Stupid question-which spark plugs to use?

[Jason Koneman]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but where do I look to find out which brand spark plug to use? After watching some of Eric’s and other videos they suggest using the same brand spark plugs the manufacturer does when you change them.

How do I find that out without buying them at the dealership? I need to replace them in at least two cars now and in another 13000 miles I will in a third car as well. I’m leery of removing the spark plugs in the engines before I have the replacements in-case I damage them somehow.

I’ve spent almost $1100 in the last two weeks on one car at the mechanic and just dropped the other off for work at the dealership that’ll be another $500 so I’m trying to change the plugs myself and save a little money.

Specifically I am looking for plugs for:

2004 Toyota Camry LE 4 Cylinder
2011 Ford Fusion SE 4 Cylinder
and
2010 Mini Cooper S hatchback (R56)

Any help or a nudge in the right direction will be greatly appreciated.

Topic

[Jason Koneman]

[quote=”maxiitech” post=173274]The Maxima owners manual just says use double platinum but if you read the service manual it specifies NGK.

They are most likely referring to synthetic motor oil if they recommend every 15,000 miles. Why do you do it every 5000 then? are you afraid the seals will go bad?
Toyota recommends spark plugs every 120,000 miles and coolant an unbelievably longer length of time for the 2006 corolla.[/quote]

I change it more frequently because Mini’s Condition Based Service system is not very accurate for oil life. The computer will tell you to change it after 15000 miles automatically and it also has some sort of sensor that’s supposed to activate based on oil level and condition. The problem is that by the time the sensor activates a lot of people are already 2+ quarts low on oil. The Mini S and John Cooper Works are turbocharged and they tend to run hot and use a fair amount of oil, which Mini considers “normal” In 4000 miles I have had to add 1.5 quarts of oil to keep it at the full mark on the dipstick.

My next project, after I get back from vacation, is going to be to have an oil catch can installed and then have the engine decoked and I hope that will make it run a little better and at least burn less oil.

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