Tuneup? (2006 Prius)

how many miles on her?

you don't really do a tune up on a priusin the old common sense of the term.

follow the maintenance schedule. plugs every 120k, and they usually look like brand new.

to test coils, switch them around to see if the code changes cylinders.

only by oem parts and from a dealer. either in person or on line.

 

Order the DENSO 3324 (Sk16R11) spark plug at RockAuto. They're genuine Denso and only about $6 each. You do NOT need to remove the wiper cowl, etc to do plugs on a Gen 2. Just use the right ratchet and extensions with a magnetic plug socket. Out of about a dozen Gen 2's I've owned. I've never needed to replace a coil.

 

I wouldn't buy plugs or coils on Amazon or eBay for that matter; there are just too many counterfeit products on both platforms. Get the best price from a bricks-and-mortar store.

My plug socket is just a normal one too and I have had no problem changing plugs in a Prius with it. There is no problem with them as long as the rubber grommet still grips the plug well.

 

What socket size are gen 2 plugs, 5/8" (or 16mm)? 3rd gen is 9/16" (or 14mm).

Maybe because they're quite new, I find the rubber inserts on my spark plug socket set grab so well they're prone to pull off the extension, a dilemma. I've gotten cagey: wrap some masking tape at the joint between extension and socket.

Plug torque for second gen is 13 lb/ft, noted in the attachment. Presumably with clean/dry threads; if using anti-seize on the threads use it sparingly, and reduce torque, say to around 11.

 

Be very careful about auto electric parts from Amazon- they are awash in counterfeits.

I love Amazon to bits, spend a lot there but I don't buy their autoparts. Just too many problems.

Good plug sockets fit the plug. Great ones have a rubber cuff that grips the insulator to keep the plug in the socket as you extract the tool from the plug well, and they have a "dimpled" drive square that allows you to use locking extension bars- no chance of dropping anything into the plug well.