Stock Iridium Spark Plugs

[bowtieguy]

the 2001 toyota corolla i just bought "requires" iridium plugs. my question is, would it really make an adverse difference using a cheaper plug.

i had a 2000 prizm and i dont remember what plugs were in it and if i bought them. i would have remembered buying iridiums, because of the price...i'm certain i didn't.

the plugs in the car now are iridiums, but they have some "lean" wear. since my lean condition has been corrected, i'm thinking of replacing them. thoughts?

[DRW]

If you want to buy new, you can get them cheap at SparkPlugs.com
Or you could gap them down a little to make up for the wear. Just make sure to gap them gently since the heat of combustion will weaken the ground strap, and make sure you don't gap them too much, then bend the gap back open again. Weakened ground straps can break off if their regapped too much.

[bowtieguy]

actually they can be had cheapest at advance auto with their coupon codes, and you dont have to pay for or wait for shipping.

[IndyFetch]

I don't think you can gap iridium plugs. The ones in my Civics were too thin and would break. You would have to buy new ones as they come pre-gapped.

The iridium tip is what gives the plugs their long life, probably 100,000 miles or so. A friend of mine at church just swapped out his originals at 183,000 miles.

[Ford Man]

I'd use the iridium if that's what's recommended by the manufacturer. I've heard of people using regular copper core plugs in cars that were designed for platinum, then they complain because of poor gas mileage.

[JanGeo]

They spark easier electrically speaking than standard plugs because of the higher e-field on the smaller point area of the center electrode thus they if ignite fuel better under lean and high pressure conditions. Money well spent!

[notorious_eg]

Iridium plugs aren't that much more if you consider the longer life they have.

I have also read to not gap them - they come with the gap set already.