Do spark plugs get old? Do fuel injector cleaner expire?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Aloe, Jun 17, 2025.

  1. Aloe

    Aloe Junior Member

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    I asked ChatGPT and it's telling me spark plugs do get old, I should replace it if it's been 10 years even with my low milage car. 2006 Prius 58,000 KM. I bought it used 3years ago, it's in mint condition but I don't have records.

    Also I have a bottle of STP concentrated fuel injector cleaner that I bought in 2014 and ChatGPT is tell me not to risk using it. It is sealed and kept in a dark cool place. Should I use it?

    My car is running fine, although the exhaust is smelling rich to me. I'm thinking of cleaning the throttle body and MAF since I've done just about all the other easier stuff (both coolants, brake fluids, transmission fluid).
     
    #1 Aloe, Jun 17, 2025
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Hybrid cars use their engine less often than regular cars... So it's more like you have a bit under 40K miles on that engine. Spark plugs wear out they don't get "old." And I've pulled original plugs from Prius with 150K miles that hardly look worn. I suggest the main problem you're gonna have with your Prius is there's never going to be anything wrong with it, especially if you peridically put a trickle charge on both 12v and high voltage battery to keep them charged and balanced.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Jun 17, 2025
  3. Aloe

    Aloe Junior Member

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    I emailed STP and they tell me my injector cleaner has a two year shelf life.

    I looked up battery conditioning. There is the bulk conditioning which doesn't require separating the blades, and the one that does as each blade is reconditioned with an RC device. The individual blade conditioning will take a long time depending on how many channel chargers one has. Any other consideration as to which is the better method? And how often should this be done?
     
    #3 Aloe, Jun 27, 2025 at 10:38 PM
  4. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    No, fuel injector cleaner has no expiration date, unless it's uncapped and left to evaporate.

    I laugh when a bottle of rubbing alcohol has an expiration date.
     
    #4 Georgina Rudkus, Jun 27, 2025 at 11:45 PM
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