New tundra and tacoma sparkplug interval.
- Thread starter easym
- Start date
For the 3.4, the compression ratio is 10.4:1, I believe. Add in the forced induction (turbo), and that can be a fairly harsh environment even for iridium plugs. Toyota is probably playing it on the safe side with this recommendation; just my guess.
EJ255 in Subaru's are every 60k. So it's not totally unbelievable.
Sheesh Toyota... on my old Corolla the plugs are specced for 120k and it takes 15 minutes on my 1.8L.
Are we going forwards or backwards here with the new vehicles? Either way we all can agree taking these things into high mileage is not going to be cheap as it used to be.
Are we going forwards or backwards here with the new vehicles? Either way we all can agree taking these things into high mileage is not going to be cheap as it used to be.
Replace them with ruthenium 
One thing that gets forgotten in the number of miles is the average rpm they were subjected to. My 6.0 in my 3/4 ton cruises long at 1800 rpm and accelerating to pass is over at 4500 rpm. The change interval is 100,000 miles. Higher revs and the cylinder pressure of a turbo causes more wear.
Propflux01
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My CX-5 is 40K, and also my 2025 KONA turbo is 50K
MK7 VW Golf here. Mine is every 4 years regardless of mileage (per manual). The maintenance schedule is based on 1 year = 10,000miles though so yeah, basically every 40,000miles.
2.4T does not appear to suffer from those issues...yet.
f355spider
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Just need to ensure it doesn't change the replacement interval. On my old Tundra, the change interval for the oem NGK platinum is 100k. I switched to NGK EIX premium iridium because they were supposed to be their premium product at the time, and less expensive than the oem plug. The NGK technical support guy told me they recommend changing them at 40k to 50k. I asked why, and he said they have a finer tip that wears a more quickly. He said the oem spec NGK platinums have a thicker center electrode for longer wear for oem applications and why they cost more to manufacture. Now NGK makes a specific oem spec iridium that is claimed to offer 120k mile life.Replace them with ruthenium
So switching to ruthenium, if it has a finer center electrode than the oem plug could mean a shorter replacement interval. Would need to check with NGK tech support.
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I think my 2GR-FE anticipates new plugs at 120k. I think that's about when I'll get around to pulling the upper intake to get to the rear bank.
Toyota calls for plugs in the 2GR-FKS/FXS/FSE/FXE every 60K, Subaru does the same. TGDI is harder on plugs.
I think:
- Too many variable to determine actual life of spark plugs
- Manufacturers have the engineering cranked up to level-11 in order to hit emissions and MPG targets
- With all the above at 11, the acceptable degredation of spark plug performance is not what it used to be
- Risk mitigation in terms of liability for degraded emissions in the future
- Bonus (Tin-foil hat
) Someone is pushing for more maintaince in order to increase profits from parts and services
Makes one wonder if the new emissions paradigm obviates ultra long life plugs?
