Spark Plug Replacement, 2018 TRD Off Road Premium

My 2018 TRD Off Road Premium is due for 80K maintenance and the dealership recommends replacing spark plugs. Toyota manual says replace plugs at 120K.

I do mostly highway, city driving. (However, when I need off road capability I need it, hence the TRD Off Road.) No dusty dirt roads, no towing.

Any benefit to replacing plugs now--i.e. engine performance, mpg? Not cheap and not something I want to try myself.

Planning to keep this 4Runner for years to come.

Appreciate answers based on your expertise/experience, esp. any mechanics among you.

Thanks.

 

Totally fine to change them at 120k.

I just did mine at 120k and they had normal wear.

I don't see any benefit to doing them at 80k.

 

About to do my plugs at 80k with an OEM pcv valve, clean throttle body and MAF sensor. I don’t disagree that’s early but I have OCD for maintenance. Plus it’s like $70 in parts. I’ll drain and fill the coolant as well.

 

If they’re iridium plugs, then 120k miles should be no problem.

 

Save yourself $300 and do it yourself. Plenty of YouTube videos out there to guide you. Get the factory Denso Iridiums. You can do it!

 

I just changed mine at 115k and I was impressed by the low amount of wear on them. After that experience I don't see the need of doing it any earlier than that.

 

For the most part, spark plugs do not degrade with calendar time. Spark plugs wear as the spark generated in each combustion cycle burns away a microscopic amount of electrode material, causing the gap to widen with use. Either go by mileage (120k)... or engine operating hours if you use your 4R for UberEats or taxi duty.

Make sure you/the shop has replacement manifold air injection valve gaskets on hand. The valves have to be removed to access two of the six plugs. The old gaskets, exposed to hot exhaust gases, may not survive removal.

 

Denso iridium power plus or TTs. 100k plugs.

 

Just dont let them change your oil, you might be alright? I'ld ask if they drug test?

 

I did mine @ 92k last fall. But my truck is 10 years old & I wanted it done sooner than later

 

I also have a 2018 with 83k miles. Just did the plugs yesterday along with the pcv valve. The valve was in great shape, but swapped it since the part is cheap. Start the job with disposable gloves and took off after my 10mm socket fell into the abyss. Shoved an old t shirt around the work area just in case.

 

2018 with over 100k. Meh, not even gonna look at em, until they give me a reason.

 

Why do people wait until failure to replace parts? Then you pay a parts premium. I ordered 6 denso plugs from rock auto at $6 a piece. Oreillys wants $12. Plus when you wait until failure then you’re in scramble mode if that’s your primary vehicle. Preventive maintenance is key

 

Can't fault those that wait. I am old school so it's the main reason I did it. Sure I could of waited but its one less thing to do in the future. I have to say the driver side plugs were annoying to do. The beauty of the 5th gen is it simplicity, not relying on the dealer to do the maintenance.