E3 Spark Plugs has a few great stocking stuffer tips for the auto buff you love.

Are you a serious slacker when it comes to holiday shopping? No worries. E3 Spark Plugs has a few great ideas for those last-minute, stocking-stuffer gifts for the auto buff on your Christmas list.

• A good read: A subscription to an auto magazine is always a welcome gift from a car enthusiast. There are lots to choose from. Publications like Automotive News and AutoWeek, which offer across-the-board industry coverage. Others like European Car, Hot Rod and Vette cater to car lovers with particular automotive interests.

• That’s the ticket: A pair of tickets to a great auto event, whether to a mud-flinging Monster Truck show or a fancy-schmancy Concours d’Elegance, is sure to get you a sincere “OMG, I love it!”

• Help!: If there’s a teenager in the family who will be driving for the first time soon, consider a roadside emergency kit. AAA memberships are very popular holiday gifts for new drivers. An electronic tire gauge, a set of jumper cables and a battery- or cigarette lighter-powered car tire inflator (or at least a can of Fix-A-Flat) might not elicit the same shrieks of excitement as, say a new iPod pre-loaded with Justin Bieber tunes, but they’ll do doubt be much appreciate somewhere down the road.

• A thrill ride: For the experienced driver and dare devil in the family, spring for a gift certificate good toward a Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure package. Packages range from a four-lap intro for $195 to a full-throttle 80-lap experience for $3,695.

• Power surge: Of course, we’d be remiss without suggesting a set of E3 car, truck or motorcycle spark plugs Our favorite stocking stuffer will give your loved one a boost in engine power and efficiency, a little extra change in their pockets rather than the gas tank, and a bit of feel-good mojo knowing that a cleaner ride is good for the environment.

Got more great stocking stuffer ideas? Post them on our E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page. And remember to keep it safe on the roadways this holiday season. Slow down, watch out for impaired drivers and, if you plant to imbibe in a little liquid joy yourself, designate a non-drinking driver. From all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and best wishes for the New Year!

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!

Johnny Depp and Aaron Eckhart. along with a few great vintage rides, star in the film adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's "The Rum Diary." This late 1950s Austin Healy just might be our favorite.

After years of will-it or won’t-it-get-made speculation, the Johnny Depp-fronted adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s The Rum Diary finally hits theater screens nationwide Friday. We here at E3 Spark Plugs have been waiting with bated breath for this one. Not just for the crazed Gonzo brand of entertainment. Not just because Amber Heard is a stone cold hottie. Not just because any movie with a line like “We’ll nail this bastard to his own front door” has to be a good one. But for the parade of sweet (and just plain funny) vintage rides.

The Rum Diary is the story of Paul Kemp (played by Depp in a young Thompson-esque way), a divorced, anti-authoritarian boozehound of a journalist who jettisons the madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America for the beautiful Puerto Rico to write for The San Juan Star, a tiny local newspaper on its last legs. Kemp quickly adapts to the rum-soaked island life and develops an obsession for the beautiful Chenault (Heard). Trouble is, Chenault just happens to be engaged to Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart), who just happens to be a corrupt developer bent on turning the pristine island into a capitalist paradise sucking up to the wealthy. Sanderson recruits Kemp to write some positive fluff about his latest scheme, which sets the film up for its major conflict: Kemp must decide whether to use his words to benefit the sleazy businessmen’s bottom line or to take the bastards down.

Great storyline, no doubt. But what we love are the great vintage vehicles you’ll see all through the film, set in the late 1950s. The trailer opens with Kemp driving a sweet candy apple red ’59 Corvette, which Producer Graham King let Depp take home after filming wrapped. That’s the kind of employment bonus we should all be so lucky to land. Another jaw dropper is Sanderson’s late 1950s Austin Healey. You gotta love the decidedly less glam Fiat 500 minus doors, a roof and a front seat – kinda like that loveable loser friend you’re always bailing out of trouble and but keep around anyway. And who doesn’t dig a vintage motorcycle with Giovanni Ribisi in a sidecar. We’re not sure of the model, but we’re thinking it’s a Harley 45. Incidentally, we hear the film has inspired a jam band named Giovanni Ribisi in a Motorcycle Sidecar.

Got a favorite vintage ride featured in a period film? E3 Spark Plugs wants to know. Leave us a comment on our blog or on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

New gasoline saving technologies are expected to show up in many new makes and models over the next few years. Combine them with E3 car or truck spark plugs and you'll see your fuel costs slashed.

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 a half of million motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to travel to the Black Hills of South Dakota for the 71st Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

For over seven decades, motorcycle enthusiasts and E3 Spark Plugs racing fans have made the annual trek to Sturgis, South Dakota, for what is arguably the largest bike rally held in the United States. Both the Sturgis Rally and Daytona Bike Week typically draw several hundred thousand bikers to their respective venues with a reported 750,000-plus having attended the Sturgis event in 2000. This year over half a million motorcycle riders and their families are expected to migrate to the Black Hills for the official week of festivities from August 8th through August 14th.

Since the initial rally in 1938, which featured a single motorcycle race known as the “Black Hills Classic”, the event has grown to include something for everyone. With the revitalization of motorcycling across America, many new attendees now travel in campers, bring the kids and trailer their bikes. The 2011 Sturgis rally schedule features incredible live concerts, motorcycle races, beauty contests, midget bowling, burn-outs, charity rides and lots of good food. Although there are several places to park it for the night, none are more famous than the Buffalo Chip Campground.

On stage performers scheduled at the Buffalo Chip include Alice Cooper, Styx, Edgar Winter, Pop Evil, Sweet Cyanide, Buckcherry, Def Leppard, Toby Keith, Poison, Gregg Allman, Stevie Nicks, Saving Abel, Puddle of Mudd, George Thorogood, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and John Fogerty. In addition, the Bob Woodruff Foundation that helps educate the public about the needs of service members returning from war will host a charity event at the “Chip” (the American Thunder Music Festival) on Aug. 11 featuring actor/singer Jeff Bridges performing songs from his Academy Award winning movie “Crazy Heart”.

In between the bar hopping, hitting up the bike shows, attending concerts and watching motorcycle races at the famed Sturgis half-mile, event goers can stroll the vendor’s booths along Lazelle and Main Streets. A welcomed change for this year’s Black Hills festival will be improved traffic patterns. The State of South Dakota Highway Department and local officials worked together to develop new routes and improve the management of traffic signals to better facilitate the massive crowds. Plus, event promoters have promised more hot water and flushable toilets in prime public areas.

Before you head north, stop by your favorite motorcycle shop or discount auto parts store for a box of E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs and discover for yourself why E3 replacement plugs are “Born to Burn”. If you’re hauling your bikes to Sturgis, you can improve the performance of your favorite ride with a new set of E3 car or truck spark plugs featuring E3′s patented DiamondFire technology. Safe travel and keep it on two wheels.

Chill out, lady! That check engine light might just mean it's time for new spark plugs.

Nothing elicits an “Oh, crap!” like the ding and glow of a “check engine” light popping on while you’re cruising down First Street with the top down and not a care in the world. Except of course for the thought of the impending mechanical and financial doom to which you’ve just been alerted. But don’t panic yet. E3 Spark Plugs has a list of the most common issues that kick on your check engine light and a few of them are simple and inexpensive.

1. Replace oxygen (O2) sensor: The O2 sensor monitors the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust and tells your vehicle’s computer when there is too much or not enough fuel. A bum sensor costs less than $200 to repair including parts and labor. Ignore it, and you can bet on a drop in your gas mileage up to 40 percent – an average $700 a year in wasted fuel.
2. Replace gas cap: Missing, damaged or loose gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year. Not only does it harm the environment, but it can drop your gas mileage by 0.5%. Depending on the make, model and age of your vehicle, a gas cap can average $10 for a traditional vacuum cap to around $30 for a locking gas cap (recommended if you live one of the areas where gas siphoning and theft is a growing problem).
3. Replace catalytic converter: A catalytic converter typically fails only when related (and usually much less expensive) parts like faulty spark plugs are ignored for too long. All that denial eventually will force replacement and repair costs in the neighborhood of $2000.
4. Replace mass air flow sensor: The MAF sensor measures the amount of air entering your car’s engine and, therefore, how much fuel should be injected into the engine. A faulty sensor can cause a range of problems including stalling, misfiring and poor acceleration. Repair costs vary widely depending on your vehicle’s make, model and year – from $175 to more than $600.
5. Replace spark plugs/wires: Besides the gas cap, replacing your spark plugs and wires is the least expensive of the most common check engine light fixes. If you’re handy with tools, it’s the cost of the spark plugs and wires plus an hour or so of your time. And if your shop charges more than about a $100 for both combined, get yourself a new mechanic. Be sure to ask for E3 car spark plugs or E3 truck spark plugs for a cleaner and more efficient burn.

Info comes by way of the inaugural CarMD Vehicle Health Index, a new annual report aimed at clearing the mystery of the ever-ominous check engine light by ranking the most common automotive failures that prompt the light, along with the associated fixes and repair costs.

“As our nationwide network of automotive technicians diagnose and repair vehicles, they upload information to our online system, which enables CarMD to create an unprecedented compilation of data and level of transparency never before available,” said Art Jacobsen, vice president, CarMD.com Corp. “We are pleased to share this data publicly for the first time, and believe it will be useful to consumers, automotive technicians and the industry as they maintain and evaluate new and used vehicles.”

Check out the full report here. Tell ‘em E3 Spark Plugs sent you.

Check out the spark plug topping London's Big Ben in the upcoming "Cars 2." Copyright Disney/Pixar

Why, yes. As a matter of fact, that is a spark plug perched atop London’s famed Big Ben in Disney/Pixar’s new animated film “Cars 2.”

Watch out, ladies – “Mater’s fiddin’ to get funky” in this sequel to the 1996 Oscar-nominated “Cars.” This time, hero Lightning McQueen and his trusty sidekick Tow Mater jettison Radiator Springs and go international to compete for props as the world’s fastest car in the inaugural World Grand Prix. But it’s the bumbling and beloved Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) who gets the real screen hero action when he’s tapped for a top-secret spy mission and quickly gets in over his headlights.

“Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world,” the plot summary reads. Secret agents, menacing villains and cutthroat international racing competitors round out the cast lent voices by some of Hollywood’s top film and TV stars: Owen Wilson, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Cheech Marin and Tony Shalhoub, to name a few.

Here at E3 Spark Plugs, we’re digging the “CARified” elements in the background animation, including the spark plugs that sit high atop London’s Big Ben and France’s iconic Eiffel Tower. Arches at the famed tower’s base take the form of wheels topped by car grill facades. We also spotted several spark plugs in Disney/Pixar’s redesign of the signature casinos of the European Riviera and the U.K.’s House of Parliament.

“Cars 2″ is set for release June 24 and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D in select theaters. Take a look at the trailer and let us know that you think.

E3 Spark Plugs offers tips for taking care of your pre-owned or older vehicle.

If you’re in the market for a new ride, don’t discount the possibility of a high-quality used vehicle. A pre-owned car or truck costs less than a new vehicle both in purchase price and insurance rates. But it can cost you in repairs if you don’t take a little extra care. E3 Spark Plugs offers a few tips for taking care of an older or pre-owned vehicle.

1. Find that auto owner’s manual and use it! Follow all of the manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance recommendations. Starting early with this one, and keeping consistent with it can help extend the life of your vehicle and keep it running smoothly.
2. Get regular tune-ups and cooling system flushes. And be sure to replace your spark plugs, transmission fluid, and fuel and air filters regularly.
3. Keep the oil changed as recommended. Opinions and factors vary as to that long-held 3,000-mile rule, but with an older vehicle, it’s best to err on the cautious side.
4. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge, making sure it stays between 190 and 225, particularly during the hot summer months. If the over-heat light comes on, don’t try to make it that last mile or two home. Pull over immediately or chance some pricy damage to your engine. Even if your engine survives, running your vehicle hot is hard on engine bearings, piston rings and cylinder walls.
5. Don’t drive like you think you’re in an episode of “Madhouse.” Fast or aggressive driving wears on an engine, not to mention your tires.
6. Listen to your vehicle. That new clicking/swishing/grinding sound means something, and minor issues become major issues when they’re not dealt with quickly.
7. Have a friend drive your car occasionally. It’s kinda like that funky smell you don’t notice once you’re used to it. A second opinion behind the wheel can help point out issues you may have missed.
8. Keep your vehicle clean inside and out. Paint not only makes your ride look sweet, it protects the body, too. And that tracked-in sand and grime can eat away at your upholstery – and your vehicle’s resale value.

Remember, when you go to change those spark plugs, E3 car spark plugs and truck spark plugs are designed for a cleaner, stronger more efficient burn – perfect for older vehicles.

E3 Spark Plugs can help you conserve gas and save money this holiday travel season.

As the economy continues to recover, everyone is looking for ways to cut costs and still get their day-to-day running done, especially during the holiday travel season. To that end, E3 Spark Plugs and AAA offer a few tips to help drivers conserve gas, save cash and boost air quality for everyone:

• Check your tire pressure. Underinflated tires cut your fuel economy by upwards of two percent per pound of pressure below recommended levels. In fact, the increased resistance in underinflated tires on our highways wastes nearly 1.2 billion gallons of fuel per year according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Not to mention, they’re a real safety hazard on the roadways.

• Replace clogged air filters. They can cause up to a 10 percent jump in fuel consumption.

• A little junk in the trunk is great for your woman – not so much for your gas mileage. Every 100 extra pounds you haul around in your trunk, backseat or pickup bed can cost you a mile per gallon. Clear it out.

• Car pool, take the bus or at least do a little pre-planning when it comes to running errands. Write a shopping list for the week and make one trip to town, rather than half a dozen ones for all the stuff you forgot the first time. Leave a few minutes early to avoid being stuck in rush hour traffic jams.

• If you’re traveling long distance, plan a route that bypasses construction zones and big-city congestion areas. And reserve a hotel room before you head out, so you’re not circling unfamiliar streets searching for a “Vacancy” sign.

• Slow down and chill out. The faster you drive, the more gas you burn. And aggressive driving and quick stops and starts waste an average two miles per gallon. So set your cruise control to a reasonable speed and relax.

• Skip the premium and mid-grade fuel if your vehicle’s owner manual doesn’t specifically require it.

• And, of course, replace worn spark plugs with new E3 car spark plugs, truck spark plugs or motorcycle spark plugs. E3′s DiamondFire technology makes our spark plug a proven leader in reducing fuel consumption, toxic emissions and costs.

Happy holiday traveling!

Summit RTR truck by Traxxas, the nation's top RCR vehicle maker. See Traxxas trucks in action at the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Series presented by E3 Spark Plugs Oct. 30.

That’s not all, though. Traxxas serves up more action with a high-flying stunt demonstration featuring its 65+mph E-Revo Brushless Edition, touted the fastest and most technologically advanced RC truck in the company’s extensive lineup of Ready-to-Race vehicles.

“This should be pretty cool for our fans to watch,” said Mike Karsting, VP of Events for Source Interlink Media told reporters. “It’ll be interesting to see how Traxxas’ RC trucks will handle things like the Monster Matrix and Moose Racing Boulder Mountain, and I’m curious to see if they can make it up and over the Kenda Giant Tire finish line.”

Based in Plano, TX, Traxxas creates, designs and manufactures hobby-class radio controlled cars, trucks and boats in nitro and electric categories. With a history of developing innovative, industry-changing products, Traxxas has been the No. 1 selling name in RTR nitro and electric models for the past four years. It’s no wonder – Traxxas’ staff includes a Research and Development department made up of highly experienced engineers who use advanced modeling software, computer-aided machining and a custom-built dynamometer to create and test each new product.

Round five of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Series presented by E3 Spark Plugs happens Saturday, Oct. 30 at the Denver National Western Complex. It’s the last before the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships Nov. 20 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Get your tickets at the EnduroCross website. And get your own ride in RTR condition with E3 performance spark plugs for your car, truck or motorcycle.