Lawn Mower Spark Plugs VS Car Spark Plugs – Are They Same?

by Lee Safin

Spark plug, tiny yet mighty, is one of the essential parts of the engine, especially for the ignition system. Your lawn mower starts when the spark plug ignites the air-fuel mixture. It produces the electricity required to create an ignition.

Are lawn mower spark plugs same as car spark plugs?

Probably not. Whether you can use car mower spark plugs for your lawnmower depends on several factors: heat range, thread type, model, size, and other physical differences. On top of that, the functionality of spark plugs is not 100% the same though many of them may have a similar physical appearance.

Lawn Mower Spark Plugs VS Car Spark Plugs – Are They Same?
Lawn Mower Spark Plugs VS Car Spark Plugs – Are They Same?

Are Lawn Mower Spark Plugs Same As Car Spark Plugs?

A spark plug is a common yet essential part of lawnmowers and automobiles, which helps power and start the vehicle through the ignition system.

Though lawn mower spark plugs and car spark plugs have the same functions, experts recommend not using them unless they meet some crucial specifications.

However, you have no problem using car spark plugs for your lawnmower if they are interchangeable.

Thread Size

Lawn Mower Spark Plug Vs Car Spark Plug
Lawn Mower Spark Plug Vs Car Spark Plug

The first common difference you will notice is the different tread sizes between lawn mower engines and car engines.

As car engines are at least slightly bigger, they have 14-millimeter thread. On the contrary, many lawn mower engines have either 10 or 12-millimeter thread.

So you don’t use any spark plugs for your lawnmowers, which have bigger spark plugs, and the same goes for cars too.

Hence, you should avoid using them until they have a similar thread size, along with considering other factors. If not, you may end up damaging engine functions or even the plug.

Thread Length

Apart from the thread size, you also want to consider the thread length of spark plugs. Using the right thread length ensures a perfect and smooth engine operation. We found it as the best spark plug for lawnmowers.

Champion Copper Plus 71 Spark Plug (Pack Of 1)
Champion Copper Plus 71 Spark Plug (Pack Of 1)

Some car spark plugs are 3/4 inch in length, and some are 1/2 inch in length. On the other contrary, you will find many lawn mower spark plugs with 3/8 inch in length.

You don’t want to use the wrong spark plugs as it will lead to engine impairment gradually.

Heat Range

Suppose the thread diameter and length of car spark lengths have matched. Will you use it for your lawnmower engines? Before that, you want to consider the heat range.

If you are lawnmower has an air-cooled engine, a car spark plug might be too cool or too hot for your lawnmower.

If you have a Kohler lawnmower, you can think about this ignition coil.

Ignition Coil Module For Kohler CV11 CV12.5S CV13S CV14S CV15S CV15ST Engine Mower For John Deere GT225 LT133 LT155 LT160 LX173 LX255 LX266 SST15 STX30 STX38 1258404S 12-584-01S 12 584 04-S 1258401S
Ignition Coil Module For Kohler CV11 CV12.5S CV13S CV14S CV15S CV15ST Engine Mower For John Deere GT225 LT133 LT155 LT160 LX173 LX255 LX266 SST15 STX30 STX38 1258404S 12-584-01S 12 584 04-S 1258401S

The spark plug center electrode will pre-ignite if the lawnmower engine becomes too hot. On the contrary, if the lawnmower engine becomes too cold, there is a risk of oil or gas fouling a spark plug, which may lead to a misfire.

Model Specification

Are lawn mower spark plugs same as car spark plugs depend on their models too?

In older days, lawn mower spark plugs only would come in a few models. That’s why they could use them in different models.

However, now, a wide range of lawnmowers are available in different specifications. So, you want to check the manual instructions to see whether your car spark plug has similar specifications to your mower spark plug; only then you can use it.

Are All Lawn Mower Spark Plugs The Same?

Are All Lawn Mower Spark Plugs The Same?
Are All Lawn Mower Spark Plugs The Same?

You have already understood that a considerable difference exists between lawn mower spark plugs and car spark plugs. Even not all lawn mower spark plugs are the same.

Are all lawn mower spark plugs the same?

No, all lawn mower spark plugs have similar specifications. They come in different sizes and dimensions. Additionally, some spark plugs work efficiently in cooler temperatures, while some run smoothly in hotter temperatures.

So, what problems will you face if you install incompatible spark plugs for your lawnmower? Installing extremely cool plugs for your lawnmower may lead to running at low power, and it may even sometimes disconnect. Similarly, the internal combustion engine may start to show impairment for using extremely hot plugs.

Besides, you also don’t want to install too long or too short a lawnmower that could lead to poor engine performance and other issues. So now you know clearly about this question: are all lawn mower spark plugs the same?

Read More – Why The Spark Plug of The Lawn Mower is Wet? How To Fix It?

What Kind Of Spark Plug Does A Craftsman Lawn Mower Take?

Few lawn mower brands are as good as Craftsman. They have built a remarkable reputation by manufacturing high-quality self-propelled lawnmowers.

Champion RJ19LM Lawn & Garden Equipment Engine Spark Plug Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Part
Champion RJ19LM Lawn & Garden Equipment Engine Spark Plug Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Part

What kind of spark plug does a craftsman lawn mower take?

Most lawn mowers from the Craftsman brand are either compatible with the J19LM spark plug or a Champion model RJ19LM. However, you may also find a few other spark plug models, which are mostly seen in the new and advanced Craftsman Lawn Mowers for professional usage.

What Kind Of Spark Plug Does A Toro Lawn Mower Take?

When you are looking for excellent power and cutting quality, Toro Lawn Mowers are one of the best options to consider. They have many self-propelled lawn mowers, which can help you cut even the most challenging lawn.

Champion Copper Core Plus RA8HC Spark Plug RA8HC
Champion Copper Core Plus RA8HC Spark Plug RA8HC

What kind of spark plug does a Toro lawn mower take?

Though several types of sparks plugs are available for Toro Lawn Mowers, RA8HC and RJ19LM are the two most commonly used spark plugs for this brand. However, you need to manufacturer’s recommendation before installing a particular one for your lawnmower.

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No products found.

What kind of spark plug does a Toro lawn mower take depends on the lawnmower you have. Whether you should use these two commonly used plugs depends on your engine compatibility.

What Kind Of Spark Plug Does A Honda Lawn Mower Take?

If you are looking for a lawnmower, which is not easily prone to repair, you should check out some Honda lawnmowers. This automobile company has built a reputed image in the lawnmower industry too.

NGK 7090 BKR5EGP G-Power Spark Plug, Pack Of 4
NGK 7090 BKR5EGP G-Power Spark Plug, Pack Of 4

What kind of spark plug does a Honda lawn mower take?

The most popular and extensively used spark plug for Honda lawn mowers is NGK spark plug. In fact, it is pretty common among Honda lawnmowers. With this spark plug, you can ensure top-notch performance with the lowest failure rate for your engine. This lawnmower has long-lasting durability and fuel efficiency too.

Knowing what kind of spark plug does a Honda lawn mower take will help you decide the best one for your lawnmower. Though the NGK spark plug is a widely used spark plug for Honda lawn mowers, you should still want to be sure whether your engine is compatible with it or not.

What Kind Of Spark Plug Does A Murray Lawn Mower Take?

If you are an old user of lawn mowers, you have most probably heard about the Murray brand, and you know how good they were. They have many high-quality pushes and riding lawnmowers.

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No products found.

What kind of spark plug does a Murray lawn mower take?

Murray lawnmowers need different types of spark plugs based on the model and size. However, the Briggs & Stratton Spark Plug (RJ19LM) is a common spark plug that is compatible with many lawnmowers.

But you will also find unique spark plugs for a particular lawnmower too. For example, if you have an MU-743188B lawnmower, you should use the 74-3188B Murray spark plug. For the MU-743190B lawnmower, it is recommended to use a 74-3190B spark plug. So it is essential to know what kind of spark plug does a Murray lawn mower takes before choose a particular one.

What Kind Of Spark Plug Does A Husqvarna Lawn Mower Take?

If you are looking for efficient and user-friendly lawn mowers, you can trust Husqvarna. Each lawn mower from this model has a truly stunning and first-rate ergonomic design.

What kind of spark plug does a Husqvarna lawn mower take?

Most latest lawnmowers from Husqvarna are compatible with NGK Standard Spark Plugs. However, you will also find a specific spark plug for a particular model.

Spark Plug Name Models that are compatible to use
ChamChampion RJ8C spark plugpion RJ8C spark plug Husqvarna 51MDT, 56HT, 56HST, Tecumseh 6 h.p. engines
ChampiChampion RC12YC spark plugon RC12YC spark plug 510, 510MD, 560SR, 560H, 560HS, 580R, 580RS, 580RSW, 580RSE, 600C, 580BBC, 6522SH, 6522CH, 6521RS
ChampioChampion RCJ8 spark plug n RCJ8 spark plug  Kawasaki FD661D, Subaru/Robin 4-Cycle OHV single-cylinder

What Type Of Spark Plug Does A Briggs And Stratton Lawn Mower Take?

It is hard to find who doesn’t know the name of Briggs And Stratton. This famous brand is dominating the market for more than 100 years with its quality machines.

What type of spark plug does a Briggs And Stratton lawnmower take?

It is best to use that type of spark plug recommended by Briggs And Stratton based on your lawn mower engine model. There are two types of lawn mowers engine available for Briggs And Stratton lawnmowers:  flat-head and L-head engines.

For the lawnmower L-Head engine of Briggs And Stratton, three types of spark plugs are available:

Serial No. Type of Spark Plug
1 Platinum SPlatinum Spark Plugpark Plug
2 Electromagnetic SuppressElectromagnetic Suppression (Ems) Spark Plugion (Ems) Spark Plug
3 StandarStandard Resistor Spark Plugd Resistor Spark Plug

Knowing what type of spark plug does a Briggs And Stratton lawnmower take will help you prevent internal engine damage and performance issue.

Can You Use Any Spark Plug For Lawn Mower?

Various shapes, sizes, and models are available for spark plugs. Earlier, there weren’t such a variety of spark plugs in the market. But now, hundreds of spark plugs are available in the market.

Can you use any spark plug for lawn mower?

Probably not. Any spark plug may not be compatible with your lawnmower engine. You first need to know the type of lawnmower engine you have and then find out whether it fits your engine or not.

The best thing you can do is go to a nearby physical store with the old spark plug. You tell them your engine model and show them your old spark plug. They will show you the type of spark plug available for your lawnmower in their shop.

They may also have several options, and whichever suits your preferences best, you can choose.  Hopefully, now know the answer to this question: can you use any spark plug for lawn mower?

Are Lawn Mower Spark Plugs Universal?

Lawnmowers maybe are not as complex as other automobiles. However, you can’t take them a simple machine because there are several moving parts in their engine.

Are lawn mower spark plugs universal?

No, every lawnmower has a specific spark plug for its engine. And, each engine has a unique engine model number, which determines the compatibility of a spark plug. Unless the spark plug fits the engine, you can’t get enough support for the engine. An incorrectly installed spark plug may damage or cause engine failure. Hence, before choosing particular spark plugs, you must make sure it fits your engine.

So, the spark plugs model vary. It is because several companies manufacture lawnmowers. They use different spark plugs for their lawnmower engines. It is best to check the manual instruction to find out the type of lawnmower your engine has.

How To Tell If Spark Plugs Are Bad Lawn Mower?

Wondering you can use the same spark plug for your lawnmower lifetime? No, after a specific time, you will need to change the spark plugs. But that doesn’t mean you will change functional spark plugs. Instead, change it only when it seems wrong.

How To Tell If Spark Plugs Are Bad Lawn Mower?

When the need to change the spark plug arises, your spark plug will show you symptoms such as unstable engine performance, difficulty to start, abnormal structure, too much fuel intake, etc. Therefore, the earlier you change the spark plug, the better it will be for the lawnmower.

1. Difficult To Start

One of the biggest issues you will see is having difficulty starting your lawnmower. You may need to go for several attempts to start the engine.

2. Unstable Engine Performance

When the replacement for spark plug comes, you will notice your lawn mower engine is not as efficient as it used to be earlier.

For example, you may notice the engine automatically stops in the middle of the mowing. Or, it doesn’t cut the grass as quickly as it used to do.

3. Too Much Fuel Intake

A bad spark plug might be the reason behind too much fuel intake than before. Because of this, inefficient or incomplete combustion of gasoline occurs.

4. Abnormal Structure

Sometimes, you can tell if your spark plug is bad or not just by looking at its physical structure. Any chips or cracks in the spark plug are a sign of a bad spark plug. They are always supposed to have a good shape if they are not bad.

So, these are ways you can know how to tell if spark plugs are bad lawnmowers.

What Kind Of Spark Plug Goes In A Lawn Mower?

You can’t always use a similar spark plug for both automobile engines and lawnmower engines. After all, their physical structure and functions slightly vary. However, many common sparked plugs are made by many companies, which are compatible with several models of lawnmowers.

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No products found.

What kind of spark plug goes in a lawn mower?

Spark plug compatibility with a lawnmower depends in part on the thread size. From 10 to 12 mm, threads come in different sizes. So whenever you want to replace your current spark plug, check out the information of the old spark to know its compatibility.

Knowing what kind of spark plug goes in a lawnmower will help you choose the perfect one for your lawnmower. As a result, you will get reliable and consistent performance to cut grass.

Are Lawn Mower Spark Plugs Pre Gapped?

There must be a correct gap between the electrodes of a spark plug to prevent skip firing and too early ignition. According to experts, the distance should be between 0.028 and 0.031 inches.

Are lawn mower spark plugs pre-gapped?

The spark plugs of most lawnmowers are pre-gapped before they are put on the market. However, when lawnmowers are sent to physical stores by manufacturers, the gapping position may change. That’s why it is better to check the gap distance before installing it.

When the gapping position is inaccurate, it may cause ignition issues. This mainly occurs due to the movement of the products while shipping them from one area or country to another area or country. You should now have a clear idea on this query: are lawn mower spark plugs pre-gapped?

Read More – Which Are The Best Lawn Mowers For Small Yards?

Buy them at Walmart, eBay, or Etsy

Champion RJ8C spark plug - Etsy, eBay

Champion RC12YC spark plug - Etsy, eBay

Electromagnetic Suppression (Ems) Spark Plug - Etsy, eBay

Standard Resistor Spark Plug - Etsy, eBay

Conclusion

So, are you still wondering about this common question: are lawn mower spark plugs same as car spark plugs? You should not. We have outlined all essential details to learn about lawn mower spark plugs.

Most times, you can’t use car spark plugs for your lawn mower spark plugs. But few exemptions exit. Nowadays, many brands manufacture standard spark plugs, which can be used for automobiles and lawnmowers too.

But, make sure you are purchasing the correct spark plug for your lawnmower to get reliable, consistent, and efficient grass-cutting performance. Thanks for reading!

Read More – Why The Spark Plug of The Lawn Mower is Wet? How To Fix It?

Last update on 2023-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Lee Safin

Lee Safin was born near Sacramento, California on a prune growing farm. His parents were immigrants from Russia who had fled the Bolshevik Revolution. They were determined to give their children a better life than they had known. Education was the key for Lee and his siblings, so they could make their own way in the world. Lee attended five universities, where he studied plant sciences and soil technologies. He also has many years of experience in the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a commercial fertilizer formulator.

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