Topic: Spark Plugs – Changing Because of Age over KM

[RunsinLight]

GM recommends changing my spark plugs at 160,000 KM. Which seems like a long time to me. I would think by 100,000 KM spark plugs would be well worn.
Having said that most maintenance on my car gets done because of age not KM. Should I consider changing spark plugs at 5 Years 62,000?

[Gardiner Westbound]

Platinum spark plugs are claimed to last 160,000 kilometers. Replacement is unnecessary unless they’re misfiring.

Spark plugs left in place too long can seize, an expensive repair. Inspect the earliest of five years or 100,000 kilometers and apply a quality anti-seize compound to the threads.

[articsteve]

Don't touch the plugs.

You'll get rid of that car long before 160K km.

[maritime_storm]

Depends, what vehicle is it? By 48K kms the gap on the plugs in my ION were 0.020" over spec with GM's factory Platinium plugs. The 1.8L ECOTEC use conventional copper plugs and they're due at 40K, not all GM engines use platinium plugs.

[No H2O]

I replaced my first set of sprak plugs at 89K kilometers.

Although the electrodes were quite worn, there was no trend (increase) in gas consumption; I keep a fuel log.

I replace them earlier to make sure I can get them out. New ones get anti-seize as well.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

Mine are platinum tipped, I changed it last year along with plugs and wires just before 160,000km without issues.

[Trainman]

The Subaru service manual has us changing plugs every 48,000 kms, but using just regular ones, no fancy dancy rare metals   

Some have tried the better plugs, but with no apparent benefit except the extra profit to the plug manufacture.  Something to do with the Subaru boxer design that is tough on plugs.

To the OP, if its easy enough to do, ie cheap, why not?

[safristi]

..Good fer 160,000 Yanks .....................

[maritime_storm]

The owner's manual isn't always accurate either, Ford for instance hasn't bother to update the owners manual on the Ranger in about 10 years, the early 4.0L SOHC used platinium plugs, my '09 came from FOMOCO with copper plugs in it, Dad's '02 3.0L used  one side Platinium Plugs, 3 had the platinium on the center electrode on one bank and the opposite bank had them on the ground electrode, the replacement plugs are double platinium or coppers. His '10 2.3L uses double platinium plugs. The owners manual for all three trucks was identical on maintenance recommendation of 100K kms for plugs. Needless to say the plugs on my truck are due at 30K(this weekend project).