I change my sparkies once a year no matter what folks. Right now I have bosch plats or was it autolite plats??? either way, a spark is a spark. now, irridium may be a touch different, but if you aren't upgrading your wires and such, whats the point. I read through this whole topic and didn't see anyone quoting their MPG. My 2004 Xb is getting on average 32MPG most of the time. Lowest is usually 30mpg, highest 34mpg. Sometimes on long road trips you might pull 36-38 fully loaded down. Also someone mentioned a brake change around 60k. I also did this. Now, it didn't need to be done, but I did it just as a precaution. I probably could have squeezed another 6-12k out of them easily. It all depends on how a person drives and brakes. There is no "magic" number. You can probably go longer on your first pads, but not on your second pads as your rotors will be more worn out. Anyhow, just one mans opinion. If you are unsure about your sparks, check your mpg, if they are lacking, pull one out and take a look. If its looking bad, change em. If it looks ok, go another oil change or two and then recheck. Too many lazy people out there. If you are good to your car, it should be good to you. exiting soapbox, lol.

 

i changed my spark plugs about a week ago to the NGK irridiums
and for some reason after the change, my MPG went down.
26mpg to 23mpg...
um. yeah.
i was thinking it could be of the freezing temperatures and the fact that it's raining all the time.
or it could be that it's only been a week and i need more time before it kicks in

but can i get any input on why?
do i need to reset the fuse?

 

If you're changing plugs every year, why pay for platinum? The benefit of a platinum plug is the longer service life. A standard plug would give you the best bang for the buck.

IMO, AC Delco makes a great standard plug that I've used in other vehicles. You just have to check (and maybe replace) every 10k-15k miles because they'll wear a little fast. For only $2-$3 each, it's probably better to just replace them. Interesting that the AC Delco specs .044 gap.

 

seems like everyones hitting 30k lateley im at 32 i wanty some iridiums but im not sure how to gap plugs

 

Done, easy! Get BKR5EIX 11 they are already gapped to .044.

BKREIX (no"11") come pre gapped at .032.

 

My wife's 06 is at 31K, so I guess I should probably change the plugs, but is it worth the expense to go to iridiums, or just a decent set of NGK or Bosch or whatever? It's not like she drives it hard. In fact, for some reason hers seems to have a little more power than my 06. She has 31K and I have 16K on mine. Any thoughts?

 

after the car breaks in it does seem to have a little more power its more like loose

 

Eactly right!
A "spark plug is a spark plug"?!?! Sounds like someone had a brain fart.

 

Sounds like maybe something other than the plugs. Did you make sure they were properly gapped? Does it run better and smoother? If not you have something else going wrong.
Besides, if you were only getting 26 before the plug change that wasn't right either.

 

WHAT do I torque these down to??????????????????????

for that matter is there anything on here that has the torque settings for suspension components??

 

Not sure of the torque for plugs. I think its a half turn after they are finger tight.

 

Good call, Jeff!

13 ft/lbs or "1/2 turn after hand tightened" step #10:
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43053

 

Did you use rubber hose to install them Robert? I got tired of my socket insert getting left on the plug. Then having to grab it with needle nose plyers. I almost need a Scion specific sparkplug socket cause they are so deep inside the hole.

 

Jeff, standard deep socket on a 6" extension, with masking tape on 1~2 flats. Tape was "U" shaped over the edge of the socket, 1/2 inside, 1/2 outside.

Glue that rubber insert to the socket with gorilla glue, 3M or Barge.

 

Good ideas. The insert was old anyhow. Time to upgrade.
Plus the DC strut bar was always in the darn way.

 

The new sockets have a magnet to hold the plug in, it works great.

 

Oh, I got my new plugs in, pre gapped at .044 and it definitely made a difference. It idles smoother and has more pep.

 

We told ya so. J/K
Doug, who sells them magnetic plug sockets. Maybe a link if I don't have a store nearby? Thanks

 

Happy birthday Jeff!!

I had Iridium plugs in my box before, I use them when I run my N2O, but the first time I had to change the gap and I ended up breaking that tiny electrode. With the pre-gapped plugs I didn't have to worry about it.

 

Thanks, it sux getting old.
I got lucky when I regapped mine to .044.