How often to replace spark plugs?

[MrChad]

My wife has a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe with 39,000 miles on it. I am having some warranty work done on it at the dealer, and they keep pushing me to have the spark plugs replaced. The spark plugs are replaced as part of their "all-inclusive" 30,000 mile service. I declined to purchase the 30,000 mile service package last year, and instead just opted for the services recommended in the owners manual.

Anyway, the manual recommends replacing spark plugs every 60,000 miles, but the service department is insisting that I'd be safer replacing them every 30,000-40,000 miles to avoid unnecessary engine problems. The price is steep ($350 for the plugs parts and labor, plus $150 for an induction service). I have read that the plugs are a pain to get to on the 3.3L engine, and hence the labor costs are higher. Any thoughts?

 

[lurk3r]

$350 plugs better last more than 30k miles, sounds shady. My altima has 100k mile plugs in it, and they sure as hell don't cost $65 each.

Even on my '96 Avenger, which required removing the intake plenum plugs were only around $150 to change, and lasted over 60k miles.

 

[Atty]

I'm fairly certain the spark plugs on my car have never been changed...especially in the last 40k miles I've had it for. D:

 

[desy]

My Versa plugs are rated for 100k miles before the first tuneup
I'd pass and get it done at a private shop, sounds like dealer BS

Just had a coworker take their car in and after less than 10k miles they recommended a wheel alignment even though there were no issues w driving, this was while it was in for its $5 oil change.

 

[Vette73]

If the manual says 60k then wait until 60k or until there is a issue.

 

[aleckz]

My Versa plugs are rated for 100k miles before the first tuneup
I'd pass and get it done at a private shop, sounds like dealer BS

Just had a coworker take their car in and after less than 10k miles they recommended a wheel alignment even though there were no issues w driving, this was while it was in for its $5 oil change.

The Versa's plugs are a bit more complicated. You have to take off the intake and drain the coolant to properly do them. I have the SM and it just sounds like a hassle, but with step by step it shouldn't be too bad. Either way, stealerships going to cost more than anything to replace spark plugs, I think they charge $35 per spark plug or something ridiculous.

 

[Zap]

Anyway, the manual recommends replacing spark plugs every 60,000 miles

There's your answer.

It's similar to changing the oil. The service department will "highly recommend" 3000 mile changes, but your manual will likely recommend a longer interval. Service departments use this FUD to make more money.

 

[sdifox]

you got a 4 cylinder?

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_are_spark_plugs_in_a_Hyundai_Santa_Fe_4_cylinder

 

[BW86]

I replace my plugs every other oil change. My friend works at an auto parts store so I get them for less than $1 each.

BKR6E

 

[jlee]

I replace my plugs every other oil change. My friend works at an auto parts store so I get them for less than $1 each.

BKR6E

So do I (BK7RE), but I highly doubt he's running copper plugs. I will run into noticeable 'weird' issues if I don't change mine often enough. I might ditch copper and go for something a bit longer-lasting next time around.

 

[fbrdphreak]

If the manual says 60k then wait until 60k or until there is a issue.

Right. Look in your owner's manual and go by that schedule. 60K sounds about right for most cars these days. [/thread]

 

[PricklyPete]

Go by what the manual says.

$350 seems ridiculously expensive...although it is possible that your engine packaging requires a lot of labor to remove parts to get to the spark plugs. cheap spark plugs can be had for dollars, expensive ones at most will cost you $15 a piece. I'm assuming this engine has coilpacks, so there shouldn't even be spark plug wires that need to be replaced. So assuming a $10 a spark plug cost, you're looking at paying $290 in labor for this change. That sounds ridiculous and something I'd expect from a German stealership...not the value based stealership.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I replace my plugs every other oil change. My friend works at an auto parts store so I get them for less than $1 each.

BKR6E

Good God. I'd have to have a vehicle with a great engine layout (for maintenance) and lots of room to work to even consider that, price aside. ESPECIALLY A TRANSVERSE-MOUNTED ENGINE. :thumbsdown:

Even the Mustang, which has a football field's worth of empty space in the engine bay compared to most modern cars, is enough of a hassle that I wouldn't change plugs every 6-20k miles (depending on your oil change interval). IIRC at least one of the plugs can be a pain to get a socket on because of the tri-y's (or maybe that was the stock exhaust manifolds? I've only done plugs once on it...).

 

[PricklyPete]

Good God. I'd have to have a vehicle with a great engine layout (for maintenance) and lots of room to work to even consider that, price aside. ESPECIALLY A TRANSVERSE-MOUNTED ENGINE. :thumbsdown:

Even the Mustang, which has a football field's worth of empty space in the engine bay compared to most modern cars, is enough of a hassle that I wouldn't change plugs every 6-20k miles (depending on your oil change interval). IIRC at least one of the plugs can be a pain to get a socket on because of the tri-y's (or maybe that was the stock exhaust manifolds? I've only done plugs once on it...).

One of my ex-girlfriends had a Mazda 626...took like 10 minutes max...I'd be able to do it even quicker if I tried. My wife's old Civic was the same way.

My Mazda Millenia S on the other hand was a 6 hour job with everything I had to remove. I loathed the maintenance on that beast as the packaging was setup to be worked on by midgets with long fingers.

 

[jlee]

Good God. I'd have to have a vehicle with a great engine layout (for maintenance) and lots of room to work to even consider that, price aside. ESPECIALLY A TRANSVERSE-MOUNTED ENGINE. :thumbsdown:

Even the Mustang, which has a football field's worth of empty space in the engine bay compared to most modern cars, is enough of a hassle that I wouldn't change plugs every 6-20k miles (depending on your oil change interval). IIRC at least one of the plugs can be a pain to get a socket on because of the tri-y's (or maybe that was the stock exhaust manifolds? I've only done plugs once on it...).

Heh mine are all in a row on top, and I still am considering switching plugs just so I don't have to deal with it as often.

 

[T2urtle]

http://santafemods.com/Mods/SparkPlugReplacement.htm

this is plugs on a v6 2.7

3 fronts are very easy to do, like most FWD based engines you have to remove the intake manifold to get to the 3 rears. they are not a pain to do. About 10 bolts and a couple extras hoses. Sometimes people dont close it right causing a air leak. Overall 2 hour job per say. Least in my book. 2 hours x 100$ labor rate. About 5$ x 6 plat plugs. and maybe a set of plug wires $30 if they still use them.



copper plugs run about $2-3 a peice normally good for 30k

platinum plugs run about $5-7 and are good for 60k

iridam or double tip plats and all that new fancy plugs are $10-12 and 100k.



most companies claim lifetime plugs or least 100k miles. Acura, infiniti and hondas does claims this on most newer cars.

Given your engine, its not 100% easy and fast to do as a 4 banger would, i would opt for to plat plugs since it will be cheaper in terms of labor not having to do it twice. I would also wait to 60k. Induction service is NEVER a factory recommendation, you will never see it in a OEM manual. It is a dealership mark-up/ UP-SELL. As to if it works or doesn't work its all on people. I've ran my car when i was at a dealership pretty much monthly on the BG induction service and BG 44k. i got 1 MPG higher then i normally would. 3 years later a injector clogged on me. I dont know if the injector would of clogged if i kept using the BG service but I dont think its worth it. fun a can of fuel injector cleaner for $10 in your gas tank if you want to FEEL like you did something.

I dont think you should get this service done at the dealership, unless you need warranty proof. Plugs should be $40 and you should be able to pay ANY shop 1- 1.5 to do it @ $100 a hour. So ideally walk out spending only $200 for new platinum plugs.

 

[MrChad]

Thanks for the advice guys. Pretty much confirms what I suspected.

 

[thescreensavers]

If the manual says 60k then wait until 60k or until there is a issue.

This Follow your owners manual 100% Look for required things to do at what mileage. Dont listen to dealers ever. they just want to make money off you.


most cars now come with a "Service Maintenance guide" you need to follow the requirements for your warranty to be valid.

 

[yh125d]

If you drive a 1978 cutlass supreme like I did in high school, about every 4k miles

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Do it at a private shop. Changing the plugs in my 98 Cavvy after 35,000 over 3 years made a nice difference.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Both my vehicles (Tahoe and Suburban) have well over 100k on the original plugs. Still run great, still get the same gas mileage they always got. I'm not replacing any until I get a miss in the engine.

 

[MJinZ]

Iridium plugs = 100K

 

[ShawnD1]

If you drive a 1978 cutlass supreme like I did in high school, about every 4k miles

Bad fuel/air mixture?

 

[LTC8K6]

16 plugs every 30K for the hemi.

 

[sdifox]

16 plugs every 30K for the hemi.

copper plugs? I imagine it is relatively easy.