So a lot of us are using the Iridium Denso, NGK, Bosch. Then you have the Platinum and a lot of Ford guys are swearing by the Copper Core Autolites? Anyone using copper cores? I know, shoulda done a search. I'm learning. So, I put in Autolite Iridiums, drop in K&N, set the tires to 35psi. Been using Shell gas lately-$3.79!Had to pick up my in-laws from the airport.100 miles r/t. Fueled up before I left. So 4adults, 1 4yr old and 3 big suitcases on the way back. I kept my speed at 60-62mph and the whole trip cost me 1/8 of a tank. Maybe this is normal to you, but before said modifications and dropping my speed from 75 to 60-I would have been just above 1/2 tank! Hope this helps someone

I don't think there is a "best" plug, all things considered. Each person has there own philosophy, kinda like motor oil.

Personally, I drop in regular Denso's every 30k in all my metric cars and I have never been let down. They are cheap and I feel all fuzzy getting new plugs every now and then.

Platinums are OK because you can find them pretty cheap now.

Iridiums are out of the question for me personally because I cannot reconcile enough difference to justify the cost.

But that's just me. Your mileage may vary!

Jim

I use the NGK Iridiums, mostly because I had never changed a spark plug before and I wanted something to do on a Saturday morning. I can't tell the difference over the Denso's that came with it. The Denso's has almost 30k miles on it.

I run NGK copper exclusively. Since I put in new ones yearly, I have no need for iridium or platnium as they are for longevity only and do not increase horsepower or MPG regardless of what sooo many others want to believe.

I don't think there is a "best" plug, all things considered.
Jim

This may be so, but I have been told numerous times that Bosch are horrible in our motors.

i just ordered these yesterday

http://www.newscionparts.com/product/?id=1779

i should have them next week and installed next saturday

yeah, I've heard Bosch is horrible over all

i like my toyota plugs. make sure their gapped correctly or the car will run funny

I use NGK V Power plugs, and get this...gapped at .029, I got 535 miles out of a tank of gas using them. I'm still running the same set of plugs and just got 485 miles out of my latest tank...in 11 days my 06.5 xb will be 2 years old with approx 45,000 miles on it, those numbers dont lie.

Freeway miles on a manual correct? 485 is great. I can only get 230ish on a tank in the city

This may be so, but I have been told numerous times that Bosch are horrible in our motors.NGK or Denso for Japanese rides!

Use the Bosch for German and the Autolites and Champions for Domestics.

Rockauto.com has Autolite XP Iridiums for $4.31 plus theres a $1.50 rebate through Autolite. I'm seeing different gap settings on the post what should the gap be? I saw one at .29, .32 and .44?

iridium. I won't claim they do anything to increase power or gas mileage. But my xB does run smoother and reduced the hesitation it had when cold after I put in Denso iridium power plugs. I didn't believe it either until I tried them. Use what the plug manufacturer specifies for gap.

Gap might be Mfr. dependent.

.044 is the recommended gap for NGK Iridiums. Mine seem to run well, like stew32 stated you won't gain any HP but the box runs smoother and cleaner...more responsive.

Go to the Autolite site and dig around. There must be a chart somewhere that shows the correct gap for Autolites in an xB.

edited to correct spark plug gap spec! .44 or 7/16" is a no go!

yeah, didn't know if there is a factory, i.e. Toyota setting for this what they come gapped at basically, but I guess it is a spark plug manufacturer thing

Get the irridiums -11 pregapped at 0.044" and watch the decimal point there guys . . . a 0.44 gap is almost half an inch! The best price I found was on Amazon with free shipping so factor that in when you shop.

Here's my angle from what I've read and the results I've gotten...(535 miles out of 1 tank of gas, auto transmission):

I've read from a source that I trust that NGK's (the cheap ones) have the lowest resistance, which is what you look for in a spark plug...the same source recommended that the gap should be set to .029 to take advantage of the low resistance of the plug.

I'm not saying that using the NGK V Power plugs gapped at .029 will get you 46 MPG, I also used fuel additives and enhanced motor oil lubricants along with removing the "snorkle", but now I'm a big fan of the NGK V Power plug.

As far as modern day vehicles, you shouldn't see any significant power gains.

I'm sooooo tired of all these sparkplug threads. Does anyone ever do a search???? It's useless trying to recomend what plug is best because so many people have learned so much BS and recommend such bad things.
Right now, The Best Plug for seeing the most improvements in the way your xB will run and perform is the NGK Irridiums that come pre gapped at .044. They can be had on Ebay for around 30 bucks shipped. I was doubtfull till I tried them but they actually freakin worked. They corrected my rough idle and sluggish throttle response and the added 2-3 mpgs are welcomed too. From now on they are the only plugs my bB tribute will ever see.

I'm sooooo tired of all these sparkplug threads. Does anyone ever do a search???? It's useless trying to recomend what plug is best because so many people have learned so much BS and recommend such bad things.
Right now, The Best Plug for seeing the most improvements in the way your xB will run and perform is the NGK Irridiums that come pre gapped at .044. They can be had on Ebay for around 30 bucks shipped. I was doubtfull till I tried them but they actually freakin worked. They corrected my rough idle and sluggish throttle response and the added 2-3 mpgs are welcomed too. From now on they are the only plugs my bB tribute will ever see.


hmmm I am bored maybe I'll start another spark plug thread :ponder:



:rofl: :rofl:

You would too but I think I'll just ignore it. :P
My head is starting to hurt now.

Thank you for those of you who posted stuff about boring old Spark plugs. I know nothing about engines except i can change oil in one. Like always when it comes to my xB I only want to buy the best for it and always look to this site for suggestions. Even though some are "BORED", this car retarded fool here learned what kinda plugs to go out and buy from this thread. THANX GUYS!

Hey Jeff, one mans BS is another mans treasure. The next time you get 46 mpg do tell us about your spark plug BS.

Hey Jeff, one mans BS is another mans treasure. The next time you get 46 mpg do tell us about your spark plug BS.Atleast I don't post up bogus mpgs claiming they are from using lame old technology plugs.
Run your plugs all you want and quit trying to spead whatever you are spewing. It's getting mighty deep in here.
To many people are getting the same results that I did from my NGK Irridiums gapped at .044". Deal with it please? :P

... I got 535 miles out of a tank of gas using them. ...

It always scares me when folks talk first about Miles Per Tank, rather than Miles per GALLON.

Once upon a time, over 8 years ago, I was obsessed with "Miles PER TANK" and would run the tank VERY VERY LOW (can you saw "Fumes"?) to get the most accurate MPG calculation.

Well, that cost me a Fuel Pump ($$$) AND the LABOR ($$$) to install it when I limped into a service station in the middle of nowhere CT one day.

Here is what I learned:
- Fuel pumps are usually located in the Fuel Tank.
- The Fuel Pump uses the gasoline surrounding it in the tank to keep it cool.
- If you run your car below a certain level in the tank, you WILL burn out the Fuel Pump in a hurry.

Bottom Line:
* Don't run your fuel tank below the 1/4 reading.
* Calculate your fuel burn in MPG based on used fuel.
* Calculate the range of a tank based upon your actual MPG and the capacity of the Fuel Tank.

Hope this helps. :)

LOL LOL

BTW Denso Iridiums gapped at .044 for over 60,000 miles..no hp gains, no mpg gains, it just runs good and the plugs are very durable

so far the tourqu master plugs work great in the box just waiting for 2 more tanks of gas to see if they are worth the 12.50each but so far so good

LOL LOL

BTW Denso Iridiums gapped at .044 for over 60,000 miles..no hp gains, no mpg gains, it just runs good and the plugs are very durableShould have gotten NGKs :P

...and quit trying to spead whatever you are spewing.....

He who lives in glass house....... :P

LOL LOL

BTW Denso Iridiums gapped at .044 for over 60,000 miles..no hp gains, no mpg gains, it just runs good and the plugs are very durable

That is all iridiums do, last longer. You are 100% correct when you say plugs did NOT increase your HP, your MPG (unless they were in absolutly horrible condition to begin with).

Those who say otherwise are just trying to justify the extra money they spent on fancier plugs.

LOL LOL

BTW Denso Iridiums gapped at .044 for over 60,000 miles..no hp gains, no mpg gains, it just runs good and the plugs are very durable

That is all iridiums do, last longer. You are 100% correct when you say plugs did NOT increase your HP, your MPG (unless they were in absolutly horrible condition to begin with).

Those who say otherwise are just trying to justify the extra money they spent on fancier plugs.Mighty full of yourself on top of being WRONG aren't ya? DA

Mighty full of yourself on top of being WRONG aren't ya? DA

Should be real easy then to provide some independent testing data that shows increased MPG/HP on non-tuned engines using iridiums over standard copper plugs, right?

Read the forums on all the different sites Data on copper plugs would be awful had to come by because very few waste their money on em.

Read the forums on all the different sites Data on copper plugs would be awful had to come by because very few waste their money on em.

:rofl:

Remember, I asked for independent testing data, not anonymous opinions on other forums.

So, by your own admission, you have not seen any comparison of copper vs. iridium? But yet you swear they are better?

And how ironic is it that you are saying people who buy copper plugs "waste their money on them".



Ughhh.... (bites lip). I should have stayed out of this whole spark plug debate.....

Id like to dispel a spark plug myth and in the process, perhaps save some of you a few dollars. Expensive spark plugs do not increase your vehicles performance and power. Regular replacement does. This bears repeating:

Expensive spark plugs do not increase your vehicles performance and power.
Regular replacement does.

New plugs will only free up whatever power you lost due to running plugs too long. They do not and can not free up power that is not already there. While using a premium platinum plug will extend the service life of the plug, it will not in any way increase performance or power either, unless your plugs were holding you back for whatever reason to begin with.

The only realistic advantage of any premium plug is a decrease in gap erosion. Gap erosion occurs when the spark burns away small bits of the electrode and ground contact during combustion. Over time a properly gapped plug will slightly increase its gap but not generally enough to cause any problems if the plugs are replaced in accordance with the manufacturers suggested maintenance routine. So the extra dollars you pay for these kinds of plugs are truly wasted if you are a responsible vehicle owner who changes the plugs regularly like you should.

Keep your engine and your wallet happy by installing properly gapped, stock or quality replacement spark plugs at the required intervals.

Your choice of plug will depend on how often you want to replace them.

If any of you are REALLY interested in documented and independent testing data, and you have $14 to spare, go to the SAE site and order paper number 2006-01-0224, 'The Effect of Sparkplug Design on Initial Flame Kernel Development and Sparkplug Performance'

Read the forums on all the different sites Data on copper plugs would be awful had to come by because very few waste their money on em.

:rofl:

Remember, I asked for independent testing data, not anonymous opinions on other forums.

So, by your own admission, you have not seen any comparison of copper vs. iridium? But yet you swear they are better?

And how ironic is it that you are saying people who buy copper plugs "waste their money on them".



Ughhh.... (bites lip). I should have stayed out of this whole spark plug debate.....

Id like to dispel a spark plug myth and in the process, perhaps save some of you a few dollars. Expensive spark plugs do not increase your vehicles performance and power. Regular replacement does. This bears repeating:

Expensive spark plugs do not increase your vehicles performance and power.
Regular replacement does.

New plugs will only free up whatever power you lost due to running plugs too long. They do not and can not free up power that is not already there. While using a premium platinum plug will extend the service life of the plug, it will not in any way increase performance or power either, unless your plugs were holding you back for whatever reason to begin with.

The only realistic advantage of any premium plug is a decrease in gap erosion. Gap erosion occurs when the spark burns away small bits of the electrode and ground contact during combustion. Over time a properly gapped plug will slightly increase its gap but not generally enough to cause any problems if the plugs are replaced in accordance with the manufacturers suggested maintenance routine. So the extra dollars you pay for these kinds of plugs are truly wasted if you are a responsible vehicle owner who changes the plugs regularly like you should.

Keep your engine and your wallet happy by installing properly gapped, stock or quality replacement spark plugs at the required intervals.

Your choice of plug will depend on how often you want to replace them.
the last line is the only reason I run the iridiums

^^Kinda like dino vs synthetic oil. I for one do not miss getting under either the car or the hood. I would rather drive my box or be doing something other than car maintenance!

Pay more for parts, save time (or money) by less frequent servicing. Same labor for copper or Iridium plugs, but you will do it a lot more often with copper. Labor costs, parts are cheap. Iridiums last longer. No extra HP or MPG.

Not sure about you guys, but my time is worth a lot more than a set of $35 plugs!

My two Lincolns...

yep If I ran copper I would have to change them 2X per year

Arguing with someone like bB is a no win situation, he's right and everyone else is wrong...deal with it?

Arguing with someone like bB is a no win situation, he's right and everyone else is wrong...deal with it? :rofl: You are right for a change. :P I only argue stuff I know about and have proof of. If I'm not sure I admit it or stay silent. Why is this so hard to believe? :nails:

...I only argue stuff I know about and have proof of.....

:rofl:

Starting the day with a laugh is good for the soul....Thanks bB!

...I only argue stuff I know about and have proof of.....

:rofl:

Starting the day with a laugh is good for the soul....Thanks bB!I'm glad you find me funny. Good luck with that as long as it works for you. I've been helping people on here before you came along and will continue long after you are gone.

has anyone run into any problem's using the .44 gapped Iridiums? Someone suggested to me that running a bigger gap may cause hot spots and possibly burn up something....was it the cylinder? I can't remember what they said, just checking to see if that sounds familiar to anyone.

been running .44 for over 65,000 miles no problems

Yeah no problems here either. The wider gap gives a better spark for more complete combustion.
It's gotta be ok if it worked for the bB. :wink:

You should only be running the larger gap on the thin electrode type plugs - platium + irridum otherwise you may damage the coils on the plugs with excessive voltage which can lead to misfire and arc damage under heavy loads. Friend had a really bad running lawnmower that the lawnmower shop couldn't fix - turned out to be about an 1/8 inch gapped spark plug - thing started breaking down at idle but initially only at high rpm and when hot.

The switch to Denso iridium plugs at 39K has been the best indicator of a gas mileage.With the other performance add ons (ram intake and exhaust), I really didn't experience any improvement.

I had been averaging overall 30.3mpg, but with the plugs, the average over the past 4 tanks has been up to 31.7mpg.

How in the hell did you get this?!!!! How fast tou drive like 20MPH LOL!!!!

I use NGK V Power plugs, and get this...gapped at .029, I got 535 miles out of a tank of gas using them. I'm still running the same set of plugs and just got 485 miles out of my latest tank...in 11 days my 06.5 xb will be 2 years old with approx 45,000 miles on it, those numbers dont lie.

Why do people continue to spout miles per tank??? Who cares how close to empty you let it go. You are only killing your fuel pumps.
What matters is realworld MPGs over several fillups.

75,000 miles on the Denso's.. to repeat no mpg gain, no performance gain just durability.........

I have just put my second set of plugs in my car. The first set I chose the NGK V-power and I was very pleased with the way they ran. I got very good fuel economy and I drive allot so that is a big deal to me. I now work at a Toyota dealer so I was able to get a really good deal on the OE denso iridiums. I think the iridiums do help it idle much smoother and it is a little more responsive but my mpg's have deffinitely suffered. I gapped the NGK's a little wider so this weekend I am going to pull the denso's and open them up a bit and see what happens. I'll let everyone know what I come up with.

I'm wondering why people keep getting the Denzos instead of the NGKs. :tap:
The correct NGKs already come with the proper .044 gap. :lalala:

I'm wondering why people keep getting the Denzos instead of the NGKs. :tap:
The correct NGKs already come with the proper .044 gap. :lalala:
so do the Densos...and I like them

Wasn't aware the Denzos also came with the .044 gap. :doh: Thanks for sharing Bro. :bow:

never install a spark plug unless you gap it yourself

I ran my box for 55,000 miles before I changed out the stock plugs as I saw no degradation of power or mileage. Replaced stock plugs with Autolite Irridium gapped at .044", from an Ebay dealer in Canada for $21 including shipping (dealer wanted $67 to change). The car runs just fine and still averaging 35 mpg at 75 mph with the air on. 30 miles commute each way, 5 days a week.

If you run non plated plugs and they are not all gunked up or insulators cracked, you can refile the electrodes flat and regap and reinstall, costing NOTHING.

Replaced stock plugs with Autolite Irridium gapped at .044", from an Ebay dealer in Canada for $21 including shipping (dealer wanted $67 to change).For a little bit more coin you could have gotten NGKs. Not sure how Scions will work with a USDM plug. :tap:

never install a spark plug unless you gap it yourself
they are already gapped... I just check them....

never install a spark plug unless you gap it yourself
they are already gapped... I just check them....I guess you could check them just incase but with that cardboard tube protector thingy I doubt the gap could get altered from shipping.

Irridiums have really strong outer electrodes and are REALLY hard to adjust. It actually bend my gap adjusting tool trying to open up one to 0.044"

Just installed NGK BKR5EIX-11 with my Dad (he had the tools), and he checked the gap before we installed them. Only 1 was in spec, the rest were shorter than 0.044"

never install a spark plug unless you gap it yourself
they are already gapped... I just check them....

maybe I should have said
never install spark plugs without checking your gap first

thats what I meant when I said gap it yourself..check it make sure the gap is correct
pre gapped or not

Ye me! :clap: NGK V Power!

Just installed NGK BKR5EIX-11 with my Dad (he had the tools), and he checked the gap before we installed them. Only 1 was in spec, the rest were shorter than 0.044"
that is why we check them...... :clap:

Ye me! :clap: NGK V Power!If ya don't go Irridiums you might as well stick with stock replacements. :tap:

Ye me! :clap: NGK V Power!If ya don't go Irridiums you might as well stick with stock replacements. :tap:

Nothing wrong with stock replacements. I've never tried the Irridiums, nor have I tried the 44 gap. Now let me throw a wrench in your spokes, check out these NGK V Power plugs I'll be getting from BrightGreen.
http://www.brightgreen.us/products/jet_plugs/index.htm

I already use the NGK's obviously, I'll gap these "Jet Plugs" at whatever is spec, it will take some time to come up with any mileage numbers, but win or lose i'll post my results (for those that are interested).

that website looked hella fake...

that website looked hella fake...

The old fake website trick, LOL :rofl:

I will admit that the gentlemen who run that sight are in no way tech savvy, and if that's all you brought away from checking their website you prolly very happy with your current spark plugs...cool.

Well I finally installed the iridium plugs today and I must say it it took a while to get the last one indexed properly but I lucked out with a brass washer that only took some snipping and filing to get the 4th plug right. The other three were close enough by swapping them around to get them really close - within 1/6 of a turn to perfect - towards the exhaust valves. The original plugs were all over the place on index and the #1 plug was not very tight at all. Car started right up and seems to start quicker for the three times I started it afterwards. Mileage coming back from Tiverton into headwinds was a bit higher than usual . . . 53mpg . . . I usually only get that when I really try and coast a lot more than I did on this trip. The highway trip to Fall River with a tail wind got me 47mpg which was exceptional also. Power up a rather steep long hill at 35mph in 4th gear was seemingly less of a strain than usual . . . I usually have to drop it to 3rd to make it up.

Man those plugs are way deep in the head !!!

yeah, I've heard Bosch is horrible over allwhat, no way im runing the top of the line Bosch plugs, and i can vouch for them. big performance gain.

Ok, 4 pages of info yet I feel like u guys are talking in diff language :) I'm at 36k mileson stock spark plugs, so should I change them ? But I like to change things myself, dealers here charge an arm and a leg for small stuff, like $30 to change air filter :) Anyway, so lets say I wanna go with those so called NGK iridiums. but then u guys keep talking about "gapping" and some "0.44" and not doing "gapping" yourself if u don't know how. Someone care to elaborate what is all that fancy stuff and how do I learn it so I can do it myself. Also could I get part# for the NGK iridiums ?

36K?

yes change them
do it yourself...

Mileage coming back from Tiverton into headwinds was a bit higher than usual . . . 53mpg . . . I usually only get that when I really try and coast a lot more than I did on this trip. The highway trip to Fall River with a tail wind got me 47mpg which was exceptional also.



please explain to me how you calculate your gas mileage.

ok, so is this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-4-NGK-Iridium-IX-Spark-Plugs-BKR5EIX-11-5464_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem150306434788QQitemZ150306434788QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
what i need to get?

Mileage coming back from Tiverton into headwinds was a bit higher than usual . . . 53mpg . . . I usually only get that when I really try and coast a lot more than I did on this trip. The highway trip to Fall River with a tail wind got me 47mpg which was exceptional also.



please explain to me how you calculate your gas mileage.

Well check his gas savers link and you'll have an idea.

Scangauge II - adjusted for proper distance with a gps and fuel usage calibrated against the fillup amount at the pump when I fill it.

As far as the plugs go get the NGK BKR5EIX-11 from Amazon or whereever you can get them for a better price. You should also get a small amount of antiseize to put on the threads when you install them so you do not damage the heads.

Scangauge II - adjusted for proper distance with a gps and fuel usage calibrated against the fillup amount at the pump when I fill it.

ok so with an 06 xb having a 11.9 gallon tank and you claiming that you got 53mpg that means that you could squeeze 630 miles out of a tank? im thinking that even if you drove 20 mph downhill with a hurricane force tailwind that you would not get this mpg. sorry to bust anybodys bubble but even though xbs get great gas mileage its not like its a hybrid or something. next time just use your odometer and compare that against the amount the pump said you put in your car....i think you are multiplying a number in there somewhere with your fancy gps calculations.

Actually I have gone over 500 mile on about 11.2 gallons along with a couple of other guys one in Texas and one in Alaska. If I drive around 25 to 30 mph I get in the 50mpg range easily but only if I don't have to keep stopping for red lights etc. every mile or so.

Go get some Denso Iridium's for Prius Denso P/N SK16R11 OR Toyota P/N 90080-91184

Ok, 4 pages of info yet I feel like u guys are talking in diff language :) I'm at 36k mileson stock spark plugs, so should I change them ? But I like to change things myself, dealers here charge an arm and a leg for small stuff, like $30 to change air filter :) Anyway, so lets say I wanna go with those so called NGK iridiums. but then u guys keep talking about "gapping" and some "0.44" and not doing "gapping" yourself if u don't know how. Someone care to elaborate what is all that fancy stuff and how do I learn it so I can do it myself. Also could I get part# for the NGK iridiums ?

At 41k miles, mine were quite worn down. I installed NGK bkr5eix (I believe that was the right number) iridium plugs. After doing that, a seafoam treatment, then oil change, it is running like new again. Had minor valve noises before, now it's all quiet and smooth.