6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008) Discussion of the 6th generation Maxima. Come see what others are saying.

OEM spark plugs for 04 Max - when to replace?

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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 04:19 PM
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OEM spark plugs for 04 Max - when to replace?

someone from a mechanic shop told me the OEM plugs for the 6th gen maxies can go up to 100k mi without replacement. Is that possible? If not, when should OEM's be replaced?
Old Jan 16, 2006 | 04:39 PM
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call the dealership and ask, won't cost you a penny.

as far as sparkplugs go, oem plugs will last at least to 60k miles.
Old Jan 16, 2006 | 06:42 PM
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Wrong forum "kid".

http://forums.maxima.org/forumdisplay.php?f=66


Old Jan 18, 2006 | 08:14 AM
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I'm moving this to the 6th gen forum.
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by queenzkid
someone from a mechanic shop told me the OEM plugs for the 6th gen maxies can go up to 100k mi without replacement. Is that possible? If not, when should OEM's be replaced?
Did you read your manual??
Platinum plugs are rated for 100,000 miles. Some warn to chnage them by 60,000 miles. Depends who you ask, how often you want to pay for them, and what logic you agree with.
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 09:12 AM
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Look in your owners manual. It should give you the run down about when to change them.
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 12:31 PM
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Its important to have them removed and inspected. Leaving them in for the whole 100,000 miles will end up with them welded to the block. Removing them breaks up any oxidation at the threads and will allow you to remove them when the time comes to replace them.

Basically if they're out already you may as well cough up the extra money to pop new ones in. lol You'll likely get better mileage anyways so its not such a waste of money.

All this being said...I didn't see it in the manual...does anyone know where it states the inspection interval?

CM
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 12:38 PM
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Anyone who leaves spark plugs for 100k in any car is a moron. AFter 60k look at those plugs and anyone who knows anything about cars/plugs can tell they need changed. That 100k interval between plug changes is a marketing ploy.
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by greg hazlett
Anyone who leaves spark plugs for 100k in any car is a moron. AFter 60k look at those plugs and anyone who knows anything about cars/plugs can tell they need changed. That 100k interval between plug changes is a marketing ploy.
Ouch, that hurts.

I just recently changed the plugs for the first time in my wife's 2k Maxima, at 105k miles. The car pretty much ran the same before and after (i.e., just fine). The plats with 105k miles on them looked pretty normal, albeit with a larger gap. They came out of the block easily.
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 01:16 PM
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Originally Posted by greg hazlett
Anyone who leaves spark plugs for 100k in any car is a moron.
same has been said about those that leave sythetic oil in their engine for over 3000 miles

Smartest are those whom inspect parts periodically or atleast when getting close to recommended intervals.

Nothing wrong with being safe than sorry, but the same for saving $$ and not being over precautious.
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 01:44 PM
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True, but I would not follow the owners manual as gospel either, the people that care about their car will periodically check them and replace as neccessary.
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 02:09 PM
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The problem with checking your plugs is that its a hassle to get to the back 3 plugs. So far I don't know anyone who has a 100,000 miles on their car. I quess plugs are made better now than in the old days. Most likely I will be a moron. As long as my car is running good I won't be changing my plugs. I have 54,000 miles on my car and the engine is purring.

Warren
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 03:04 PM
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I am going to hear about my use of moron I see...
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 05:24 PM
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The recommended interval is 105k. If you can take them out and inspect them yourself I would inspect them. I can't understand why they would tell you this if they didn't believe they would last that long. Most cars nowadays recommend changing them around 100k. Things have changed a lot in cars with the electronics the days of distributor caps and rotors are gone. It would seem crazy that they would tell you to go 105k between changes that would mean the dealers can't get you in for this service as much thus losing money. As always with any recommended service there are alot of factors. Some have to change there oil more frequently because of driving habits. Some use gas that cause deposits on the plugs. In the manual it also lets you know that intervals change by driving habits. If you can change them yourself then do it when you want. The price that you would pay the dealer to change them is crazy. I would really be pissed if they change them and I didn't need them. Since when has a dealer turned down any money they could get. I doubt if they would call you and say they don't need to be changed.
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 05:42 PM
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Platinum plugs are supposed to last that long but any plat plug I have seen will get dirty/worn, etc over 50-60k miles. If you have the time and ability I would inspect them every 25k. The Iridium plugs are similar enough to a plat plug to me for mileage/wear etc.
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 08:42 PM
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As mentioned in previous posts in this thread, the replacement period for spark plugs is set by Nissan at 105,000 miles.

The interesting things for me were the fact that this applies to ALL Nissan vehicles, and the fact that, even under Nissan's PREMIUM (of three levels) maintenance and service program, there is NO inspection of spark plugs at ANY interval prior to automatic replacement at 105,000.

That tells me two things:
1 - Nissan feels very good about the service life of their spark plugs.
2 - If 105,000 is totally safe for all Nissans, the plugs would probably do okay for much longer under average driving conditions.

I will still pull one or two of the easiest-to-reach plugs around 60,000 for a quick glance. If they come out easily, look fine, and the gap is still very near specs, I go for 105,000. If a plug fails any of these three things, I get six new ones.

Nissan knows the dealers make much of their profit from the service department, and also wants their products to maintain excellent performance, so I would think they would to lean to the 'frequent' side on service recommendations. The plugs must actually be lasting 105,000 in most instances.

If I were doing mostly city driving, and especially if I were making lots of short trips in which the car does not totally heat up, I would consider changing plugs earlier than the Nissan recommendations.
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 10:00 PM
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the plugs dont have to be changed for a 105,000 miles under "normal driving conditions".
Old Jan 19, 2006 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by lightonthehill
As mentioned in previous posts in this thread, the replacement period for spark plugs is set by Nissan at 105,000 miles.

The interesting things for me were the fact that this applies to ALL Nissan vehicles, and the fact that, even under Nissan's PREMIUM (of three levels) maintenance and service program, there is NO inspection of spark plugs at ANY interval prior to automatic replacement at 105,000.

That tells me two things:
1 - Nissan feels very good about the service life of their spark plugs.
2 - If 105,000 is totally safe for all Nissans, the plugs would probably do okay for much longer under average driving conditions.

I will still pull one or two of the easiest-to-reach plugs around 60,000 for a quick glance. If they come out easily, look fine, and the gap is still very near specs, I go for 105,000. If a plug fails any of these three things, I get six new ones.

Nissan knows the dealers make much of their profit from the service department, and also wants their products to maintain excellent performance, so I would think they would to lean to the 'frequent' side on service recommendations. The plugs must actually be lasting 105,000 in most instances.

If I were doing mostly city driving, and especially if I were making lots of short trips in which the car does not totally heat up, I would consider changing plugs earlier than the Nissan recommendations.
That's the way I feel. They are making the dealer lose alot of money. The dealer wants to see your cars as much as possible They would want you to bring it in at 30k if they had it there way.
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by ramberg
The problem with checking your plugs is that its a hassle to get to the back 3 plugs. So far I don't know anyone who has a 100,000 miles on their car. I quess plugs are made better now than in the old days. Most likely I will be a moron. As long as my car is running good I won't be changing my plugs. I have 54,000 miles on my car and the engine is purring.

Warren
Warren arent you spraying?... i would have went with a colder plug just to be on the safe side.02
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by MAXDOUT04
Warren arent you spraying?... i would have went with a colder plug just to be on the safe side.02
I haven't sprayed yet. Was in Florida to try it out but myuncle passed away while I was there. I will have to wait till spring time now.

Warren
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 06:23 PM
  #21  
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you wont really be able to tell the diff if you leave them in up to 100k...its not a motorcycle...and the manual says 100k. it wont make a bit of diff to leave them in..and they wont look much diff than new ones..unless your fuel system is screwed up and is running lean or rich.
Old Jan 31, 2006 | 06:18 PM
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My mechanic I spoke to says that these OEM plugs are double platinum or triple platinum or something equivalent to be greater than any aftermarket plugs. Meaning, these OEM plugs are built to last that long, so you don't have to change them before 105k mi.

As far as changing them to be on the safe side, did anyone check the price of these things? Aren't they around $20 a pop? These (OEM) are not cheap plugs. For 6 plugs, that's $120. I would not change them just for the heck of a maintenance tune up. I'm with the others, I will ride it out for the 100 grand. I guess it doesn't hurt to check 1 plug at some point before that.

I'll wait to hear back from someone that changes them at 60k. Honest feedback, please.
Old Jan 31, 2006 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by queenzkid
Aren't they around $20 a pop?
No .
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