Changing Spark Plugs Easy and Worth it?

I have a 2003 Tacoma with 237k miles on it. I don't think the spark plugs have ever been changed and thinking it might run more efficiently and start better if I changed the plugs before I have a problem. Can the plugs just be replaced and that's that? A friend who also owns a Tacoma said his shop told him he needed some type of new calibration after he had some spark plugs replaced and the calibration was pricey.

I was going to buy some good spark plugs and have my shop replace them when I get the truck checked as I don't want to get a plug stuck if they have never come out. Would you replace them if it was you? Any advice welcome, thanks in advance.

 

Replacing them is rather easy. I know almost nothing about how to service vehicles, but have been learning step by step on my 95 3.4L 4x4. Did the plugs a few months ago and was surprised at the ease of replacing them. Make sure you watch a few YouTube videos and read your manual to get a sense of the critical points. Just make sure you don't cross thread when you're screwing the new cross threads in. If you have any specific questions just ask.

 

Yes do them they are easy I did them on my Toyota sequoia from 02 and it was a breeze. And 237 is a really long time to go without replacing them, so u should do that asap.

 

Yeah replace them. They do wear out and do affect the efficiency or lack thereof of your engine. As for new calibration, that is something I've never heard of whether it was a 1991 honda accord or 2016 Tacoma. Just replace the plugs, ensuring to use a QUALITY torque wrench along with antiseize on the threads.

The calibration sounds like a scam, real bad. You can always unplug the battery for a few minutes to get the ecu to relearn.

 

Changing plugs isn't usually that hard unless something goes wrong. They can be hard to get at some times though. The V6 has this issue on a couple of them. At 237K miles on the originals though you may be in for more of a challenge than if you changed them at the correct intervals. Never heard of a calibration before. Maybe your friend misheard or got ripped off by the shop they used.

 

I wonder if his shop meant the correct torque was needed, but yeah, correct calibration is something I haven't heard of either

 

Haven't heard of calibration either.

If you need to use an extension to get to the plugs, make sure to get one thats permanently attached to the spark plug socket; makes life easy.

 

237k on the original plugs? uhh, yes, replace them before the trucks starts having issues. Very easy to do and yes, very worth it. It is recommended you stick with Denso or NGK sparkplugs

I don't know what it is about, but calibrating the sparkplugs isn't a thing. However, they need to be torqued correctly (use a torque wrench)

oh and if you don't know what to choose between copper, platinum or iridium, well the only difference between them is their longevity. They don't give more HP or anything

Copper is the cheapest but they also have the shortest lifespan. They must be replaced at about 30k miles intervals
Platinum have a longer lifespan, needing to be replaced at about 100k miles
Iridium are the most expensive of the bunch, but they can last for 120k+ miles

 

At that mileage I bet it is going to be interesting .

The wires being on that long might not want to come off figure on new wires as well

OP never did say which engine 4cylinder??

 

How can it not be worth it if you can't confirm the age or when they were last replaced?

 

Yeah Id change them. Just be prepared for those suckers to be tight. Like mega tight. I did some at 230k on a friends car, thought I was gonna break something. But it had to be done, twas throwing p300 codes.

 

I would change them. It is a little time consuming but not hard by any stretch. I changed mine in my 5vz-Fe for the first time at 232k and noticed a big difference in the engine “smoothness, idle, etc...”

 

Awesome, thanks so much for the help everyone! I will definitely be replacing the spark plugs soon. My shop says if I bring them in they charge a higher rate per hour for customer supplied parts and to change 6 cylinders it would take an hour...I'm thinking I will just do it myself.

I will watch plenty of videos on YouTube on how to do it and pick up a torque wrench and some antiseize.

Planning one ordering 6 of one of these plugs:

 

I got a friend who is proud of never changing plugs on his Chevy 1500. 250k miles and still running. He's also an antivaxxer, so preventive maintenance isn't his thing.

 

haha that made me laugh

 

Thank you I will check the gap, still a lot to learn! Maybe I should change the fluid in the front and rear differential too. Looks like that's pretty easy and I need a torque wrench for that too. I think it has been 140k miles since it was last changed. The engine oil has been changed every 5k miles (synthetic). Couple more questions:

1) I will check with my friend about what the shop said about calibration and let everyone know. I think it had to do with the ignition coils but it was a while back...I will find out. I assume it's like any other car part and I can just buy a new set of spark plug wires from most auto parts stores that fit my vehicle?

2) What else should I be doing for maintenance? Water pump and timing belt was changed a while back. Any "easy" or critically important maintenance that I should do, not much if anything has been done besides engine oil changes in 140k.

3) Where can I find a quality torque wrench? I've never bought one before. Looks like I need 12-14 lbs for the spark plugs and ~29-35 lbs for the front and rear differential. For this range, is this two different torque wrenches or one?

 

Get plugs from the dealer. They are like 2$ each. Our trucks run better with standard dual ground like they came with from Toyota.

 

Thanks for the advice. Are they Iridium plugs?

 

I have a craftsman 250lb torque wrench (1/2" drive). I don't bother with a smaller one. I've only used it on a few things, like the crank pulley after doing my timing belt (217 ft lbs iirc), and ball joint bolts. For those two torques, 1 wrench can easily do both. Mine (the 250) could probably go down to 20ish, I know I've done ~50 for my balljoints.

Honestly, I don't think you need a torque wrench for the spark plugs. I've never seen a mechanic use one for that. Unless the plugs were seized when you took them off, just tighten them using the same force you used to get them off.

As for other critical maintenance, it's time to be looking at your suspension/steering; ball joints, bushings, tie rods. When you do the plugs, do the wires, too.

 

Get oem plugs.

You can also look into doing the oxygen sensors. Only use oem and they are pricey but they do make a difference as well. You can also clean the throttle body