[CruzeDFB]

So I just was surfing the spark plug thread and saw a lot of great information on there regarding the 2011-12 models. I was wondering if I should gap my 2013 plugs to .035?

Also are there any other tips for 2013 models? I pick my car up this Tue, I want great MPG right away.



Car Specs:
2013 Cruze LTZ - Black Granit Metallic
RS Package
Premium Sound
Sunroof

 

[jdubb11]

So I just was surfing the spark plug thread and saw a lot of great information on there regarding the 2011-12 models. I was wondering if I should gap my 2013 plugs to .035?

Also are there any other tips for 2013 models? I pick my car up this Tue, I want great MPG right away.



Car Specs:
2013 Cruze LTZ - Black Granit Metallic
RS Package
Premium Sound
Sunroof

doubtfull that you'll get "great" milage right away as the car needs to break in. it took a couple thousand miles for my mpg's to get where i thought they would be. also we are still on winter blend gas and between that and some warm up time here in mn my mileage has tanked. i would pull your pluggs and at least make sure they are all the same gaps since so many were not in the past. mine are at .036 and the car runs great. also pulled the intake resonator out which helped with throttle response

 

[jblackburn]

MPG? Probably not anything significant, but it will definitely help the powerband.

Mine started with plugs all around .020", and the car fell flat on its face trying to take off from a stop before the turbo spooled up - it seriously felt like it just was going to stall.

 

[giantsnation]

Doesn't hurt to take a look! From my research most the 2013s have been properly set from the factory at .028 across the board. HOWEVER, as you have noticed increasing that gap can help MPG. I wouldn't set it as high at .035 - try .032.

 

[Vetterin]

I just replaced my plugs yesterday with Autolite Iridium XPs and gapped them to the middle of the road @ .033.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

Doesn't hurt to take a look! From my research most the 2013s have been properly set from the factory at .028 across the board. HOWEVER, as you have noticed increasing that gap can help MPG. I wouldn't set it as high at .035 - try .032.

Are you sure they're set to 0.028" across the board? Our most common recorded range for 2012 was 0.025".

 

[giantsnation]

I'd have to go back through my note but yes, on my 2013 they were set at .028 across the board. I have found that several others have noticed the same with the 2013s.

 

[Starks8]

Doesn't hurt to take a look! From my research most the 2013s have been properly set from the factory at .028 across the board. HOWEVER, as you have noticed increasing that gap can help MPG. I wouldn't set it as high at .035 - try .032.

Why wouldn't you set them as high as .035? I thought that gapping was okay?

 

[jblackburn]

Why wouldn't you set them as high as .035? I thought that gapping was okay?

More chance that the pressure from the turbo will blow them out (I can say that it definitely does not happen on a stock tune; it may on a Trifecta tune), and it may stress the ignition coil just a bit more. Probably nothing at all significant.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

More chance that the pressure from the turbo will blow them out (I can say that it definitely does not happen on a stock tune; it may on a Trifecta tune), and it may stress the ignition coil just a bit more. Probably nothing at all significant.

I can personally report that the spark won't blow out at 0.038" with the stock tune. I only started having issues at 0.040".

With the Trifecta tune, spark blowout begins to occur at 0.029". I would recommend 0.025-0.027" for Trifecta tune cars.

Hope that helps.

 

[giantsnation]

Xtreme is correct here. I was only suggesting .032 because its a good mix of higher MPGs versus performance. Correct if I'm wrong, but as you gap further, don't you lose performance?

In addition, you might want to try out .032 just to see how your cruze does. It is fine, then step up to .035.

 

[LS1LOL]

I can personally report that the spark won't blow out at 0.038" with the stock tune. I only started having issues at 0.040".

With the Trifecta tune, spark blowout begins to occur at 0.029". I would recommend 0.025-0.027" for Trifecta tune cars.

Hope that helps.

Interesting. I opened my gap up to 0.035" across the board and it does seem like there are some slight hesitations sometimes. Have not scanned it for misfires yet, but I just got my first full tank of 89 in it (I know that won't change spark blowout, but I figured I would scan it once), so I will see.

Xtreme is correct here. I was only suggesting .032 because its a good mix of higher MPGs versus performance. Correct if I'm wrong, but as you gap further, don't you lose performance?

In addition, you might want to try out .032 just to see how your cruze does. It is fine, then step up to .035.

No, the largest spark plug gap you can run before blowout will give you the best performance possible. Think of the spark plug as a lighter, and the larger the gap the larger the flame on the lighter. You will get a more complete burn with a larger spark plug gap. I have played with spark plug gap on a few different motors (Supercharged 3800 and LS1) and I personally saw a 2 MPH gain on my Monte Carlo (S/C 3800) from opening my plug gap up from 0.035" to 0.055" (did back to back runs with that as the only difference). That specific setup was running 9PSI boost from an Eaton M90 blower.

 

[jblackburn]

Interesting. I opened my gap up to 0.035" across the board and it does seem like there are some slight hesitations sometimes. Have not scanned it for misfires yet, but I just got my first full tank of 89 in it (I know that won't change spark blowout, but I figured I would scan it once), so I will see.

Tuned or no?

If not, check out this thread (not sure if it applies to the 2013 or not though):

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/34-1-4l-turbo/11228-hesitating-93-octane-4.html

 

[Erastimus]

What the heck is spark blowout?

 

[jblackburn]

What the heck is spark blowout?

Think of a candle in the wind.

Or the Elton John song, if you like.

Too big a gap, it blows out and your car "stutters".


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[Sunline Fan]

Too big a gap, it blows out and your car "stutters".

As do I sir, as do I:

https://www.facebook.com/MindTheGap1.0

 

[Patman]

Why wouldn't you set them as high as .035? I thought that gapping was okay?

I just set my 2012 at .032 across the board. The jury is still out. Might have felt like I lost some power!. but I am still at @32MPG in the city in my ECO. little if any Hwy driving yet with 91 octane. If I did some Hwy driving it was @100+ MPH(didn't feel like it compared to my LS) for a little then @80 MPH the rest of the way.

 

[LS1LOL]

Tuned or no?

If not, check out this thread (not sure if it applies to the 2013 or not though):

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/34-1-4l-turbo/11228-hesitating-93-octane-4.html

Stock tune, and plan on keeping it like that for a while. Probably will only do a K&N intake.

 

[CruzeDFB]

So should I buy new plugs? I didn't think I you could gap iridium plugs.

 

[jblackburn]

Nah, they can be gapped just like a regular plug. Just don't touch the center tip of the plug.

I grabbed it with pliers to bend it outwards...slowly, a bit at a time, then measure. If you over-gap it, just apply slow and even pressure against the prong to bend it back in.