I've searched for "spark" in the 3rd gen Hybrid forum and come up with zero hits so here's my questions:

The Hybrid uses platinum platinum plugs with a life of 60K. I pushing 59K now on our '18.
I've always replaced my own plugs but it seems like the rear three require the intake to be removed and is a royal PITA.

1. Has anyone found a DIY for plugs on the 3rd Gen Hybrid? (I've only found ones for the regular Highlander; different engine)
2. Has anyone replaced the Platinum plugs with Iridium ones to get the service interval to 100K? If so, which plugs?
3. What have you paid for the dealer to perform the spark plug job? (I get wildly varying quotes from $525 to $750 from different dealers).

Thanks!

 

Just do it yourself, hardest part is taking off the wipers and reinstalling them, so if you can remove and reinstall the wipers you'll have no problem changing your spark plugs.

I changed mine at 50k miles and the old ones looked really good and likely had at least 50% life still left on them. If you are paying someone, waiting until 75-100k miles makes more sense in my opinion.

The spark plugs are DENSO FK20HBR8 3491 and they even sell them at Autozone if you are too far from a dealer. You can get it done for under 100$.

 

I don't know where the platinum spark plugs come from but the Highlander Hybrid already uses iridium spark plugs. If anything, changing the spark plugs is gonna be very similar to the gasoline version since the engines will virtually be the same since they are both 2GR's.

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM0E032U/pdf/OM0E032U.pdf

 

The parts list calls for Platinum plugs in my '18 Limited Platinum and the maintenance schedule confirms this; they are platinum and not the iridium. All the vids on the non-hybrids do not have an intake covering the three rear plugs.


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I'm not seeing platinum spark plugs anywhere. I only see DENSO FK20HBR8 in the owners manual.

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/T-MMS-18HighlanderHV/pdf/T-MMS-18HighlanderHV.pdf

 

Check out page 45 for the Maintenance manual that is provided for my VIN (I'd paste the link except it's the same as yours):

 

Also, here's the plugs for this VIN from the Toyota site:

So, it appears Toyota made a running change at some point and cheaped out with Platinum plugs...

 

Those are iridium, the tips are likely platinum but its center electrode tip material is gonna be iridium. If I remember correctly, even the newer Highlander utilizes a 60,000 spark plug replacement.

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Link to Toyota(Lexus) OEM manual removed.

 

Interesting.
I could swear, it always was iridium tipped.
Oh well, it is what it is.
My NX200t required plugs change at 35 000 miles. I see new trend ...
Either way, OP, you'll have to hassle with rear plugs. You either pay dealer over $500 to do the job or find a creative mechanic that will figure how to do it without cowl or plenum removal. I had a guy who did it in an hour for $200 plus my plugs.

 

And BTW.
No one says you CAN"T put iridiums in, right? And be happy for long time.
Otherwise:

Search results for query: spark plugs

www.toyotanation.com

 

Hello all. This was what I was able to find.

 

Yeah, no optional Platinum for the '17+ Hybrid.

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Hi Everyone!
New owner, first time posting. I have a 2018 Hybrid Highlander and the Maintenance Schedule includes replacing the spark plugs at 60k. When I called the dealership, they said with my car, with the new iridium spark plugs, they don't need to be replaced until 120k. The Maintenance Schedule states the replacement of the spark plugs is "Required Under Terms Of Emission Control Warranty." Has anyone else encountered this? I sure would like to save the money now and not have to replace, but don't want to void the warranty. Thanks.

 

1) Don't kick a sleeping dog.
2) Look in other hybrid forums, some are waiting to change their plugs until 150K to 200K. But if it makes you feel better, than go ahead and increase the economy as you see fit.
Just like a speed advisory sign on an Interstate exit....you can go 70mph...but if you flip over, you get a ticket.

As a mechanic, the first time someone asks______I give them my advice, but the second time (in a short period) I agree with them and do whatever they ask since they are going to go somewhere and have "it" done. Second time they are not really asking, but telling....
Iridium plugs last a long time...unlike the 60's with leaded gas and pedal to the metal. Fuel injector cleaner would probably help if you think that your mileage has slipped.
It's your money....and if you sleep better, so will I.

 

I also have a 2018 Hybrid with 68K miles and went through the exact scenario you are encountering. They are iridium plugs and the manual says 60K. Both dealers said they really don't change the plugs until 80->100K.
That, coupled with the astronomical cost to have them replace them (it is more labor intensive on the hybrid; the intake manifold needs to come off and I think the inverter coolant likes as well), I decided to wait until that time and have both the inverter coolant and plugs changed at the same interval. Dealers quoted $650->800 for the plugs alone.


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Before making any decisions, call dealer with manual in hand. Or, better off, drive there, to look them into eyes.
Stand in front of service person and ask them to repeat "120 000 miles" mantra. Then, read part where it says "required at 60K miles". If they still insist on 120K miles, ask simple question:
How is it influencing my vehicle warranty?
Though, power train will be out of it anyway, by 60 k miles, aye, mates?

 

USA Federal Emissions warranty is 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first.

 

Thank you everyone for your responses. My biggest concern is what will I be voiding from the warranty if I wait to change the plugs. Does anyone know what the Toyota Emission Control Warranty is and what happens if you change after 60k?

 

Please, call dealer and ask. Or, email Toyota.

 

Yes, for all my DIY projects, I call the dealer / parts department to get the correct part number / spec / price. That helps the search.

 

Ok. So I finally got a hold of Toyota Customer Service and after a couple long holds, they confirmed that the spark plugs need to be replaced at 60k in order for the Emissions Control Warranty to be kept. They were checking to see if it was "inspect" spark plugs and replace IF needed, which it is not. They gave me a case number to share with the dealership if there was any issue. Since in my area, there are no emissions tests, I guess I don't need to worry about this warranty and perhaps that is why none of the dealerships in my area are concerned about not replacing the plugs at 60k for the warranty since emissions control is never an issue here 🤷‍♂️

 

Ok. So I finally got a hold of Toyota Customer Service and after a couple long holds, they confirmed that the spark plugs need to be replaced at 60k in order for the Emissions Control Warranty to be kept. They were checking to see if it was "inspect" spark plugs and replace IF needed, which it is not. They gave me a case number to share with the dealership if there was any issue. Since in my area, there are no emissions tests, I guess I don't need to worry about this warranty and perhaps that is why none of the dealerships in my area are concerned about not replacing the plugs at 60k for the warranty since emissions control is never an issue here [emoji2369]

So, this is just a guarantee that properly maintained plugs will pass state emissions testing?
They don't test emissions here either anymore; I think they just attach an OBDII reader and pull the codes.

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If your 60K service work order was not notated with some language like "recommended spark plug replacement" or "customer refused spark plug replacement" then you are fine. If you ever have to claim warranty then you as a customer did everything that can be expected of you - you took your car in for the 60K service at a Toyota dealer and the dealer did not ask to change plugs.

The responsibility lies with the dealer unless they put in language to worm out of it.

 

I have a 2017 Highlander Hybrid @ 63k miles and I've seen a couple threads on whether they need to be changed or not and there doesn't seem to be a consensus other than they're probably fine but for emissions warranty purposes they should be done. We don't have emissions inspections so I don't think I'm concerned about that. The manual says replace at 60k. Two questions now that it's been a year since the previous posts on this topic and more people have probably hit the 60k mark:

1. Has anyone DIY'd this? Seems intensive and there aren't any walkthroughs I've found.
2. Are you or have you replaced yours at 60k or are you waiting?

Thanks!

 

Yes, When I first got my Highlander I changed these out right away. Seems like at 50k miles they look really good, I can post a picture of the old ones if you want to see what they will look like.

If your not going to do it yourself, seems like its worth it to wait until 75k-100k miles.

First, need to remove wipers, and then the wiper cowl, air intake after that, all the plugs are accessible and removing them is simple with the right spark plug socket.

 

Nobody?

 

Pluigs are good for 110 000 miles.

 

The manual says change them at 60k. I did see others postulating on waiting. Is that kinda the recommendation now? I care less about what the manual says at this point and just making sure I'm taking care of my purchase and getting every last mile I can out of it. Plan is to keep it until it dies.

 

I had 2012 HiHy and plugs were good for 100k.
When do I need one of these services?
Maintenance schedule for model year
2017
Conventional oil change
(Every)
10,000 miles
Drive shaft bolt (Torque)
(Every)
45,000 miles
Spark plugs (Replace)
(Every)
120,000 miles
Air filter (Replace)
(Every)
30,000 miles
Cabin air filter (Replace)
(Every)
30,000 miles
Coolant (Flush/replace)
(Every)
100,000 miles
Tire Rotation
(Every)
5,000 miles



I see 120000 miles for plugs?

 

This is from the PDF of the Warranty & Maintenance Guide. The footnote is "Maintenance services of spark plugs are required under the terms of the Emissions Control Warranty."

 

Well, you are the first to say so. Also, is it for hybrid or for conventional model?

 

Hybrid. I just went on the Toyota.com website to confirm and that also says change spark plugs @ 60K miles.

 

Check out the carcarenut or DIY 3MZ-FE '09 Highlander Hybrid Spark Plug...

 

Can you lower engine? Or, will a swivel socket adapter work? I had to use on our RX300 V6. As far as you can get hands there, swivel should do the job.