interior offers a surprisingly high amount of legroom for four occupants (42 inches in the front seat, 35 in the back). You won’t win a drag race in this one, but you will enjoy the tech features, including a seven-inch touch screen infotainment system with smartphone-based navigation and Bluetooth for hands-free calling. Look for the oversized headlight that some say resemble a Japanese anime character.

• BMW i8 Concept: Perhaps the straight-up coolest car we saw was the BMW i8 concept car with space-age looks and gull wing doors. This car looks like something out of Tron: Legacy, boasts some serious fuel mileage and is capable of accelerating from zero to 62mph in under five seconds. The hybrid travels 20 miles on electric power alone and comfortably seats four.

Did you hit the LA Auto Show this year? E3 Spark Plugs wants to know which new models are your favorites. Post your pics on our E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

The 2012 EnduroCross season expands to eight events.

Officials of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship Series announced its 2012 racing schedule. The 2012 Championship expands to eight events with the series kicking off in Las Vegas on Friday, May 4th on Supercross finals weekend.

Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” EnduroCross pits competitors against each other on extreme off-road tracks featuring boulders, logs, sand and mud pits, a water hole and other surprise obstacles like giant tires.

EnduroCross is a favorite of racing fans both in the stands and on the living room couch. Events air on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and the Versus network. Check TV listings for air dates. And if you don’t want to wait for the programming guys, mark your calendar to catch all the EnduroX events live.

2012 GEICO AMA EnduroCross Schedule

• May 4, Orleans Arena (Friday during Supercross weekend), Las Vegas, NV
• June 9, Power Balance Pavilion, Sacramento, CA
• Los Angeles, CA, date and venue TBD
• September 15, Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, CA
• October 6, National Western Complex, Denver, CO
• October 20, Comcast Arena, Everett, WA
• October 27, Idaho Center, Boise, ID
• November 17, Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV

E3 Spark Plugs is proud to co-sponsor the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship Series and looks forward to a hard-charging, thrill-packed racing season.

Headed out of town for Thanksgiving? E3 Spark Plugs offers family road trip tips.

If over the hills and through the woods to Grandmother’s house you go this Thanksgiving, be sure your ride is ready. E3 Spark Plugs offers a few road trip tips to help make your holiday a happy one – as long as you’re in the car, that is. You’re on your own with the in-laws and crazy Uncle Louie.

• Go with the flow: Check, change and/or top off all your car’s fluids including the oil, coolant, brake and transmission fluid. It’s a good idea to switch out for a high-quality new oil filter too, particularly if you’re traveling a long distance.
• Hit the brakes: The Thanksgiving holiday is the busiest time of the year on the roadways. Consider that it’s also a big NFL football day and that many post-game celebrants might be less than sober by the time they get back behind the wheel to head home. So being able to brake quickly and safely is critical. E3 Spark Plugs recommends getting a brake inspection before any holiday road trip to make sure your rotors are smooth and your brake pads remain thick. Also make sure your tires still have ample tread and that they’re aired up to proper pressure. Braking on bald or underinflated tires can have tragic results.
• Light up: It’s just the lights on your holiday decorations that are important. Make sure your headlights, tail lights and brake lights all are working as well. This is particularly important if you’re traveling in snowy or foggy weather. Plus, a burnt-out light bulb is a major cop-magnet and that high-dollar ticket will cut into your Black Friday budget.
• Banish bad blades: If it’s been six months or more since you last switched out your windshield wiper blades, chances are you need a new pair anyway. Driving in unfamiliar territory with a backseat full of antsy kids and a dish of green bean casserole is stressful enough. If it’s raining or snowing, a bum set of windshield wipers will really make you a cranky traveler.
• Keep it clean: If you’re traveling in wet weather, all that mud and muck will do a real number on your nice carpet-like floor mats. Opt for an inexpensive pair of all-weather mats for the duration of the trip. And clear your backseat, dashboard and trunk of all unnecessary items – including that 40-pound set of golf clubs. The reduced weight will help you maximize gas mileage and you’ll have more room for bringing home leftovers, Black Friday booty and sleepy kids.
• Keep the spark alive: Clean or replace your spark plugs to help maximize your car’s performance and your fuel economy. Be sure to check E3′s online catalog to make sure you’ve got the right set of car spark plugs or truck spark plugs for your vehicle.

From all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!