E3 Spark Plugs News

It was three decades ago that the iconic monster truck Grave Digger came to life on the banks of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina and E3 Spark Plugs is joining fans worldwide in celebrating its 30th anniversary year. Debuting in 1982, the original Grave Digger was a red 1952 Ford pickup truck tricked out as a mud bogger by owner Dennis Anderson. And while his friends were none too impressed initially, they’d soon eat their words.

It was a bit of amicable trash talking with fellow racers that landed Grave Digger its name.

“I’ll take this old junk and dig your grave with it,” Anderson told his heckling competitors who drove newer, sleeker trucks. Where those guys and their trucks are today, nobody knows. But Grave Digger went on to become one of the most enduring and celebrated of all the Monster Truck personalities, growing to string of some 25 race and display trucks.

The Grave Digger is immediately recognizable with its ominous paint scheme featuring green flames, blood-dripping letters, a foggy graveyard scene with tombstones bearing names of competitors, a haunted house silhouetted by a full moon and a giant skull-shaped ghost. A fan favorite is the set of red headlights that glow menacingly when the truck is in competition. A lucky happenstance, those headlights were. Anderson began using them when he was building a transporter out of a school bus and realized that the red stop lights fit perfectly in Grave Digger’s headlights.

In celebration of its 30 years in the mud ring, the 2012 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam season will tour three new Grave Digger monster truck designs and has released a full line of exclusive limited edition “Grave Digger 30th Anniversary” merchandise including a retrospective DVD. Monster Jam fans can get up close to the newly designed Grave Digger versions as part of the Monster Jam pre-show Party in the Pits.

Got any favorite Grave Digger memories over the years? E3 Spark Plugs wants to hear your stories and see your pics. Post them on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page. And remember to power your own would-be monster truck with E3 truck spark plugs for a stronger, cleaner burn.

Assuming the cataclysmic theories about Earth being sucked into a black hole, colliding with another planet or otherwise disintegrating on December 21 aren’t true, 2012 looks to be a promising year. The economy is starting (though ever so slowly) to mend, Jon Bon Jovi is still alive and, if the Toyota Fun-Vii ever comes to market, you’ll one day be driving around with a hologram hottie perched upon your dash board. Something to look forward to, indeed.

In the meantime, no doubt you’re busy building your list of New Year’s resolutions. E3 Spark Plugs offers a few suggestions to help keep you and your ride healthy, happy and on the road.

1. Resolve to keep your car in great shape with DIY checks and fixes including keeping your tires well inflated, changing or topping off your car’s fluids regularly, and ditching those worn-out windshield wiper blades BEFORE they start etching rainbow-shaped grooves into your glass.
2. Resolve to have the pros check out your car from fender-to-bumper twice a year including the brakes and the charging and electrical systems.
3. Resolve to get those new knocks, pings and groans checked out STAT so minor problems don’t turn into major repair bills.
4. Resolve to dig that auto owner’s manual out of the depths of your glove compartment and use it – especially when it comes to keeping track of and following through with recommended scheduled maintenance.
5. Resolve to keep your car and the air around it clean. All that sand from your last trip to the beach is wearing on your car’s upholstery, interior and paint job. And unless you’re using E3 car or truck spark plugs you’re likely mucking up your environment. E3′s patented technology is designed for a cleaner, stronger and more fuel-efficient burn.

From all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs – have a happy, prosperous and safe 2012!

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!

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.

Rounds 13 and 14 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series presented by GEICO and sponsored in part by E3 Spark Plugs proved a beautiful but bittersweet time for racers and fans. We celebrated as one favorite competitor locked down the season’s first championship title and said a formal good-bye to two others.

Saturday’s round was the first since the death of 2010 Pro 4 Champion Rick Huseman, his brother Jeff and friend Dan Hicks, all killed in a plane crash near Barstow, CA last month. Tributes to the Huseman brothers could be seen everywhere. Pro 2 competitor Robby Woods’ truck featured a special green paint scheme with Rick Huseman’s name and number. Junior 2 Kart racer Shelby Anderson had her kart painted with the livery that Huseman ran and invited other racers to pen a special message on it. In fact, most ever vehicle and driver suit bore some sort of tribute to the Huseman brothers. Most touching, however, was the final lap of Rick Huseman’s No. 36 Toyota driven by brother Kevin Huseman. The number is now permanently retired from Pro 4.

After the opening ceremonies, racers were ready to put on a show worthy of their friends’ memory. And they did just that – especially in the Pro 4. Carl Renezeder; the three LeDucs, dad Curt and brothers Kyle and Todd; and Greg Adler spent much of the race neck-and-neck with each other – each leading the field at one point or another. The race proved quite the barnburner with two full-course cautions to clear Josh Merrell’s and Curt LeDuc’s trucks from the tracks.

When the mud stopped flying, it was Renezeder out front for his 98th off-road victory with enough series points to clinch this season’s Pro 4 championship title. Rounding out the top five were the brothers LeDuc, Kyle and Todd taking second and third place respectively, Adler finishing fourth and Kent Brascho finishing fifth.

E3 Spark Plugs racing fans and staff congratulate Renezeder and all the other winners. For full results visit the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series website.

 

You know that sinking-in-your-stomach feeling when you first hear that weird clinking, popping or screeching sound emanating from somewhere in your vehicle while cruising down the highway? Yeah – we hate that feeling too. Some of those noises simply serve as maintenance reminders. Others are signs something is seriously wrong. Don’t cover your ears in denial. Find out what your car is trying to tell you fast, before the damage and the costs rack up.

E3 Spark Plugs shares a few tips on deciphering just what that weird noise might be:

• Squealing brakes: This may just mean there is dirt on the brake rotors, drums pads or shoes. But it also can be a red flag that some component of your brakes is worn or defective.
• Scraping rear brakes: Your brake shoes may be worn.
• Clunking brakes: Could be as simple as the disc brake caliper being improperly mounted, but also could be an indication of damaged brake hardware or worn steering system components.
• Hissing engine: Quick! Check your temperature gauge. Your engine may be overheating. If so, pull over immediately and call a tow truck. That hissing may also mean you’ve got a leak in your coolant or air/vacuum hoses.
• Popping engine: A popping noise coming from your engine can be caused by a myriad of problems including a dirty air filter, clogged fuel filter, dirty or worn spark plugs, damaged spark plug wires, water in your gasoline or ignition trouble.
• Popping from the exhaust: Your fuel injectors may be leaking or you might have a leak in your exhaust.
• Ticking engine: Your valves may be stuck or simply need a little adjusting. But it also could be an indication that your engine oil level or pressure is low or that engine sludge is keeping the oil from circulating properly.
• Squealing engine: If you hear a squeal while you’re accelerating, chances are you’ve got a loose belt or your engine’s drive pulleys are misaligned.
• Screeching steering: Can your neighbor hear you coming from six blocks away when you turn the corner? That screech likely means that your power steering belt is slipping; your steering linkage is damaged, loose or dry; or that your suspension pieces are worn.
• Clicking wheels: Check for a loose hubcap or a small object (such as a pebble) lodged in your hubcap or tire tread.

Whatever noise you’re hearing, E3 Spark Plugs highly recommends getting it checked out as early as possible. Some of these noises are indications of minor troubles that can be inexpensive to fix early on, but ultimately very costly if ignored.

 

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.

Over the weekend, E3 spark plugs driver Rick Huseman dominated Rounds 9 & 10 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at the famed Glen Helen Raceway short track in San Bernardino, CA. With long-time E3 driver, Kevin Probst, retiring from the series in 2010, E3 teamed this season with Monster Energy to sponsor the #36 Toyota of Huseman. The 14-year veteran of off-road racing responded with four straight wins to grab an early lead in the 2011 points series. Rick had dominated the 2010 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Pro-4 Championship with 10 wins in 15 rounds of racing.

After a poor performance in Rounds 7 & 8, the E3 Spark Plugs /Monster Engery team again proved that they have the truck to beat in the LOORRS’ Pro-4 Championship. Huseman, who began off road racing in the southern California desert with his brothers Danny and Kevin, posted a double win at Glen Helen event. In Saturday’s main event, Houseman finished 2.4 seconds ahead of long-time rival Carl Renezeder in the #17 Lucas Oil truck and the #11 of Adrian Cenni. Under the lights in Round 10, Huseman battled the #99 of Kyle Leduc to a 1.4 second win as the pair led Renezeder to checkers.

With back to back wins at Glen Helen, Houseman now stands nine points off the LOORRS Championship points lead for 2011. The E3 Spark Plugs race team will be busy preparing for Rounds 11 & 12 at Speed World Off Road Park in Surprise, Arizona, on September 24th and 25th.