BIGABQ

Hi All;

Being a proud 2014 Lexus 300h new owner, I was reviewing the maintenance schedule. I never saw a schedule of 120,000 miles for spark plug changes. Is this because of the Atkinson engine?
Just wanted to know.


BigAbq

2014 ES300h Red Premium Plus

atoyota

Not sure if that is because of Atkinson or not. Wait till you see how long your brakes actually last due to regenerative braking. I had nearly 70K on my camry hybrid before I insisted on brake pads and brake service just for the peace of mind. I had never had any car go that long without at least needing pads.The dealership insisted I didn't need it but they gave in when I said take my money.

bc6152

The scheduled change for the ES 350 with a V6 is the same - 120k. These cars run very clean using good, name brand fuel.

ALIGN

It's because they use Iridium plugs now. Which basically last longer compare to traditional platinum or whatever that last only 50k miles.

IS350atWOT

iTrader: (1)

I had to replace the spark plugs on my IS-F at 60K (per the maintenance schedule).

Arty101

My GS400 also has iridium plugs, and needed to be changed at 60K. I guess the newer engine design and fuel additives have increased the maintenance interval for the vehicles?

Nelexus88

Platinum/Iridium plugs last a long time in most cars. Ran the factory platinum plugs 140k miles on my 2000 Accord before finally changing them (40k over recommended change). It ran the same with new plugs and gas mileage never changed.
Main worry might be the plugs seizing in the aluminum head if they are not changed for several years.

SLH

It might be reasonable to re-seat those threads, occasionally. Some new thread-sealant or gasket might be needed, of course. But then, for the price of these plugs, there really isn't much sense in paying the labor to re-seat the things without replacing the parts.

I used to have a car that needed a full tune-up every 3000 miles, including new points and plugs. The same car needed a carburetor adjustment whenever I drove between my parents house (at sea-level) and college (at 3000 feet elevation).

There probably is an optimal replacement interval. I suspect it might be more than every 3,000 miles, and less than every 120,000 miles. But, that is one of the things we pay the engineers to figure out. So, lacking better knowledge, we probably should just take their advice.

bunka

We have a 2006 Highlander Hybrid and the serivce level on plugs is 130K miles. We are @ 123K now here some 8.2 years later so this internal has been this way for a while now (at least on the hybrid models). And that is a GOOD thing on the v6 that we have in the HiHy as I looked into doing the change myself and could not believe the PITA it was/is going to be when the time actually does come (we are looking at the New NX300h or ES300h as a replacement before then). I think the cost at the Toyota dealsership is something like $380 which might seem like a lot for $50 in parts costs but apparently, that's a deal...