Have you ever watched a movie scene and wondered how a tiny spark plug could turn the glass windows into shreds? Are you still in doubt at knowing that spark plugs could break windows and are looking to unveil the truth behind this and see if it’s a fact or just another myth roaming around you?
If you want to explore more about why does a spark plug break glass windows and are looking to find the answer to the question, this guide has you covered.
In this write-up, I will list some factors that work behind making a spark plug strong enough to break a glass window and will take you through some different types of spark plugs. I will also provide you with a list of some other possible causes for your glass window to turn into shreds.
Can Spark Plugs Break Windows?
Before moving towards the factors that contribute to making it possible for the spark plugs to break windows, let me first answer the most striking question you might have in mind, i.e., is it even possible for spark plugs to break windows?
Well, guess what? The spark plugs can break windows, considering that they are made of highly strong porcelain material. However, you can’t expect the glass window to be broken every time you throw a spark plug on it.
It’s because, even though it’s possible to break windows using spark plugs, that’s not what they were originally designed for. Spark plugs, in case you’re not aware, are a crucial component of the internal combustion engine of your vehicle, and they work to ignite the mix of air and fuel in the engine.
However, despite the purpose they serve in a vehicle, they can still cause significant damage to a car’s window if thrown at it with enough force and speed. But you can’t always imagine this happening as this situation is highly improbable.
Note: If your check engine light has gone off by itself and you don’t know why it’s happening and how to fix the issue, check out the article to know more about it.
Factors That Make Spark Plugs Break Windows
The fact that spark plugs are capable of breaking glass windows is quite shocking, and the first concern that arises in your mind upon hearing this is why do spark plugs break windows or what factors actually contribute to making this possible.
Here, I have listed some of the reasons that contribute to making spark plugs break the windows to help you understand this whole phenomenon a little better.
Explosion In the Engine
One of the main factors that could make a spark plug hit the glass window so hard that it could break is an explosion inside the combustion chamber.
This explosion could force the spark plugs to expel from the engine with so much force that it could damage the window. However, this explosion inside the combustion chamber or mechanical failure of the engine is highly unlikely to happen.
Construction of the Plugs
As I have stated earlier, spark plugs are made of aluminum oxide ceramics, also known as porcelain.
High Speed/High Velocity
If your car gets into an accident, making the spark plugs hit the glass window with significantly higher velocity or speed, this could cause enough damage to the glass, eventually breaking it into smaller shreds or pieces.
Faulty Manufacturing
Some manufacturing faults with the spark plugs can make them expel out of the engine with extraordinarily high force, i.e., breaking off and becoming a projectile that could cause damage to the glass window.
Note: If you are still wondering about how spark plugs break windows and how these are related to each other, check out the below YouTube video.
What Are Different Types of Spark Plugs?
For you to know how spark plugs work and what could contribute to them breaking the windows, you should look at all the different types of spark plugs. This way, you will also be able to know how they come in different constructions and material forms and how this could affect the way they would break the windows.
Note: Check out this write-up if you don’t know where to apply dielectric grease on a spark plug.
- Copper Plugs
This is the most basic and widely used type of spark plug and is known for its high conductivity and limited lifespan in comparison to other types. Another thing that makes them a traditional type is the fact that they are quite affordable. When copper spark plugs hit the glass window, it’s very rare for them to cause damage to it.
- Iridium Plugs
Iridium spark plugs are quite durable and strong. Thanks to their fine electrode tip, they tend to create a spark even at a seemingly lower voltage. Such spark plugs are likely to cause significant damage to a glass window, particularly due to explosions within the combustion chambers.
- Platinum Plugs
These plugs are also known for their longevity, like the Iridium ones, and are more durable than copper spark plugs. Platinum spark plugs are rare despite being more affordable than iridium ones.
- Silver Plugs
As the name suggests, the silver spark plugs feature a silver center electrode. In terms of conducting electricity, they are far better than copper plugs and offer more resistance. This makes it highly unlikely for these spark plugs to get expelled out of the engine by force, reducing the risk of potential damage to the glass windows.
What Are Some Other Causes of Window Breakage?
Although spark plugs can be responsible for breaking the glass windows of your vehicle on some rare occasions, here are some other causes of window breakage you should beware of.
- Outside Debris
One of the first things you should be careful of if you don’t want to get your vehicle’s windows renewed is the outside debris. Rocks or other objects that are moving on the road after getting kicked by other vehicles can strike your car’s glass, causing significant damage to it or breaking it in some cases.
- Temperature Change
If you drive in extreme weather conditions and suddenly enter from an area of extreme heat to a cold region, the glass of your car’s windows might not be able to handle this sudden temperature shift and could eventually break.
- Faulty Construction
Manufacturing defects in the window, i.e., usage of poor-quality glass or a minor scratch on it, can also lead to window breakage.
- Accidents
If your car ever collides with a surface hard, i.e., in case of accidents or collisions, this could turn the window glass into shreds.
Conclusion
With this, the guide on why spark plugs break windows is finally wrapped. In this write-up, I have answered the question of whether or not spark plugs can break windows. I also provided you with a list of factors that could contribute to window breakage through these plugs.
Furthermore, I explored all the common types of spark plugs along with explaining how efficient each of them is in breaking the glass window and ended the guide by listing some other potential causes of window breakage.
Hopefully, this guide has cleared up all your misconceptions related to spark plugs, and you won’t be confused about how these plugs can break the windows.
