Spark Plug Question

I took my 2015 Tacoma in yesterday for the 25,000 service, my last free service at the dealership. As I am leaving the tech tells me that the next service at 30,000 spark plug replacement is recommended. He says Toyota still uses nickel plugs and they need to be replaced every 30,000 along with an injection cleaning. Roughly $199 for the plugs and 149 for the injection cleaning.

I thought I would come to the people who know and see if this sounds correct or get other recommendations.

I don't post a lot but I do read quite a bit here and you guys are most helpful.

Thanks

David

 

Chevron techron injector cleaner at any auto store for under 10 bucks is all I've used for the injectors. The plugs aren't that bad to change. You could do the whole job for probably $30 bucks, or buy the plugs and have a buddy or independent shop put them in. This dealer is pumping up the price.

 

Better deal than I was quoted - $300.00 for spark plugs alone.

 

That's insane.

 

The injector cleaning is an upsell for them and you don't need it. Modern gasoline has enough cleaners in it already and if you drive your truck on a regular basis all you should ever need to do is throw a bottle of Techron or Seafoam in the gas tank every 10k miles or so, if that.

 

Injectors do not need cleaning it is not the 70s.

Change your own plugs its not that hard if you plan ahead and research it.

Plugs are $2 each but you need to research what the 30k maint actually requires, its more than plugs and does not include injector cleaning. RTFM

 

You don't say what engine you have. Even the 6cyl. is not that hard. And I thought 60k was the new recommendation. And I would use whatever was in there stock (NGK or Denso in my case).
That price looks inflated. But I think $130/hr is insane (my dealer). They're probably charging you 1hr min. + parts (with dealer markup) + shop fee and whatever else they can think of.

 

Dealer mark ups are insane anywhere and everywhere, no matter the industry, auto, heavy equipment, RV, Boat ect....Example, I work for a well known Heavy Equipment Dealer, in Mass, I am a Field Service Technician and I'm on the road everyday...My dealer chargers, $165.00 per hour, and $2.00 a mile, minimum service call is 4 hrs, that does not include any parts used to repair the equipment, that's just time and labor, miles. So do the math, dealerships are making a killing...Sad that's what the world is coming to...it's all business...

 

Do it yourself.
Go to maintenance threads here on TW for more info.

 

Holy cow! You could buy the plugs, any tools you will need, and buy a registered Labrador Retriever to watch you do the work at that price.

 

Lol.....yea that tech/dealership is going to give you an "injection cleaning" alright and along with their so called "nickel plugs" (what bullshit!).

Bascially what they are telling you is to "bend-over" because they're going to give you an injection cleaning then plug you alright!

Don't fall for that crap!

Buy the spark plugs and install them yourself and as far as this so called injection cleaning, well I never have had to do that. My 08 runs great ever since I bought it brand new and drove it off the lot, have changed the spark plugs once a year (reguardless what the manual or anyone else says/recommends) and haven't had any problems-ever!

Bottom line is the choice is yours and yours alone.

 

heres some general information at the link below...this says 60,000 depending on driving..also depends if your fuel mileage is going down....typical newer vehicles should last to 100K...@30K I bet they wont even change them and then charge you for it...I did a tune up on my Nissan and it was over 100K and the plugs didnt look bad...but I changed them anyway...I noticed no fuel mileage decrease...I call BS on their 30K...if so they have inferior products...
http://partsblog.olathetoyota.com/4456/tacoma-maintenance-spark-plugs/

 

Any good independent shop can do warranty or maintenance work if you aren't a do it your selfer. It doesn't have to be done at the dealer. I just had my auto trans serviced at my respected shop for half the price the dealer in town wanted.

 

Thats true too....plus if you schedule it they can usually have you in and out of there a lot quicker than at the dealership....

 

Yep. They had it in and out in an hour and a half, and it shifts great.

 

Not you OP but it is mind bugling to see how the stealerships take advantages on women and the elderly drivers.

 

Toyota uses copper plugs in the 1GR-FE Engine and they should be changed every 30K Miles as per the schedule.

$199.00 for the plug replacement is retarded. As stated earlier you could purchase the tools and do it for less than 199. Way less. There is lots of how to's and assistance here if you need it.

As for the fuel injectors.... A complete rip off. I work in the fuel injector manufacturing business, Robert Bosch LLC. You should never have to do anything to the fuel injectors other than run a good quality gasoline and if it makes you feel better a bottle of Techron or Seafoam in the Gas Tank every 5 - 10 k miles. Crud doesn't get into the injectors as they are closed at the gas entry tube with a 1 micron filter. They are welded together and can not be disassembled for cleaning.

$149.00 for a bottle of crap squirted through the injectors is a waste of money. Do it yourself for less than 5$.

 

+1 Just did mine last weekend for around $25 took me about two hours, just taking my time making sure I was doing it correctly.

 

The 30K involves a lot more than just plugs, change of all gear oil, all filters plugs on the V6 etc. read your manual. There is nothing about "injector cleaning" but I suppose you could take them out and run them through the dishwasher. The plug change is all about emissions on the V6 and emission parts warranty.

 

Really?