I bought some NGK laser platinum spark plugs from online for my 2006 Max. I am assuming that they come pre-gapped for .044, but I've read that I should check them anyway. How should the gap be checked? All I have is the old circular slider that was used for copper spark plugs. Will this damage the platinum tip?

 

a good feeler gauge will do. It's usually not thick enough for something like SG gaps, but if you do the math, figure out which ones you need to get to .044, just pull them out, and you can check with that...

 

They should be pre-gapped.
You may damage the plug if you try to change the factory setting on them.

 

DO NOT GAP PLATINUM PLUGS!!!