Spark plugs

[wingysataday]

What kind of spark plugs are you guys running? I went down to the auto parts store today and they were going on and on about NGK spark plugs and saying how awesome they are. What do you think?

 

[The Great Him]

well NGK are the only aftermarket plug id use. i think mine are either NGK or Denso, idk what ever Toyota gave me.

 

[123ROBERTELEE]

Went back with OEM... always go back with OEM

 

[wingysataday]

Just a heads up the passenger side rear spark plug was almost rusted in permanently when I was changing my plugs. It's always a good idea to start your vehicle and let it warm up before you change your spark plugs. If you change spark plugs on a cold vehicle you risk breaking one off inside the head. This did not happen to me but it wouldn't be a bad idea to squirt a little WD 40 or something down the cylinder if you're struggling with one.

 

[theferg]

Yup. Another vote here for OEM.

Appreciate the advise there as well @wingysataday as I have 16 spark plugs on the way and get to do both my GX470 and the LX470, both of which are at ~140K miles, and both appear to have never been done. (I've only recently acquired them both within the past couple months).

 

[wingysataday]

Mine were looking pretty worn out at 143k. I have no idea if they were ever changes

 

[THeGeNTLeMaN]

Iv never changed spark plugs on a vehicle that iv owned ... not out of neglect but iv just never driven them long enough to worry ... my gx is the highest mileage vehicle iv ever has ... when do they need to be changed other than the obvious not firing on all cylinders

 

[GXO]

service interval...I do them every 100k unless there is something wrong.

 

[THeGeNTLeMaN]

I bought mine at 109k and I'm due for an oil change. .. I'll have to try and look up a service history ...
but iv considered servicing all regular maintenance fluids and filters and maybe spark plugs just so I can have a starting point to keep track of ...

 

[chitown40]

Are the GX's equipped with platinum or iridium plugs from the factory? I thought the interval on the 2UZ motor was about 100k between changes. I know the 1GRE on the Tacos, 4Runners, and FJs use standard plugs with a 30k change-out interval.

 

[wingysataday]

Factory plugs are ngk iridium I replace mine with platinum's because they are only $3 compared to factory $10-20$/piece! They are easy to change. I do them every 50-70k.

 

[wingysataday]

You can have a pretty significant miles per gallon change if you have bad plugs

 

[buck208]

Iv never changed spark plugs on a vehicle that iv owned ... not out of neglect but iv just never driven them long enough to worry ... my gx is the highest mileage vehicle iv ever has ... when do they need to be changed other than the obvious not firing on all cylinders

When I registered our GX with Lexus, I looked up the maintenance schedule and Lexus recommends replacing spark plugs at the 120k service. Seems like the 120k service is quite extensive and I imagine costly if having the work done at the dealership.