2015 Taco spark plug confusion???

Yep, exactly. I'll take scheduled inconvenience over unscheduled emergency every time.

 

(owned my truck from 38k and it still had factory 1/2 denso/ngk plugs) I first changed my plugs at 96k with NGK, again at 123k, 157k, and 230k with Denso. 270k on the clock runs like a dream. Never noticed any power loss or mileage drop. I'm not entirely sure the 30k mark is 100% needed. Also not recommending leaving them as long as me.

 

FYI my dealer sells the Denso’s (

$6 90919-01235 Toyota Genuine Spark Plug

90919-01235) for $2.88 a piece If you buy them from their online marketplace and then pick them up. Some dealers have more competitive price if you buy from their online marketplace and then pick them up instead of showing up and paying for it them.

 

I use tempest spark plug anti seize, works great.

 

Yep, changed my plugs at 105 k and was surprised to find the original plugs, half denso, half ngk, yes I bought my truck used. They were actually in good shape and came out easy enough, I'd think 50k wouldn't be a crazy interval.

 

I've been running iridium plugs in my '06 4.0 for over 250,000 miles... haven't had any issues yet...

-Bear

 

I use these in my 4.0. Changed at 30k and 60k. Runs flawlessly on them. I have NEVER used antiseize on any plug...ever, in many years of wrenching

 

Pretty much the same for me. I actually did mine at 154k miles, and it looked like the OG plugs and had the same oil on plug by the firewall phenomenon that many people get. It's also one the easiest maintenance items ever for a weekend warrior mechanic like me. I'll definitely plan to do this every 30k miles, just because it's so cheap and easy to do...

 

It’s a great “next step” project for the home gamer wanting to move beyond fluid changes.

30k is easiest for me because I can knockout diffs and plugs at the same time.

 

It’s time for me to change mine again. I have stuck with the original mixed brand configuration because I am obsessive that way. Anyone remember the part numbers for The OEM setup?

 

Why doesn't anyone recommend Iridium plugs?? They are far superior to copper core. Period. The coils on our Tacomas are used on most Toyota engines with the difference being the length of the tube, some models with copper plugs and some with iridium plugs so the coil isn't going to be a reason for not using an iridium plug. The spark is more powerful, more concentrated, more consistent and it's a longer lasting plug.

I installed NGK LFR6T11 Iridium plugs with no issues and not having to worry about replacing them every 30k. I have ran Iridium plugs (usually NGK) in every late model vehicle I have owned (import or domestic) and will always do that. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/toyota,2015,tacoma,4.0l+v6,3310144,ignition,spark+plug,7212

PSA - DO NOT use platinum plugs or any electrical or ignition component with the name Bosch on it. Complete junk!!! I have installed Bosch products per customer request many times and had to end up replacing it either instantly or shortly after because the part failed, only to replace it with NGK, Denso, ACDelco, Motorcraft..etc with no more issues after that. This is especially true with O2 sensors and ignition components. I have also noticed on import vehicles tend not to like autolite or champion spark plugs no matter the plug material.

PSA #2 - Purchase from a reputable source as well. There are a lot of counterfeit NGK and Denso plugs out there on Amazon and ebay. I believe that may be why some may have had issues with Iridium plugs in the past.

 

I tried iridium plugs and my truck ran like I had water in the fuel lines. Yes I gapped them properly. They just sucked. So I went back to OEM.

 

Thats interesting..... Where did you get them? Gaping Iridium plugs is rarely needed and when doing so you can't gap them like you do traditional plugs. A lot of care must be taken to not damage the electrode tip and the coating on the ground electrode. Not saying you did anything incorrectly, just trying to find where something may have gone wrong. Again, my experience is quite different. I don't understand how some of Tacomas work fine and others don't.

 

Copper plugs can easily go 30K+ miles in our Tacos. The reason for the recommended 30K replacement recommendation is identified in the maintenance schedule, "... Required under the terms of the Emission Control Warranty".

As to whether you can use iridium plugs - from a reputable manufacturer, follow their application guide. I don't think there is any argument NGK and Denso are both reputable manufacturers of spark plugs. If their application guides list an iridium plug, then you can be sure their engineers have tested and designed their plugs to operate in the engines as listed on their respective application guides.

My first set of NGK iridiums, I replaced at 115K and they had no performance issues when I replaced them. However, the gaps had widened to about .060; this puts a strain on the ignition coils. I replaced with Denso Iridium Long Life plugs; they should handle 100K better then the NGK's.

As for putting anti seize on NGK and Denso plugs. Neither manufacturer say not to use anti-seize. They say it is not required because the threads of their plugs are treated with a dry anti-seize film. But, I repeat, neither state not to apply anti-seize; as with any bolt with lube being applied to the threads, you want to reduce the torque setting by about 10% to avoid over-torquing.

 

Very interesting. I have not looked into the Denso Long Life Iridium plugs. I like the sounds of that! However I only put about 10k on per year, so I'll probably end up replacing them after 5-6 years of use just because I would rather over maintain than the opposite. Just like fluids, I run into time as factor before mileage usually.

 

I'm going to assume the manufacturer's statement that anti-seize isn't needed is tantamount to them saying not to use it. Like @Crosis, I'm a bit OCD and want to do things by the book. It seems like the surest way to reach a half million miles.

 

It’s a 1GR-FE, change the oil every whenever and it will hit half a million...

 

Haha! So accurate!! But then theres nerds like me and others that far out-nerd me that nit-pick everything to the nth degree. I've seen/worked on some pretty ragged Toyotas that were very poorly maintained with 500K+. But I want to get lots of years while keeping it looking its best too.

 

Iridiums are as useless as cold air intakes on these engines, unless your supercharged. Yeah you’ll save some time by not changing them as often but that’s it. Copper plugs for the win. Save a little cash for something else. I had 60K on my originals. Replaced them with copper densos. No change in fuel economy.

 

For about $1-$2 more each plug ($6-$12 total) I'll totally buy the higher quality part. If nothing else it makes me sleep better at night. I'm not trying to say that copper plugs are absolutely terrible, they're just not for me. To each their own.