With Gas at $3 a Gallon, Improve Your Vehicle's Fuel Efficiency with 'Fresh' 'Premium' Spark Plugs, Says Bosch

BROADVIEW, Ill.--May 3, 2006--If gasoline at $3 a gallon has you eagerly searching for ways to improve your vehicle's fuel economy install fresh, premium spark plugs, according to a leading automotive supplier, Robert Bosch Corporation.

Why 'fresh?' And why 'premium?'

The spark plug ignites the air/fuel mixture to produce the combustion that powers the engine. As such, it plays an important role in promoting fuel economy, clean, efficient combustion and reliable performance of your car's engine.

However, "every time the spark jumps from the spark plug's center electrode to the ground electrode, a tiny bit of metal is lost," says Matt Hallis, technical support manager with Bosch. Over thousands of miles, this gradually weakens the spark and reduces performance and engine efficiency without the motorist even noticing it, according to Hallis. "To maintain optimum efficiency, a vehicle needs 'fresh' spark plugs at intervals recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer, and often sooner," he said.

Premium spark plugs with precious metals such as platinum in the center and multiple electrodes can also increase fuel economy by four to five percent in many vehicles. "Bosch's Platinum +4 premium spark plugs have a pure platinum center electrode and four nickel-ytrium ground electrodes," Bosch's Hallis explained, "and fire radially - rather than axially like conventional plugs - producing greater combustion efficiency."

The precious metals and the multiple ground electrodes resist the erosion of metal when the plug fires, preventing gradual weakening of the spark as in conventional plugs. Installing premium spark plugs means the fuel economy and performance benefits you get with new plugs will last for tens of thousands of miles, Hallis said.

A well-tuned car is the best defense for the average motorist at the pump. So, if your car has 50,000 miles on its last set of spark plugs, a fresh set of premium spark plugs offers a greater-than-ever potential for savings.

You've probably already heard about keeping your tires inflated to recommended pressure, "bundling" errands in fewer trips, switching off the A/C or driving within highway speed limits to save on gas. Try "fresh" "premium" spark plugs for good measure. (www.boschusa.com).