Find a Independent shop and get a relationship going with them so ya don't buy what ya don't need.

 

Well said !

 

Yep, that's probably the best advice. I have a local mechanic that has worked on our other cars that I can reach out to about getting this done to get an idea. I did't want to wait until the spring when the weather gets better to try this myself.

Is this standard that Toyota will only bundle services? And any issues with warranty if I get work done elsewhere,either DIY or an independent shop as long as I have records and receipts?

 

That is your dealer trying to squeeze all the pennies from you and not Toyota. I never go to a dealer unless warranty work.

 

Not sure where in the NE you are, I'm in CT. I have a garage and know the process, you buy the parts (plugs and gaskets) and a couple cases of Kona Big Waves and consider it done.

 

I was going to offer my garage but I am in the mid-west and I would want a pizza too. It is tough to work on an empty stomach 🙂.

 

Is it safe to assume you have a 2017 and up that is why you need to do it at 60k miles?

 

Yes, I have a 2019. Funnily enough the dealer insists this isn't due. Can't figure out why yet

 

Irridium spark plugs can last for 120,000 miles. We had ours replaced in our 2010 Corolla with the 120,000 mile service. The old plugs looked very good. Unless you're experiencing misfire, try to wait until spring if you're afraid the plugs will crap out on you. Back in the 60's and 70's I used to clean and re-gap my conventional spark plugs every 30,000 miles as long as none were fouled or otherwise damaged. I replaced the plugs in my 1998 Corolla back in 2005 at about 40,000 miles. Now at 150,000 miles, they look worn, but funtion just fine. They're platinum tip plugs.

 

NOT in the Highlander. Due to emissions, the factory calls for replacement @ 60K for the 17-up HLs.

 

Due to emissions, the factory calls for replacement @ 60K for the 17-up HLs.

It's because of direct injection. Tends to foul the plugs sooner.

...another reason i won't have a Highlander. If I need to ride in a BIG vehicle, I'll take a bus.

Can you take a bus hauling your camper on vacation?

 

It's because of direct injection. Tends to foul the plugs sooner.



Can you take a bus hauling your camper on vacation?

Cabins and motels still exist, and I don't have to .

 

if you are at 65K... just wait until the spring and do them. its not a hard job, jusyt slightly involved

 

Can someone explain to me why would the emissions warranty be voided if you had low miles on your car but did not change them at 72 months?

So now spark plugs have an expiration date too

 

I destroyed my catalytic converters on my 2004 Highlander by not changing the plugs soon enough. Unburnt gas was going into the exhaust and putting a heavy load on the converters, which got overheated and damaged. I got a misfire OBD code and changed the plugs, but it was too late, I was also getting the OBD codes for bad catalytic converter performance.
I bought Magnaflow manifold/converters from O'Reillys Auto, and the car is now running better than ever.

 

I destroyed my catalytic converters on my 2004 Highlander by not changing the plugs soon enough. Unburnt gas was going into the exhaust and putting a heavy load on the converters, which got overheated and damaged.

This post highly motivates me to change my plugs prior to 60.00 K miles

 

I’d say it’s pretty standard to replace spark plugs around 60-70k miles, so it’s not surprising that the dealer sticks to a schedule. I’ve done plugs on a few of my cars, and honestly, it’s usually not too hard if the engine layout isn’t cramped. The main issue I’ve run into is bad weather when trying to do it outside. If you're comfortable with basic DIY stuff, you could go for it, just make sure you’ve got the right tools and check the torque specs. If you can’t get a good weekend for it, a shop is always an easy backup.

 

What does your owner manual say, I know at one time they were doing 100K plugs

 

Just get the spark plugs, dif,transfer case and transmission service. Shop around at different Toyota dealers. You should be able to get what buy what you need. A lot of inspection on these services. Use OEM oils on Toyota's

 

My 2 cents, 3 with inflation... If it's passing emissions, let it go to spring, if not, that moves it up the to do list.

 

The problem with that is if the cat fails while still under warranty, can they deny coverage since the plugs were not changed on schedule?

 

I used different oil than Toyota, but made sure it met the spec called for. Plus I'm sticking to 5k change intervals since I can't imagine 10k really works. The transmission fluid and differential I'll have done at the dealer or pick up the OEM until I can find a local independent that focuses on Toyota.

 

Understood and I see a lot people using off brand oil and burning up transmissions

You have to go out of your way to find any off-brand oil. Not even Walmart sells the real cheap stuff. Their own oil brand is actually very good.

using cheap starters and off brand alternators

Most starters/alternators you find aftermarket are rebuilt. So basically taking an OEM starter or alternator and replacing the worn parts. The last vehicle I owned that I had to replace either a starter or alternator on was my 1984 GMC S-15 pickup. They don't break wear out like they use to. But if you do, stick with a good aftermarket parts supplier.

 

Until my more recent cars I swore by removing alternators/starters and bringing them to a local rebuilder. The problem now is they are getting almost impossible to remove easily, often requiring access from below and hours of work just to reach. It use to be an alternator came out easily with an open end wrench and a screwdriver in 15 minutes without even needing a shop manual. Those days are gone.

 

Those days are gone

But they are also so much more reliable that you may never have to remove one during the life of the vehicle.

 

I tend to keep my cars forever so I'd rather spend $150 on a couple easy to replace starter/alternators than one $500+ event. I just went thru this with my '06 CRV the starter was very difficult and expensive to replace, the intake manifold had to be $$removed$$.

I could replace my '99 Avalon and '83 Chevy K10 alternators with my teeth and a shop rag 😬

 

My son’s first car is a ‘96 Roadmaster with an LT motor. While we have had to do a lot of work on it including the starter and alternator, it’s a pleasure to work on compared to my Highlander. (That car didn’t get my approval for his first car by accident).

 

So I just went to the dealer to get oil changed and state inspection and asked again about the spark plugs and they again said it's due at 100k. My normal person seems to be out on extended leave and I ended up speaking to the same person as last time. Strange that they seem to keep say it's due at 100k.

 

Is yours a 2017 - up with the V6? If so, I guess your dealer does not care to make sure you are in line with the Federal Emissions warranty. It is 60K, regardless what they say. Tell them to RTFM.

 

Toyota says: if it's a 2019 with 2GR-FKS engine only, replace plugs @ 60K

 

Never heard of a dealership that didn't want to take your money.

 

Looking to pick up the parts and then have an independent shop do the work in the next couple of weeks hopefully. Would be the right plugs and gaskets required:

17177-0P030
22271-0P020
90919-01263


Thanks in advance.

 

I recommend you don't buy plugs from Amazon or ebay many are counterfeit. Rockauto is good or a dealership.

 

Yea, was planning on dealership. I think they quoted me $20 a plug before so not terrible. They said they don't normally change the gaskets for the job when the techs do it so head having a hard time finding the part number for the air plenum gasket.

 

Air Surge Tank (aka Plenum) To Int Manifold Gasket (#17176-31130)

 

I agree with your word "consensus" since it's not really obvious why these plugs have to be changed so often. This would explain why (to prevent seizing) some maintenance schedules include a time interval (usually 5 years) for replacement.

It has been mentioned time and time again (ahem, post #29), the reason the plugs need to be changed @ 60K is to maintain the emissions warranty.

To clarify, This part of my comment was about my 2008 Subaru Legacy. It has a similar issue with the manual reporting one milage interval and dealers seemingly claiming a number 2x as high (30k vs 60k). Ironically, This car DID have its Cats replaced under the federal emmissions warranty at around 60K.

It's a sad affair but I'd agree that it is a good idea to change at ~60K on the Highlander to maintain that emissions warranty. Based on how Toyota has handled other service issues reported on this site I would not be supprized to have a emissions related claim deined on this site if it was determined you didn't change your plugs like instructed in the manual despite the plugs themselves being designed for longer service lifes.

I'm at 65K and have a appt this week to have mine changed along with an overdue brake fluid flush. I normally like working on my cars, but from what I've read, I'm happy to pay someone for a spark plug change on this car.

 

Wanna have some fun and get 'the look'??

Tell the dealer you'll do the front three, they can do the back three.

Then let us all know their response......😂😂

 

Wanna have some fun and get 'the look'??

Tell the dealer you'll do the front three, they can do the back three.

Then let us all know their response......😂😂

Yea, I actually considered that since the front 3 are easy to get to. I got enough of a look when I declined the oil change, cabin and engine air filter replacement when I was in for the 60k service (the one at which the dealer insisted the plugs weren't due) since I had done them myself. I can only imagine how they'd look at me if I did the above.

 

Yea I definitely don't mind being under the hood. Pulled cams and replaced plenty in/around the car in my all my previous cars. First time having anything relatively new so maybe that's why I'm hesitant. But weather is finally getting nice out so might give it a go one of these weekends and post back.