Do the spark plugs really need to be replaced at 60K miles on Gen 3?

I’m at 59,600 miles. My dealer wants $692 to replace plugs. I have done this on my old Gen 1, with no issues. I see all the U-Tubes demonstrating replacement and it looks like the driver side front plugs is the hardest. I plan on doing myself. Just wondering if going to 100 K miles is stupid. Thanks

 

Ideally yes, but you can get them changed cheaper at an independent shop or do them yourself if you are somewhat mechanically inclined.

 

Change mine at 100000 mil es. 2016 offroad

 

I’m inclined to go to 100K. Looks like the emission warranty is void if you don’t replace at 60k.

 

That is an insane price. That’s one thing I don’t like about modern vehicles, most design engineers have no appreciation for maintenance. Plugs should be easily accessible for replacement. Pretty sure my 2.7L older design has plugs easier to replace when it comes time. I would do it myself in any case.

 

I found an independent shop who quoted $430. I’ll do it myself before I spend that much. After watching U-tubes looks like taking lots of pictures and being careful with the electrical connectors is an area to focus on.

 

I'd take an hour and pull a couple that are easiest to get to. If they look toasted, might wanna replace them. If they look okay, keep on keepin on.

 

I'm at 58k miles. I'm already gathering materials for plugs, differential, transmission, and brake fluid. It will be a busy weekend when it rolls the big 60.

For such an important asset that ties up a significant part of my financials, why not follow the little book that sits in the glovebox? You do what makes you comfortable though.

 

I guy i know just had the plugs replaced on his gen2 tacoma at midas plus he had some other stuff done, claimed they were about 1/2 what the toyota dealer gave him for an estimate.

 

I changed mine at 120k. Now at 151k. Looked fine tbh but many have found a loose one early on as well. It's always worth checking and unless you are disabled, it's not worth paying a shop or a dealer.

 

I have a friend who swears he never changed the plugs on his Chevy 1500, it’s past 250,000 miles. YMMV. Obviously he’s not into preventive maintenance.

 

Changed mine a little over at 60,000 miles but I had a good deal for Iridium from Pep boys at $350 plus tax. This was a year ago.

 

I think the hardest thing for me would be trusting a shop to replace them with iridium instead of copper.

Replaced original plugs on an '08 CRV with a little over 200k on it, for a friend of my wife last year. Very believable.

 

I can't remember the last time I replaced spark plugs in any of my vehicles. My Tundra had 145000 on it and still had the original plugs and ran fine. As long as there are no other problems with the engine, spark plugs last much longer now that we don't have leaded gasoline.

 

If you live in a region with road salt, better to do it earlier than later. I had to pull the plugs on a high-mile 2nd gen on the trail once. The ignition coil bolts were swollen from rust, that I had to hammer the 10mm socket on. The plugs also made awful grinding sounds when being loosened.

The plugs are pricey as you probably found out by now. I'd say $120 out of the $430 shop quote was for parts.

 

another here for replacing at 60. take your time, torque plugs to spec and you will be fine. if you pay someone to do it ask for your old plugs back.

 

i dont think they just gonna put copper plugs in there. i work at a parts store and for japanese vehicles, they go from platinum and up. also you can ask the shop for the part number or to see the box before they replace it.

 

Bought a new set at 60K and decided there was no need to change them that early, as the truck ran fine. Currently at 108K on original plugs and it still runs fine (probably slightly degraded, but the change is so gradual as to not be noticeable). I will change them in the spring when the weather warms up, probably will be around 112K by then. Will be curious to see if there is any appreciable difference in how the truck runs on new plugs. My guess is there will be none.

 

I was wondering the same thing. My Tacoma was just in for the 96k km maintenance. That's close enough to a 60k mile maintenance. I asked about changing the spark plugs. The service guy looked at me like I was out of my mind. He said your truck has iridium plugs. They don't need to be changed until the 192k km service. Service guy next to him confirmed same thing. A tech walked by and confirmed. I then asked why the 96k km maintenance schedule lists changing the plugs as a recommended service? More blank stares. He said bad plugs would throw a code.

The denso website lists the lifespan of the OEM plugs as 80-100k miles. So I dunno.

 

Me, being susceptible to Fear Uncertainty and Doubt, decided to change my plugs out at 70K per the usual fear boys (5K OCI) cult that has embedded here at TW. Used the dealer provided plugs. Upon inspection, the old plugs were just fine. But, hell already paid for the damn new ones. Next change, I will resist the cult and wait until 100K.

To the OP, there is thread at TW here about changing your plugs: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-tacoma-spark-plug-replacement.554468/

I went by that and didn't have to remove a bracket on the driver side. Just make sure you have plenty of extensions and purchase that plug tool that is mentioned somewhere in there.