Spark Plugs at 111k

Thought I’d share a quick picture of my spark plugs since there seems to be some questions about replacement intervals. I’ve heard 30k, 60k, 120k.... Ran these until a hair over 111,170 miles, truck ran fine before and I can’t tell any difference after the change out.

 

All u mechanical wizards out there, what causes the electrode to pop off and stick to the strap? Good job op, I'll probably replace mine around 60-80k. Didju sneak the plugs out or pull the plenum?

 

Nothing was removed other than the air intake tube and air box lid.

 

I find it interesting some are slightly darker colored than others, where ya at Engineers?

 

Nice, so driver's side wasn't too bad?

 

It’s tight for sure, but not too bad. The write-up floating around is accurate.

 

111k miles on a 3yr old truck ....... wow !!!!!

 

its an electrode coating. probably platinum, or some such.. all spark plugs, caps and rotors start to degrade, and wear like this.. each ignition corrodes the electrode surfaces by the tiniest bit.. eventually it wears down... and they look like this....


notice the edges are rounded, and the electrode is rounded, and almost melted... just due to age, maybe slightly too hot.. but mostly due to age/use.

 

doesnt look terrible

 

And only on its first spark plug change. Keep going OP! Let us know if she ever fails ya!

 

about how long they last
iridium and platinum plugs are ~100,000 miles. slightly harder to spark but last long time. NGK officially says 50,000 Denso says up to 120,000 for twin tip iridium

copper are 30,000 they have better spark but wear much faster


and it is not so much wear, it is the increasing gap as they wear. platinum and iridium maintain gap distance far better

 

I ran a set on my 4Runner for some odd 175k. Not the best idea but just then started to have issues. Things last a lot longer now.

 

Thanks!

 

Eh, that's not too crazy... this on the other hand: 200k/yr, 548 miles every single day
https://www.automobilemag.com/news/million-mile-hyundai-elantra/

Oh, nice plugs OP!

 

60K is the recommended change interval for our trucks, those dont look bad for almost double.

 

I tend to wonder.

 

it still runs like new. Only issue I had was the trans started surging at 99k, flush and fill and it’s been perfect ever since... well as perfect as the 3rd gen transmissions can be. It’s a great truck, takes me almost anywhere I want to go and with almost no issues.

 

Good to hear. I know people have very strong opinions on this truck and it’s powertrain but the Toyota/Lexus 3.5 liters have been for the most part bomb proof for a very very long time now. It’s good to see these trucks starting to rack up some miles.

 

Who? People with the 2nd Gen troll ego or Smitty? The trucks fine.

 

Higher heat for extended periods. Nothing to worry about.