I have a 2002 Corolla S with the VVTi engine. The owner's manual recommends using iridium plugs. I have always had pretty good luck with Autolite platinums and am considering using those instead. I don't mind changing them more often, since the plugs in this car are very easy to change anyway.
Any opinions or experience regarding what I will be giving up by using the $2 platinums vs. $14 iridiums? Is it just longevity, or will the fuel economy and/or performance suffer?
Autowhat??? never even heard of that brand. If you're gonna stray from the OEM (which is usually Denso) then go with NGK platinums, although Iridiums are recommended as OEM, I think the NGK platinums will perform better than some no-name crappy plugs but not as good as the Denso Iridiums.
Autowhat??? never even heard of that brand. If you're gonna stray from the OEM (which is usually Denso) then go with NGK platinums, although Iridiums are recommended as OEM, I think the NGK platinums will perform better than some no-name crappy plugs but not as good as the Denso Iridiums.
Not "no name" and not crappy, ....Auto-lite products have been around since 1911 in the USA...Its Ford owned along with Prestone and Fram..........A nice reliable product over the years...just my opinion...
~Radd
best bet is to go with what the manual says, remember, toyota isn't getting money from making you put expensive stuff in ur car, so it's in your best interest to do what they say. i'm not saying you need to use the expensive stuff, but it'll most likely run better using what they say to use.
denso's and bosch (originals) seem to work good , the bosch 2s were ok, NGK's and bosch 4's i didn't like at all the bosch 4's i think shroud the spark and hurt it a bit. i have never run POS plugs its not worth the hastle to me its worth the extra $4
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Ah when she was in her glory, Not so nice anymore 358k 17years old her time is getting short ....
You shouldn't have any issues using a quality platinum plug instead of the iridium as long as you stay in the same heat range. You will most likely just need to change plugs more often. If you wanted to change plugs every 10 to 15k miles you could even use a good quality copper plug.
Please be sure to use anti-seize on the plugs if you plan on doing the 100k plug change. Without it you are likely to get a seized plug and have it break off while trying to remove it.
FWIW the iridium plugs last longer due to the metal hardness and are really just there to give the "doesn't need a tuneup for 100k miles" factor.
Thanks for the replies. I'm gonna try the Autolite platinums. I can get them at Wal Mart for $2 each. If I don't get good results, I'll fork out the dough for the iridiums.
Please be sure to use anti-seize on the plugs if you plan on doing the 100k plug change. Without it you are likely to get a seized plug and have it break off while trying to remove it.
There are a lot of pros & Cons about using anti-siege on spark plugs...Some manufacturers say its ok others say not to because their plugs come with a special coating for easy removal....But all recommend if using to be sure to not over tighten, make sure its a high-temp type and don't get any near the electrodes....On the other side I had a friend that used anti-seize and didn't torque the plugs tight enough and the engine vibrations over time wiggled one loose and it blew the plug right out and after checking a couple other plugs were also loose and in time would have blown out, not a good thing to happen going 75mph on the highway . My mechanic says to never use on it plugs and if your worried about them freezing, just loosen and re-tighten the plugs every so often and never ever use wet lubricants like WD-40!..........Good luck..
~Radd
When would you recommend changing the original spark plugs? I have ~65,000 miles on my 2004. Do you think I need to change them? I'm about to go on a very long trip. I'm putting in a new air filter (I'm on the original), serpentine belt (on the original), and changing the oil & oil filter. I'm thinking about putting in a new fuel filter too.
What do you guys recommend? Thanks for helping a chick out.
- Amber
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2004 Corolla LE - 5 speed, leather, sunroof, spoiler, fog lights, alloy wheels 600 Mile Club - Founding Member
I've used Autolites for years and never had a problem with a spark plug. The plugs have an anti seize coating on the threads already. If you remove one, don't reinstall it unless you put more anti seize on the threads.
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. My mechanic says to never use on it plugs and if your worried about them freezing, just loosen and re-tighten the plugs every so often and never ever use wet lubricants like WD-40!..........Good luck..
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