Niterra, owner of the brands NGK and NTK, List 6 factors that classify the use of the vehicle as severe

The company also highlights the main impacts caused on the performance of the ignition system, such as difficulty starting the engine

 ;

São Paulo, December 2023 – A Niterra, Japanese multinational owner of the NGK and NTK brands and specialized in components for ignition systems and automotive sensors, highlights six determining factors for classifying the use of a vehicle as severe - criteria established by automakers to identify the most critical operating conditions:

1. Use in heavy traffic;

1. Professional use, such as taxis, Ambulances, Public Service Vehicles (police, fire brigade, Municipal and state services) and application services;

1. Use on poorly paved or dusty country roads;

1. Use with significant load or towing;

1. Lack of regular use;

1. Use on short journeys, preventing the engine from reaching the optimal operating temperature.

Impacts on the ignition system

Consisting of coils, Cables & Spark Plugs, the ignition system plays a key role in the operation of Otto cycle engines, ensuring the correct burning of the air/fuel mixture. Designed to operate on a variety of fuels, These engines, Be flex, Gasoline, ethanol or gas, depend directly on the correct actuation of the ignition system. Intensive use of the vehicle can accelerate the wear and tear of the system, affecting their performance and resulting in difficulties in starting these engines.

"In heavy traffic, The engine operates continuously, even without adding too many miles. This constant idling runs wears out the spark plugs. Although this wear and tear is small, If the condition is maintained for a long time, it will impact the durability of these components.", explains Hiromori Mori, Technical Assistance Consultant at Niterra do Brasil.

"Another factor is the accumulation of residue at the tip of the spark plug that impacts its performance, increasing the voltage required for the spark and putting more stress on the ignition coils. System failures increase fuel consumption and result in harmful gas emissions, impacting the environment and drivers' budgets", adds Mori.

To preserve the ignition system, Those facing harsh conditions of use should follow the specific maintenance table for this context. In many cases, Automakers recommend halving the regular maintenance plan.

 ;

Replacement of damaged components

In situations where the ignition system already has problems due to severe use of the vehicle, The driver should be aware of signs such as increased fuel consumption, Injection light on, Cold Start Difficulty, Acceleration failures, loss of performance and irregular idling.

"At the time of replacement of compromised parts, The use of spark plugs that are inappropriate for the vehicle should be avoided", Mori explains. "It is always preferable to opt for the specific product to ensure proper performance. Opting for a spark plug with the wrong thermal grade can cause significant damage to the vehicle."

Niterra supplies the aftermarket with a wide variety of high-tech and durable NGK brand spark plugs manufactured from noble metals, such as the G-Power series (Platinum) e Iridium IX (Iridium), that are an option to modernize and improve system performance.

NGK also offers the conventional nickel spark plug lines, Platinum Laser & Iridium Laser, aimed at vehicles that use this type of spark plug as original equipment. "Extended maintenance intervals for the Laser Platinum and Laser Iridium spark plugs must follow the severe use maintenance plan, ensuring that the car user's day-to-day life is not affected and providing a more efficient and reliable experience", concludes Mori.