Loading...
Sparky, my lovely boxer, is my best friend, co-pilot and garage guardian. He's not too good with a wrench, but he'll catch just about anything I toss his way. He’s a little protective of me, but a belly scratch makes him melt.
CODE: TCPES
I’m what you would call a thrill seeker, but nothing makes my stomach drop like the first time I pull the cord on my lawnmower. Will the engine come alive or is it going to sputter?
I have a lot on my plate, and I’m sure you do too. That’s why there’s no time to waste on inconsistent ignition or switching out inferior spark plugs. With the right plugs and a little bit of prep work, you should be able to get through a whole season of outdoor work.
Assuming you properly ran your mower out of gas at the end of last season, and that you’ve gone ahead and changed your oil, you’re well on your way to taming your lawn. With that bit of maintenance out of the way, you should take a look at your current spark plug and the ignition wire.
To properly check your spark plug, disconnect the ignition wire and clean the area around the plug so you don’t contaminate the combustion chamber. Use a proper socket to remove the spark plug. Look for deposits, any cracks in the insulator or damaged electrodes. Those last two are very clear signs that your plug has seen its last days.
You can try cleaning a plug with a wire brush, checking its gap and re-installing it, but the best way to make sure your mower is ready for the season is to pick up a new plug. Just remember anytime you install a new plug, make sure to follow the gapping and torquing specs as recommended in your mower’s manual.
Autolite® Iridium Xtreme Start™ Spark Plugs can get you through a full season of mowing without having to be changed. That’s because finewire electrodes with iridium help resist effects of fouling, which means longer life and increased performance.
CODE: KGAGA
Copper is old reliable in the world of spark plugs, and it continues to deliver dependable performance in all conditions. This doesn’t mean spark plug manufacturers threw up their hands and said, “That ought to do it!” Instead, they kept pushing the limits of performance.
Spark plug scientists emerged from their lab (at least that’s how I picture it) with a new discovery. Iridium finewire spark plugs offer a new level of durability and ignitability, and that goes for vehicles and outdoor equipment.
For my yard work warriors, making the upgrade to iridium plugs is a pretty sweet deal. With iridium in your small engine, you could experience:
Spending less time, money and sweat sounds good, right?
Autolite® Iridium Xtreme Start™ is the brand name of my favorite outdoor equipment plug, and many of your favorite neighborhood retailers keep it in stock. If you haven’t made the upgrade or you’ve been falling behind on outdoor equipment maintenance, get to a store near you today!
CODE: RLTEY
Yard work is dirty work. There’s no way around it. So, the small engines in your chainsaws, blowers, trimmers and edgers have to perform under dirty, demanding conditions. Ignition maintenance is a big part of this equation.
Because of the naturally dirty conditions of yard work, fouling is always a threat. A good way to stay ahead of the game is to replace your plugs at the beginning of each season. New plugs keep your engines running better and working longer.
Staying ahead of fouling is about more than changing out your plugs, though. You should make sure to follow common sense maintenance tips, including:
On the other hand, if you get lazy, the end result could be frequently swapping out fouled plugs. Working outside is hard enough without adding the hurdle of failing ignition.
Small engines have a reputation for fouling spark plugs. That’s especially true for spark plugs that aren’t made with iridium-enhanced finewire electrodes. If you’re looking for a little extra peace of mind, I recommend you check out an iridium small engine plug, like Autolite® Iridium Xtreme Start™.
CODE: CGSPB
It takes more than a mower to keep your lawn looking beautiful. And no, I don’t just mean using a trimmer to get the edges. You’ve got to show that bed of grass some TLC unless you want your neighbors to gossip about you.
Here are some simple suggestions to keep your lawn in great shape this year.
Feed your lawn at least in the spring and fall for greener, fuller grass and better weed management.
Aeration helps to clear thatch and lets your lawn breathe. I’m not trying to get all new age on you. Your grass actually needs oxygen.
Water once a week and make sure you water deep. A little sprinkle feeds those weeds more than your grass.
Giving your lawn a buzz cut doesn’t extend the time between mows that much. Plus, going too short gives weeds more time in the sun.
If you’re looking to seed or lay sod, you have to pick grass that will work with your local weather. Warm-season grass is usually reserved for my friends way down South. Cool-season grass is often the best choice for those in Northern or transitional climates since temps can experience serious drops.
Depending on the type of grass, the best time to seed could be spring, summer or early fall.
Of course, you have your own tried and true wisdom, but these are the tips that get me through every season of yard work.
Getting the mower to start when you pull the cord is easier said than done sometimes. I have three crucial steps to help you keep your mower, and your lawn, happy.
Old gas can hurt performance and potentially foul your spark plug. You should run your mower out of gas at the end of each season, and change your oil at the beginning of the next season. Some newer engines don’t require oil changes, but it’s a good idea to top off with fresh oil before your first mow.
A blocked carburetor will block you from doing your yard work. That’s nothing a little internal engine cleaner can’t fix though.
Your plug may only need some cleaning, but it’s best to put a new plug in to get your season started. Cracks in the insulator or damaged electrodes are a not-so-subtle hint that it’s time for a new plug.
CODE: FFGCH
Autolite® Iridium Xtreme Start™ Spark Plugs are here to get you through a full season of mowing, trimming and sawing without having to be changed. Follow the gapping and torquing specs as recommended in your equipment’s various manuals.
Select a question on the left to get started!
Real sledders know that snowmobile season starts before the first flakes fall. The garage, shed or wherever you store your machine is where you determine whether the season will be a success.
That’s right! It’s maintenance time baby! Grab your wrench and a spark plug socket and get to work.
Now a quick message from my friends at Autolite®: We highly recommend that you consult your snowmobile’s manual for any specific instructions for changing the spark plugs or removing and re-attaching components. Engines and snowmobile designs can vary widely by make and model.
Now that I’ve told you a bit about how to get your ignition ready for the winter, here’s a tip on how to drive even better performance. Choose Autolite® Iridium Xtreme Sport™ for higher horsepower, better fuel efficiency and lower emissions than standard plugs.
If you rip, shred or tear it up on a snowmobile, there’s a set of plugs that make your winter fun possible. Seasoned vets get their tune-ups in before the first snowfall, and part of this maintenance process is making sure the ignition system is in working order. After all, sledding season can’t start if the sled won’t turn over.
Spark plugs have been around for a long time, but that doesn’t mean you should go for the same old plugs. Copper plugs are dependable, sure – iridium finewire plugs are just better. It isn’t just a shiny new thing either. Well, I guess iridium is kind of shiny, but you know what I mean!
Autolite® Iridium Xtreme Sport™, designed with iridium-enhanced 0.6mm finewire design, packs a lot of punch. Made for motorcycles, boats and of course your beloved snowmobile, this plug can deliver these improvements compared to standard copper plugs:
Oh, and before I forget, iridium plugs make ripping through the snow 100% more fun. Don’t fact check that.
Before your snowmobile comes out of storage, pick up some iridium spark plugs at a store near you.
They may not make maintenance any easier, but they’ll help make sure you don’t have to check your ignition more than once a season.
The temperatures are dipping, and you don’t want to get stuck with the shovel. So, what do you do if there’s no spark coming from your plug?
A fouled plug is usually the culprit. See if cleaning and checking the gap helps. Then instead of pulling on the cord, try a spark plug test tool. Remove the plug, clean with a wire brush and check the gap. Next, fit the plug into the test tool, grounding the test tool on bare metal. When you go to pull the cord, keep your eye on the test tool window to see if there’s a successful spark. No spark could indicate that you have a faulty coil or that it’s time to retire the plug.
Replace the plug, making sure to follower owner’s manual instructions on gapping and torque.
And only a fool would forget to use a wire loop gauge for gapping. If you’re not up to speed on why wire loop is the only way to go, other tools can cause damage and sideline your spark plug before it’s even installed.
Snow blower still not coming to life? It may be time to replace the coil. The manufacturer of your snow blower can point you in the right direction there.
Keeping up with winter’s big blizzards is no easy task. A reliable iridium spark plug can take a little stress off your shoulders. The same plug you trust to fire up your mower, Autolite® Iridium Xtreme Start™, can have your snow blower ready to go. Plus, you get to enjoy better fuel efficiency and faster starts all winter long, saving you time and money.
A responsible snowmobile rider does more than just follow common sense safety guidelines. This titan of the trail also keeps up with the needs of the machine from season to season.
Here are my tips to keep your sled maintained and ready to rip.
You should have drained your fuel and oil at the end of last season. When you go to top them off before your first ride, you’ll want to also check and potentially change your fuel and oil filters. Engine performance and fuel efficiency depend on regular filter replacement.
Tracks are built to last for multiple seasons, but it’s a good idea to look for cracked rubber. That could cut your fun short, and if you find cracks, it’s possible your snowmobile saw too much sun in storage. As for your skis, flattened carbides or misalignment can spell danger. Replace or repair depending on the condition.
You love thrills, but there’s no reason to make a ride bumpier than it needs to be. Give your snowmobile a few bounces and see how the shocks are holding up.
Iridium has changed the game for powersports ignition. Grab Autolite® Iridium Xtreme Sport™ at your local auto parts or powersports store for higher horsepower, better fuel efficiency and lower emissions than standard plugs.
That first snow can come as a surprise. When I was a kid, that meant snowball fights with the neighbors, but as an adult, it means I’ve got work to do.
Clearing your driveway and sidewalk is made a lot easier by a snow blower, assuming yours is in working shape. Here are a few things you can do before winter to get your snow blower ready to go.
Drain any oil left in your blower and replace it with new oil per your manual. Adding oil can unintentionally damage components if you don’t do it correctly. Get any old gas out of your machine as well, and fill up with fresh fuel topped off with stabilizer. This will help you avoid fouled plugs and disappointing performance.
Sitting in your garage isn’t great for a snow blower’s tire pressure, so you’ll need to get your gauge out and make sure your PSI is up to the manufacturer’s specs.
These components are the key to your snow blower actually working. If they’re starting to show serious wear or damage, you’ll need to replace them before they cause your equipment (or let’s be honest – you) to break down in the middle of clearing the driveway.
You can’t finish a job if you can’t start. Neither can your snow blower. Iridium plugs can make ignition troubles disappear for a whole season. The same plug you trust for your mower, Autolite Iridium Xtreme Start™, can give your snow blower faster starts and better fuel efficiency.
Select a question on the left to get started!