E3 Spark Plugs News

Surfing the web recently, we came across something that really hit home with all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs. Honda’s “The Power of Dreams” documentary series celebrates those who found the courage to follow their dreams, even at steep costs, and to turn failures into successes. The series of short films, available online, features an array of individuals including automotive and robotics engineers, racers, athletes, feature filmmakers, astronauts, aquanauts and others. Many of their successes positively impact not just the lives of those featured in the series, but lives of tens of thousands of people nationwide, even worldwide.

Featured in the series are several famous names including Indy car racer Danica Patrick, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, screenwriters whose feature film credits include “Star Trek” and “Transformers.” Others featured are engineers whose names you’ll likely never hear, but whose work affects your life every minute that you or your family is on the road. These individuals spend their lives working to make your vehicles safer, stronger, more fuel efficient and environmentally sensitive.

Among the films, one titled “Failure: The Secret to Success” was of particular interest to us here at E3 Spark Plugs. Our founders and early partners remember well the trial-and-error period we endured while working to revolutionize spark plug technology, creating a product that would help drivers conserve fuel, save money and lighten the burden on our environment. Early on, it seemed an impossible feat to many, sometimes even to ourselves. How could one make such a big impact by changing something as simple as a spark plug design?

Well, after many failures and back-to-the-drawing-board experiences, we finally succeeded – in a big way. E3 Spark Plugs’ patented DiamondFire technology does everything it was designed to do. Developed and tested with help from scientists and engineers at several leading research and technology universities, our spark plugs are proven to help drivers conserve fuel and save money. And the E3 spark plug is the only spark plug deemed an environmental emissions control device by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Two interviewees in Honda’s “Failure: The Secret to Success” documentary say it best:

“We can only make fantastic advances in technology through many failures.” – Takeo Fukui, former President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (2003-2009)

“Challenging the impossible is something only humans can do and it’s something we should do.” - Tatsuya Okabe, PhD, Chief Engineer of Brain Machine Interface at the Honda R&D Fundamental Technology Research Center.

Do you have an inspiring failure-to-success story? We want to hear it. Leave us a comment here on our blog.

We’ve all heard that simple measures like changing your spark plugs and filters and keeping your tires inflated can help save fuel. But exactly how much do those savings equal in dollars? It could be quite a lot, considering this winter’s unusual rise in gas prices. In a typical year, gas prices drop a few cents after Labor Day and rarely break $3 through the fall and winter, say economists with the Energy Information Administration. The National Association of Convenience Stores agrees, adding that retailers switch from more expensive summer blends to less expensive blends in the fall, and traditionally see prices at their lowest in January. Unfortunately, this year is anything but typical, with gas prices breaking $3 per gallon in most markets nationwide.

Changing your spark plugs a little early can save you a lot in gas mileage.

Here are some numbers to put it all in perspective. Crude oil prices are nearing $90 a barrel, spurred upward in part by a weakening of the dollar. When the dollar drops, investors are quick to bid on crude oil, driving up the per-barrel costs. For every dollar that crude oil prices rise, drivers pay about 2.5 cents more at the pump.

So how – and how much – can you save?

According to AAA, replacing your spark plugs before their stated life span is up can save up to $450 a year in wasted fuel. It’s during the last 20% of a spark plug’s life that misfires and incomplete combustion occurs most frequently, so changing them before you hit that last stretch can save you money, time and frustration.

Changing your air filter every 10,000 miles (about once a year for typical commuters) can save up to $270 a year. Dirty filters eat up your car’s fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Underinflated tires can cost you upwards of $600 in wasted fuel each year. Plus, they wear faster. What do your tire replacements cost? Add the potential costs associated with the increased risk of a tire-related car crash and it’s clear – keeping your tires inflated to the proper levels should be a non-negotiable no-brainer.

So far – that’s an average $1,320 you can save this year! Keeping your cool behind the wheel also saves. Aggressive driving with rapid acceleration and breaking can cut your gas mileage by five percent on city streets and a whopping 33 percent at highway speeds. Seriously. Chill out, dude.

Another tip – If you’ve to a load of errands to run, plan to run them all in one trip. Several cold-start short trips can suck up twice as much fuel as a longer trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.

Follow these tips and stick to E3 spark plugs for even more savings. Our DiamondFire technology means a stronger, cleaner, more efficient burn.

Snowmobile season is underway throughout the northern U.S. Is yours ready? E3 Spark Plugs offers a checklist to make you won’t find yourself stranded on the slopes.

Make sure you've got a new set of E3 snowmobile spark plugs before you head out onto the slopes this season.

First, top off before heading out for each ride. These include gas, oil, coolant and brake fluid. Make sure that you check the engine coolant level only when the engine is cold. This will prevent an inaccurate reading, not to mention the chance of burning your skin or eyes with hot coolant.

Check for proper chassis lubrication several times over the course of the season – at least three times, more if you use your snowmobile daily. Use a high quality, low temperature grease to help prevent premature wear and corrosion on your snowmobile’s steering and suspension components.

Also check for proper operation of your snowmobile’s throttle lever, throttle override system, brake lever, starter rope, engine stop switch, drive belt and track, sliders, skis and carbides.

It’s also recommended that you start each season with new spark plugs. Says one participant in recent snowmobiling online forum: “Find your local retailer that sells E3 spark plugs. They work better than any
other spark plug I have ever used in a snowmobile or auto application.”

We happen to agree. Log on to our website to find the right E3 snowmobile spark plugs for your particular model and enjoy the power and fuel efficiency of our patented DiamondFire technology, designed with the eco-conscious driver in mind.

GearZ TV's Stacey David

E3 Spark Plugs’ new 2011 sweepstakes is bigger and better than ever before! One lucky winner will be offered an opportunity to ride along with a professional BIGFOOT® driver in the E3 BIGFOOT Monster Truck, and he/she and a guest will have a chance to be VIP’s for the weekend at the 2011 4-Wheel Jamboree in Indianapolis, Indiana September 16th-18th. The sweepstakes will be promoted throughout the year from January 1, 2011 through August 19, 2011 on Stacey David’s GearZ syndicated on Speed channel, at the Monster Nationals Events, and the Lucas Oil/E3 Spark Plug Dyno Challenge events. Not only will the winner be a part of the crew for the racing portion of the show, but also get to meet Bob Chandler, inventor and owner of BIGFOOT, and Stacey David, producer & host of Stacey David’s GearZ and dine with them during lunch. The Grand Prize includes: round-trip airfare to and from Indianapolis, Indiana, two (2) day hotel accommodations, and transportation to & from the airport and the Jamboree.

One lucky winner will get a ride in the E3 Spark Plugs-sponsored BIGFOOT monster truck!

“We think the Monster Truck Series enthusiasts out there will be all over this idea,” said Steve Joiner, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for E3 Spark Plugs. “At some of these events there will be upwards of 80,000 fans in attendance, many of whom have been following the records of BIGFOOT all of their lives. To think they get to not only go for a ride in it, but also meet & dine with Bob Chandler who invented the whole concept is just a really big deal.”

“Then throw into the mix the chance to also meet automotive industry celebrity Stacey David, producer and host of Stacey David’s GearZ, we think these fans will just be beside themselves”, stated Joiner.

“We at E3 Spark Plugs teamed with BIGFOOT, who was literally responsible for creating the monster truck itself, because we strive to associate with other innovative companies like ourselves. We will personally be on hand to meet our lucky sweepstakes winner in September and help make their weekend at the event as awesome an experience as possible.” Said Todd Arey, President of E3 Spark Plugs.

Backed by a five year, 100,000-mile warranty, E3 Spark Plugs, with their side-wire electrode, projects the combustion spark in a way that more quickly ignites the air/fuel mixture thereby creating a significantly faster and larger flame kernel. In effect, this burns more of the available fuel, resulting in increased combustion efficiency for improved power and fuel economy with reduced emissions. They are now available for most automotive and motorsports applications at automotive retail stores nationwide. For more information and complete test results, visit www.e3sparkplugs.com.

For more information about Bob Chandler and Team BIGFOOT, visit bigfoot4x4.com.

Press Release by Martin & Company Advertising.

What do you get the gearhead who has everything? E3 Spark Plugs combed the internet and a few automotive magazines and TV shows to put together a list of the five three things we think the car/truck/motorcycle enthusiast on your holiday shopping list will love. Heck, you just might pick up an extra one of these for yourself, too. We wouldn’t blame you.

Cover of "20th Century Classic Cars: 100 Years of Automotive Ads" - a great gift for the car buff.

A copy of 20th Century Classic Cars – 100 Years of Automotive Ads: This hard-cover coffee table book features a look back at both the progress of car design and the art of advertising those cars over the past century.  Written and compiled by New York Times Automotive Writer Phil Patton and Taschen America Executive Editor Jim Heimann, the book is a brilliantly illustrated, 480-page timeline of the automobile and highlights technological innovations, major manufacturers and dealers, influential historical events and the influence of pop culture on car design. 20th Century Classic Cars is a great gift for any auto buff – $39.99 on the Taschen website and at most major book stores and online book dealers.

Gladiator Garageworks: Ditch that old recycled armoire and collection of tackle boxes your car lover is using to organize his tools. Whirlpool has created a system that turns that’ll make his garage look like a something out of a luxury home magazine. The Gladiator Garageworks system is totally customizable, with features like the $600 8-foot maple wood work bench, GearBoxes and GearDrawers drawers designed to fit specific tools, and a GearWall that lets you anchor cupboards above a bench and reconfigure their positions as needed (no need to drill new holes or search for studs). The system also includes appliances like a trash compactor and the Chillerator, a refrigerator/freezer designed to keep a consistent temperature despite extreme weather and humidity conditions – something that retired kitchen fridge just can’t handle.

A Skip Barber Racing School experience: He can’t keep it in a dresser drawer, but it’s something he’ll never forget. One, two and three-day racing programs at the Skip Barber Racing School are a car enthusiast’s dream. There’s even a SuperBike school for motorcycle lovers. If the speed demon on your holiday shopping list has ever dreamed of taking to the tracks, this gift will be a blast.  And it’ll make any car fanatic a safer, better driver. Gift certificates are 15% off if you buy before December 31.

Of course, there is one other thing we can think of that will rock a Christmas stocking – a set of E3 performance spark plugs. With DiamondFire technology that allows for better gas mileage and a cleaner, stronger burn, this is a gift that will keep on giving.

Happy holidays from E3 Spark Plugs!

Spark plugs, tire gauges, air filters all are weapons in the fight against rising gas prices. The national average cost for a gallon of unleaded self-serve gasoline was $2.98 as of Tuesday morning, and it already tops $3 in some states including California, New Jersey and Nevada. That’s the highest national average gas price since October 2008.

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!

E3 Spark Plugs make a great gift for the tree hugger on your Christmas list. In fact, EarthGarage.com has named E3 Spark Plugs among their Top 10 Green Automotive Gift Picks for 2010. A division of New York-based Green Automotive Alliance, LLC, EarthGarage.com is an online resource that offers mainstream consumers tips for making their automobiles greener by using current technology, products and services – all while saving money.

E3 Spark Plugs make a great gift for the eco-minded driver on your Christmas list.

Says EarthGarage.com: “E3 spark plugs’ advanced Diamond Fire design translates into increased power output, fuel economy and reduced emissions in gasoline engines.” They’re right. Tests show that E3 spark plugs increase combustion pressure in the engine, allowing for faster flame speed and directional flame front improvements that result in a stronger, cleaner burn. And E3 is the only spark plug recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a “supplemental emissions control device.”

“When we considered the hundreds of items that are currently on the market, the main criteria for being part of the EarthGarage Team Gift List was that the product would make a car greener, it would be widely available to the public and it ultimately would save the consumer money,” says Bob Leonard, CEO of Green Automotive Alliance and founder of EarthGarage.com. “These products offer simple but meaningful ways to make a difference while having a positive impact on the environment.”

Other eco-friendly automotive gift ideas on EarthGarage.com’s list include a range of items from eco-friendly wiper blades and floor mats, to a crankcase additive that reduces friction and wear, to electrical gadgets designed to help improve gas mileage, diagnose check engine light warnings, analyze and optimize driving behaviors and more.

E3 Spark Plugs sends a big “Thank You” to EarthGarage.com for recognizing our product as a great holiday gift for the environmentally conscious driver. Visit E3′s online catalog to find out which automotive or power sports spark plug is best for your ride.

With the 2010 GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs finals still a week away, 21-year-old Colton Haaker (Lucas Oil/Kawasaki) has clinched his second consecutive win for the E3 Spark Plugs EnduroCross Pro Junior Championship title. It’s a sweet victory after a tough season. Haaker racked up 65 points thus far in the series and currently holds 8th place in the overall pro class standings. That’s well shy of where he’d like to be, but given his young age and substantially less seat time than veteran competitors in the EnduroCross field, it ain’t bad.

Colton Haaker is the 2010 E3 Spark Plugs EnduroCross Pro Junior Champion.

“Hey, it’s cool to still be young and doing as well as I’ve been doing in EnduroCross,” Haaker said. “This year has for sure been harder and things haven’t gone as well as they have in the past.”

Haaker left the nest just over a year ago, leaving his family home for his own Murietta, CA digs, and feels that much of his trouble this year (He finished 4th in the standings last year) can be attributed to the transition. Indeed, it’s an exciting but tough time for any young man. But despite the challenges, Haaker’s passion, persistence and pure talent took him to the top spot as the GEICO EnduroCross circuit’s best young rider this year.

“I learned a lot more about the sport this year and really want to do well in Vegas to close out the season,” he says.

Rounding out the E3 Spark Plugs EnduroCross Pro Junior Championship (open to pro class riders ages 16 to 21) this year are 19-year-old Jacob Argubright from Northridge, CA in 2nd place and 18-year-old Keith Sweeten of Oregon City, OR in 3rd place. E3 Spark Plugs, maker of the patented DiamondFire engineered performance spark plugs, congratulates each of these young racers on a job well done and a promising future on the tracks.

Got your tickets yet? The GEICO AMA EnduroCross finals are set for November 20 at Las Vegas’ Orleans Arena. Doors open at 6 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30.

Ready to get pumped up? If you’re planning to attend the championship rounds of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Presented by E3 Spark Plugs, you’re in luck. It was just announced that longtime AMA MX Nationals announcer and ThorMX’s Thor TV host Rocket Rob Buydos has joined EnduroCross’ announcing team for the finals event November 20 at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena.

Longtime AMA MX Nationals announcer and Thor TV host "Rocket" Rob Buydos will announce the final rounds of the 2010 GEICO AMA EnduroCross Presented by E3 Spark Plugs. Image courtesy of EnduroCross.

A solid rider in his own right, Buydos is known for his high-energy announcing that gets fans in a frenzy and for his rapport with the racers on the tracks.

“I mean come on – Vegas is fantastic alone,” said Buydos in his typical fired-up persona. “Add to that sick talent, world class obstacles, true drama and the certain carnage THAT IS EnduroCross – and I love it!”

There’s no doubting Buydos’ passion for racing. Joining GEICO EnduroCross track announcer Laurette Nicoll, Buydos brings an exhaustive knowledge of motorcycle racing and an unsurpassed penchant for live event announcing.

“Buydos puts the Vegas GEICO EnduroCross finals over the edge,” says Mike Karsting VP of Events for Source Interlink Media. “We’re pumped to have him on board and look forward to what he brings to the table for our fans attending the live event at the Orleans on Nov. 20th.”

Hit up EnduroCross.com for your tickets to GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs finals. If you can’t make it to the tracks, catch event on Versus TV December 19 at 6pm Eastern and again December 23 at 5pm Eastern. And check the E3 Spark Plugs blog for a results wrap-up. Meanwhile, if you want to get your ride race-ready, pick up a set of E3 motorcycle spark plugs with E3′s patented DiamondFire technology for a stronger, cleaner ride.

E3 Spark Plugs racing fans attending Oktoberfest will get a real treat tonight as the Project G.R.E.E.N. racecar – touted as the world’s first environmentally responsible oval track race car – makes its track debut at Oktoberfest Racing Weekend.  G.R.E.E.N. is an acronym for Green Racing Experimental Engine Narrative and it’s a project of Circle Track Magazine, Argonne National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy. Their goal: “To bring creativity back to short track racing,” Circle Track Editor Rob Fisher says.  “In the past racing was a proving ground for OEMs to test new parts and products that would eventually end up on passenger cars.  Lately, racing has become a quest for the level playing field which has hurt the racer’s creativity and created a chasm between what comes out of Detroit and what we use to power our cars.”

Racing fans first read about Project G.R.E.E.N. in the April 2010 issue of Circle Track and have followed its progress since. Project leaders and partners, including E3 Spark Plugs focused their efforts on jettisoning conventional thinking about what makes a great oval racetrack car and proving that fuel injection coupled with alternative fuels could make for a strong competitor on the oval track. Thus far, they’ve reported a significant increase in torque over 85% of the time the engine operates on track testing. And the Project G.R.E.E.N. Camaro’s GM Performance Parts CT525 engine is a bargain at well under $10,000. Researchers also have been testing the car with E-85 fuel, a domestically produced fuel that averages 60% less expensive and is easier on parts than racing methanol.

Tonight, the Project G.R.E.E.N. Camaro will undergo its first major test under race conditions in the 41st Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend’s Dick Trickle “99″ piloted by Dalton Zehr and carrying a data acquisition system created by Argonne National Laboratory. The system will collect real time data to evaluate how the car performs under race conditions and to characterize the petroleum displacement and greenhouse gas reduction potential (Note that the car’s performance won’t be officially scored or listed in the results). Tonight’s race takes place at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI.

Joining E3 Spark Plugs in supporting the development of Project G.R.E.E.N. are Sensors Inc., American Speed Association, GM Performance Parts, Mast Motorsports, AR Bodies, VP Race Fuel, Holley, Schoenfeld Headers, Hoosier Racing Tires, Coleman Racing Products, Jones Racing Products, AMSOIL, Comp Cams, Quartermaster, Speedway Motors, ATL Fuel Cells, Quick Fuel Technology, Random Technology, and Phillips Racing Wires. E3 Spark Plugs’ patented DiamondFire technology makes them a natural choice to partner with Project G.R.E.E.N. In fact, E3 is the only spark plug to be deemed a “supplemental emissions control device” by the EPA. But you don’t have to be a race car driver to take advantage. Install E3 performance spark plugs in your vehicle for cleaner, stronger drive.

(Video by Chicago’s WLS-TV ABC-7.)