Is it really necessary to run platinum plugs. What advantages, if any, are there to running them in a stock engine that goes back and forth to the mall and grocery store. Are they really worth spending 4-5 times as much? Thanks for the input.

 

It boils down to how much your time is worth. If you don't mind replacing the spark plugs every 20K, then you don't need to run platinums.

The reason that double platinum plugs - and now the newer FM "fine metal" plugs - are recommended by Ford is because they will last longer than other plugs. Lasting longer means maintaining the proper gap longer, and plug gap is an example of something that can directly affect engine performance.

Keep in mind that the Ford DIS/DIS ignition sytems are of the "waste spark" design, which means that the spark plugs are firing twice as often, and with a different polarity each time. The Motorcraft DPs and FM Series plugs were designed especially for DIS/EDIS.