Spark Plug Change? Do it...

The reason for the short plug change interval is to maintain an emission standard. The maintenance manual says 13 foot pounds for spark plug torque.

 

Autozone has them for $10 bucks also. Dealer here wants $18 each. Autozone offers free shipping.

Denso Iridium Spark Plug 3491 (autozone.com)

Denso / Iridium / Fk20hbr8 / 9091901263 / 3491

 

I'd be really surprised if there was any performance restoration from changing plugs. You might perceive a difference if you unplugged the battery for an extended amount of time as the computer resets.

The plugs can last much longer, but they are changed earlier to ensure the emissions equipment doesn't suffer and warranty on emissions stays intact.

I pulled mine at 60k and they looked fine. Used, but fine. They'd probably go 100k, but if they did start degrading at 90k, you might damage your emissions equipment and the truck might run poorly.

 

You got some wear on your electrode and ground straps. It should still run ok.

On the mpgs, I'd definitely confirm mileage over a few tanks.

See my previous post about emissions equipment.

 

Read my original post. Big improvement for me in a few ways. Including mpg. I have done a full tank and refill now, and went from 19.5mpg to 21.4mpg. Performance is better in all ways now. Throttle response especially on the highway is so much better. Idle is bang on now, and the truck is much quieter. Before it was pretty noisy on quick acceleration or under load up hills. Way quieter now.

I have yet in my life to change plugs and not notice an immediate improvement.

And no, I did not disconnect the battery. Have never done that for a plug change.

BTW, love that Woodrow Call image. Best western book ever, and amazing original TV series when it was on. Larry McMurty rules, but sadly he passed away some years ago. Pretty much read everything he ever wrote.

 

The only thing I notice on mine was the idle no longer jumps around when it is cold. Here it is still in the low 40's in the morning and when I let the truck warm up it was jump all around with the old plugs.

Like you I didn't disconnect the battery. One thing I might do this weekend is clean the MAP sensor.

But now reading others on this, i'll replace them around 60k now on. Knowing how much emissions equipment can cost and how much damage knocks will do to the motor, it's just better to spend the cash on the sparkplugs and slightly save on fuel millage.

I only use 87 octane gas here in NJ and I go to any fuel station that is near me when driving. After a few tanks of fuel I will report back.

Just a FYI this is a 2016 TDR sport access cab with a manual trans and the bed have no cover on it.