Spark plug replacement

Hello everyone,

I got a 2012 Tacoma SR5, and looking to replace spark plugs. I already know toyota does a NGK/Denso split but I’m just gonna go with de so after reading through a few posts.

I’ve looked at rockauto and found that they have 3 different Denso Iridium ones. All three are iridium, but they have the power, long life and TT ones.

which model should I go with?

 

I'd go with the regular copper plugs, whatever the OE plug is

 

Check the Owner's Manual. It will have the details for the correct plugs for your engine.

What engine do you have? V-6 or I4?

 

Lotsa folks complain about the iridium plugs inexplicably giving worse fuel economy. I'd recommend copper, I don't think brand matters too much as long as it's a reputable one. NGK or Denso should work fine.

 

My local Toyota dealer and NAPA store strongly recommended NOT to use iridium plugs on my 2009 V6 Tacoma.

 

Just say NO,.....to Iridium.

 

I use OEM plugs on mine and follow the recommended maintenance intervals from the manual. They're cheap and work well.

 

Another vote for oe copper. I can say I went with denso. They didn’t look perfect. The u groove wasn’t centered on some. Maybe ngk is the better choice.

 

When I pulled my factory plugs the NGKs had a bigger gap, so I installed Densos.

 

Long life.

 

Use the Denso Iridium SK 20HR - U11. Iridium is 700 times stronger then Platinum, that replaced copper, all for a reason.
Geez, your really going to read what the "original 2005 owners Manuel" says! There is synthetic oil now too, lol. Products improve.

 

The only tangible difference between copper, platinum, iridium electrode plugs is longevity. They will all perform the same, some will just last longer than others.

 

If Denso's application guide lists an iridium plug for your Tacoma, then it's a suitable replacement for OEM. Same goes for the application guide's from any reputable part's manufacturer.

As for which of the three iridium's to chose, read the product description of each and buy the one appropriate for your needs and style of driving. I have the Long Life's. My first set of Iridiums were changed at 115K and the truck was still running great when I replaced them, but had to replace them because the central electrodes were wearing down. Nothing should change, performance and MPG wise, in normal driving between copper and iridium's. Iridium's cost less in the long run and you'll be replacing plugs less often are the biggest differences.

 

Another vote for stock copper Denso's. You cant go wrong with the factory recommendation. Changing them out every 30K isn't that big of a job.

 

The 2.7 calls for iridium's only, from experience it's kinda a wash with material, just longevity I've seen.

 

Copper Spark Plugs
Copper spark plugs are generally considered to have the best performance of any spark plug type. This is potentially different from what advertising companies suggest, but the other metals are, unfortunately, not as conductive in general as copper is. Platinum and iridium plugs are more likely to overheat, which causes damage to the plug components and can compromise the delivery of the spark to the engine block.

 

After 100,000 miles the original factory dual prong platinum DENSO plugs showed negligible wear so I replaced with the same new DENSO plugs.

 

I just replaceed the copper plug with the

$59 Denso SK20hr11 ---- IRIDIUM PLATINUM power pack Spark Plugs -- # 3421 ----- 6 PCS NEW

Denso SK20hr11 3 week ago. I didn't see any improvment or change with fuel consumption. Maybe a little more "joie de vivre" when accelerating, but i had 3-4 spark plug over 0.053 and i didn't know the last change from the previous owner. They looked fine so i knew i didn't had lean rich or any bad condition in the cylinder. I do maybe 6500 miles per year so the price/year cost is not a concern for me.

It seem that some 4.0 dosen't like them, i use 91 octane fuel (the only one i can get with no ethanol) and it run fine, i do maybe 30/70 Highway/city, and i get around 17-18 MPG. If they realy last 100 000 miles, i will probably change them in 10+ year.

 

I’ve read on more than one occasion copper provided better performance or whatever. I’ve used iridium in the past in other vehicles, left them in for a really long time with very little center electrode erosion.

It takes time for a spark plug to wear out but they do eventually wear out. One could probably get away with regapping them once or twice, then replacing next interval. The center electrode starts to wear, imagine a new pencil eraser vs one that’s been used. The hook will also start to wear thin. I’ve seen them completely worn off as in not there anymore.

I replaced my originals at around 80k miles shortly after buying it a couple years ago. The gaps were more than double what they’re supposed to be. The denso plugs I got from Amazon I suspect to be counterfeit, they looked pretty cheap.

 

The original coppers have performed flawlessly for so many miles, why go with iridium? Same goes with conventional oil.