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2003, when replace sparkplugs?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by gene4655, Sep 17, 2008.

  1. gene4655

    gene4655 Junior Member

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    My 2003 has performed great, not a lot of miles. Now has about 40,000. Do I need to replace sparkplugs? I confess I haven't gone into dealer for all the (expensive) maintenance visits. Regular oil changes, nothing else. What do you think?
     
    #1 gene4655, Sep 17, 2008
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Gene,

    The specified maintenance interval is 60K miles. There's no need to replace the iridium plugs sooner than that unless you have an engine misfire problem.

    Note that the very same iridium spark plugs are installed in 2G, which has a 120K mile service interval (or 150K miles in CA and other PZEV states.)
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Sep 17, 2008
  3. nitewolfgtr

    nitewolfgtr Junior Member

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    My '01 prius has 105000 miles on it and I just got my first sparkplugs replaced. Which means my original lasted me 105000.
    I only replaced it as a maintenance interval and not because I needed 'em.
     
    #3 nitewolfgtr, Oct 10, 2008
  4. mlibanio

    mlibanio Member

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    I bought Bosch Platinum +4 Fusions for my 2002 with noticeable improvements to Fuel Economy and definitely performance. It pulls pretty hard from mid range and helps with passing power. Plus the last about 100,000 miles so I am told!
     
    #4 mlibanio, Oct 25, 2008
  5. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    If you like 'em mlibanio there's not much I can say. But I would have thought that platinum plugs are a step down from iridium.
     
    #5 tochatihu, Oct 25, 2008
  6. nitewolfgtr

    nitewolfgtr Junior Member

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    I read reviews that Bosch plugs aren't very good. I would get OEM iridium plugs or NGK Iridium plugs. Why get platinum when its a step down from Iridium...
     
    #6 nitewolfgtr, Oct 27, 2008
  7. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Great!

    Now I'm starting to think of a plug with a small but strong alpha particle emitter core in the high voltage electrode. The alpha particles will leave an ionization track so when the high voltage is applied, it has multiple paths already mapped out:

    • pre-ionization paths - reduce the peak voltage needed
    • multiple paths - increase the spark spread to improve start of combustion
    Nothing like making a common consumer product radio active for special disposal requires ... like the old radium dials of another age.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #7 bwilson4web, Oct 27, 2008
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