Why does Toyota recommend changing spark plugs so soon (30,000 miles)

I have a 2013 Tacoma (4.0 V6),the recommended mileage for changing spark plugs is 30,000 miles.With most of my other vehicles, this wasn't required until somewhere between 60,000 or 100,000 miles, just wondering why Toyota recommends it so early.

 

Toyota puts in conventional copper plugs in the V6. The other vehicles (including the 4-cyl Taco) with 60k-100k change intervals have iridium-tipped plugs.

 

So why does the 4 cylinder Tacoma get better, longer lasting plugs then the 4.0 V6, seems odd.

 

A little light informative reading.

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-repair/copper-spark-plugs-vs-iridium-and-platinum-understand-for-top-performance

 

The 4-cyl also uses synthetic

$52 0W20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0W20 oil. The 4-cyl probably gets measurable fuel economy benefits from these little things while the V6 doesn't.

When I changed my plugs at 30k, I spent a bit more and installed the

$59 Denso SK20HR11 ---- IRIDIUM PLATINUM power pack Spark Plugs -- # 3421 ----- 6 PCS NEW

Denso SK20HR11 iridium long-life plugs specified for the 4-cyl.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...spark-plug-change-1-gr-fe-66.html#post8577130

The iridium plugs were $6 each compared to $3 each for the copper ones at Rock Auto. However, the dealer charges ~$65 extra if you want them to use iridium plugs.

 

Thanks, that was a good read, but,I still don't understand why the V6 gets a copper plug, and the 4 cylinder gets iridium. I understand there are pros and cons to every different type of plug,so,I guess my question is, Why does the V6 perform,or benefit better by having copper plugs, and the 4 cylinder perform or benefit better with iridium plugs?

 

I remember changing my plugs at 33k when I bought the truck.....The reason for the change I believe is emission warranty... which is what I read in the owners manual . I had bought the new plugs before pulling the old one's ..The passenger side was NGK and the plug gap was worn way out of spec...the driver side was Denso and hardly looked like it had been fired....sadly I bought the NGK's .....I will change the plugs again next spring at 60k and they will be denso's ....I don't like the thought of leaveing a plug in for more the 30ish k anyways.......My wife's old car called for a 80k plug change ....which is what I did ......Plugs came out of the head very hard and sqeeked the whole way out......I don't buy the iridiums as I change plugs at 30-40k anyways....

 

whatever you do do not run iridium plugs in your v6 unless you throw a supercharger in it and retune it.

you shouldn;t buy them regardless of when you change them. the v6 is not meant to run on them.

 

There's no reason for this statement. You can run the same heat range plugs of any variety in your car/truck. It's only when you are messing around with ignition and using colder plugs that you can foul them out easily. Copper plugs are good because they're cheap and offer low resistance for a good spark. Platinums last longer, but don't produce as strong. Iridiums are the best of both worlds, but u usually need to find the correct plug because you're not supposed to regap iridiums. They're also more expensive. I've had iridiums in multiple vehicles between a twin turbo stealth, a yamaha R6, and my wife's elantra comes stock with them.

 

So what is the recommended plug for the V6 when it's time to change?

 

If your truck is stock, just use coppers. Again, it's what you're comfortable spending. If you want iridiums, go for it. You just won't need to replace your plugs on the next regular tune up.

 

Copper....


There is a reason that Toyota put them in your V6 engine and recommend you replace them every 30k miles. $30 and about a hour of your time is nothing. If they would have wanted platinum or iridium plugs in there they would have designed the engine to use those type of plugs. Changing plugs every 2 years is no big deal to me.

 

How do you design an engine to not be able to use iridium plugs?

 

It doesn't call for them so I don't use them. If you're comfortable with using them go for it.