These days, automakers and drivers alike are looking for innovative ways to save fuel. If you drive a Ford, spark plugs by E3 Spark Plugs and a host of planned changes could make the future F-150 models among the most fuel efficient trucks on the road, officials say. 2011 Ford Harley Davidson F-150. The next generation of F-Series trucks may feature magnesium and aluminum in place of steel to lighten up on weight and fuel consumption. Tough new federal regulations designed to boost fuel economy in vehicles nationwide mandate that light trucks and SUVs must operate at 30mpg by 2016. Ford designers and engineers are working to meet or beat that deadline with an F-150 that’s just as strong as today’s models. They’re focusing on the F-150 because of its staggering...

Hey, E3 Spark Plugs racing fans – Lookout for Mitchum Motorsports‘ new Chevrolet Camaro. After a great 2010 season and a successful test at The Roar Before the 24 in Daytona, the team decided it was time to add a second GS class Camaro to its Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge program for the 2011 season. Mitchum Motorsports' #6.2 Chevrolet Camaro. Photo by Above the Fold Communications, courtesty of Mitchum Motorsports. “We have come a long way in the 12 months since we returned to GRAND-AM competition just prior to the Homestead race last year,” says team principal Chris Mitchum. “The addition of the second Camaro speaks volumes to the team’s commitment and level of effort everyone has shown. We developed the Camaro last year and it is now...

Surfing the web recently, we came across something that really hit home with all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs. Honda’s “The Power of Dreams” documentary series celebrates those who found the courage to follow their dreams, even at steep costs, and to turn failures into successes. The series of short films, available online, features an array of individuals including automotive and robotics engineers, racers, athletes, feature filmmakers, astronauts, aquanauts and others. Many of their successes positively impact not just the lives of those featured in the series, but lives of tens of thousands of people nationwide, even worldwide. Featured in the series are several famous names including Indy car racer Danica Patrick, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and Robert Orci and...

Kevin and Sammy Swindell, pictured on the podium at the 2010 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, have racked up a combined seven Chili Bowl titles. Photo by STLRacing.com. Kevin Swindell made history at the 2011 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals by winning his second consecutive title – but he had to beat his own dad to do it. Kevin’s repeat win came only after holding off a final-lap charge from his father and five-time Chili Bowl champion Sammy. When the dust settled on the 50-lap main event, the two Swindells were joined by New Zealander Michael Pickens, who overcame trouble early in the event to make a hard-charging comeback; Oklahoman Jonathan Beason; and Bryan Clauson, who led the race’s first 12 laps. Kevin’s victory marks the seventh time in the Chili...

  If you live in a state that requires annual or biannual smog and emissions tests on your vehicle, E3 Spark Plugs has your automotive cheat sheet. Failing or dodging your mandated emissions test can result in your being denied registration of your vehicle and rack up legal infractions and fines. But a few simple steps can help assure your ride passes with flying colors. A few simple steps, including installing a new set of E3 spark plugs, can help assure your vehicle passes emissions testing. Get an oil & filter change: Dirty oil results in dirty emissions. Be sure to get your oil changed in the days just before you vehicle undergoes testing. Don’t forget to change the oil and air filters while you’re at it. If your fuel filter is five years old or older, it...

  $36,500 Renault F1 chess set Here at E3 Spark Plugs, we’re about energy, ecology and efficiency in your drive, whether it’s the family sedan, your weekend muddin’ truck or the sleek, strong racecar you’re hoping will win big at the tracks. But we’re always amazed at those who see a simple spark plug as a thing of artistic value. And this time, we’ve found some of the coolest spark plug art we’ve seen. Chess, anyone? Artist Armando Ramirez has designed two chess sets that will make any auto buff proud to own. Each of the boards and game pieces are made using scrap metal including leftover metal pieces from a die machine; cogs, bearings and Bendix caps from auto electrical systems; screws; and, of course, spark plugs. The first, titled...

E3 spark Plugs offers tips to winterize your boat so you can hit the water hard come springtime. If you’re a hard-core duck hunter, you can skip this E3 Spark Plugs blog post seeing how you’re probably in your boat with a site line on a feathered target right now. Otherwise, your boat is likely out of the water and out of mind. Come springtime, you might wish we weren’t right about that “out of mind” part. Lucky for you, we’ve got some great tips for winterizing your boat and motor so you can hit the water hard first thing this spring. If you’ve used your boat in the salt water, flush out your engine with fresh water. Salt water and salt deposits can block strainers and pipes, and can cause corrosion and rust inside your engine. A thorough...

We’ve all heard that simple measures like changing your spark plugs and filters and keeping your tires inflated can help save fuel. But exactly how much do those savings equal in dollars? It could be quite a lot, considering this winter’s unusual rise in gas prices. In a typical year, gas prices drop a few cents after Labor Day and rarely break $3 through the fall and winter, say economists with the Energy Information Administration. The National Association of Convenience Stores agrees, adding that retailers switch from more expensive summer blends to less expensive blends in the fall, and traditionally see prices at their lowest in January. Unfortunately, this year is anything but typical, with gas prices breaking $3 per gallon in most markets nationwide. Changing your...

Snowmobile season is underway throughout the northern U.S. Is yours ready? E3 Spark Plugs offers a checklist to make you won’t find yourself stranded on the slopes. Make sure you've got a new set of E3 snowmobile spark plugs before you head out onto the slopes this season. First, top off before heading out for each ride. These include gas, oil, coolant and brake fluid. Make sure that you check the engine coolant level only when the engine is cold. This will prevent an inaccurate reading, not to mention the chance of burning your skin or eyes with hot coolant. Check for proper chassis lubrication several times over the course of the season – at least three times, more if you use your snowmobile daily. Use a high quality, low temperature grease to help prevent premature...

E3 Spark Plugs will be “livin’ on Tulsa time” next week, as the song lyric goes. We’re co-sponsoring the 25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals (a.k.a. the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals), held at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds’ Tulsa Expo Raceway January 11-15. Known as the world’s premier indoor dirt track racing extravaganza since 1987, the Chili Bowl Nationals this year features nearly 270 competitor representing 29 states plus New Zealand and Australia. Racer Derek Morgan during the 2008 Chili Bowl Nationals. This year’s event carries some very familiar names. All but two of the 25 drivers who battled it out in the 2010 event’s 50-lap finale are back for another shot at the championship title. Missing from the tracks this year...