When do I change spark plugs?

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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 03:23 PM
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When do I change spark plugs?

I have a 06 TL. I didn't come with manuals, and I cant find on here when to change the spark plugs, or timingbelt/waterpump in km's.

Can someone help?

what are the best spark plugs to benefit better performance and especially fuel economy? I am not getting 12-14L per 100kms...
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 03:46 PM
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Factory recommended is somewhere around 102,000. I would do it before then. I did mine around 45,000 and cold idle quality improved.

Keep in mind iridiums are only for long life, not performance. They're good plugs but everyone will tell you to only use iridiums which is not correct. If you do like me and replace every 40,000 or so, you can run any regular plug and be fine. Replacing regular copper plugs every 40K is still cheaper than iridiums every 80-100K and you get an idea of what's going on inside the combustion chamber. If you don't like doing maintenance then definitely get the iridiums.

Just stay away from the gimmicks like multi-electrode and multi-spark gimmicks. Use only "regular" plugs.
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 03:49 PM
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Ok how many kilometers do I change the plugs at? miles dont mean anything to me lol.

As for the plugs, I just want good ones to increase my shit gas mileage, and performance, thats what I want lol.
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 03:52 PM
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NGK Platinums.

You can get them at your local parts store for $9.99.
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by davewhodavedunn
Ok how many kilometers do I change the plugs at? miles dont mean anything to me lol.

As for the plugs, I just want good ones to increase my shit gas mileage, and performance, thats what I want lol.
Unless there's a problem with the old plugs you're not going to see a mileage increase from any plug. If you're lucky you may see .5mpg from a plug replacement.
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 03:57 PM
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hmmm what could be causing my 12-14L per 100 kilometers when I drive like a granny and check my tire pressure all the time?

not to mention today I filled up and my range usually us 450km's based on the acura computer, today it was 376 and wouldnt change while I was driving for 5 mins?
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 03:57 PM
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I really need the REAL oem 2006 acura tl...anyone know a pdf place I can find it?
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 04:26 PM
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It's 105,000 miles.

Register here and then click on "model information". At the left side will be a link to view the 2006 owner's manual.

You can also order a hardcopy from helminc.com.

Do you have a remote start?
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 05:05 PM
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I have an autostarter/alarm yes, why?

again I have a canadian TL, So I need kilometers
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 05:15 PM
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Ive looked at the manual and it's doesnt even say what parts should be replaced when. Such as timing belt, spark plugs etc....
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 05:19 PM
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Timing belt should be replaced between 90,000-105,000 miles so for you between 144,000-241,000km.

Use this to convert miles to km.

http://www.convertunits.com/from/miles/to/km
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by davewhodavedunn
I have an autostarter/alarm yes, why?

again I have a canadian TL, So I need kilometers
Do you use your remote start? If so, there's your reason for reduced mileage. All of that idle time adds up.

100 Kilometers = 62 miles. Or go to google and type "105000 miles to kilometers".......168,981.12 kilometers
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by nfnsquared
Do you use your remote start? If so, there's your reason for reduced mileage. All of that idle time adds up.

100 Kilometers = 62 miles. Or go to google and type "105000 miles to kilometers".......168,981.12 kilometers
Very true. Idle time especially cold idle will run the MID down quicker than an easy 65mph freeway cruise.
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 08:50 PM
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I use my autostart for literally max 3mins. So I am sure that is not it. I just got my autostart too and this was happening before that.

Since I have looked and looked and looked, what does the actual manual say about when to change the spark plugs?
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by davewhodavedunn
I use my autostart for literally max 3mins. So I am sure that is not it. I just got my autostart too and this was happening before that.
Is that 3 minutes each time or 3 minutes each day or 3 minutes since you got it installed?

Originally Posted by davewhodavedunn
Since I have looked and looked and looked, what does the actual manual say about when to change the spark plugs?
Neither the service manual nor the owner's manual give a specific mileage for normal driving. You change the spark plugs and timing belt when the MID tells you to (at service interval 4), which has been reported by forum members to come up at 105K-108K miles. (Do a search for "timing belt" and you'll see a few folks that have reached that point at around 105K). If you're an exceptionally aggressive, high rpm driver, it might be less.
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Old May 7, 2010 | 12:57 AM
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i made 530km aproximatly from my tl whit a full
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Old May 7, 2010 | 02:44 AM
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100k miles
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Old Dec 18, 2020 | 03:25 PM
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Old thread I know but it came up in search. How often are you guys changing your spark plugs? I am at 39k miles on the current set. I know factory calls for every 100k miles. Car is stock. What plugs just the OEM NGK Iridiums? Have you guys changed the coil on plug wires ever? Do they ever go bad on these cars?
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Old Dec 18, 2020 | 04:33 PM
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The manual says every 105,000 miles; that is conservative. I have had a coil go bad, but never the coil wires.
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Old Dec 18, 2020 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by 4drturbo
Old thread I know but it came up in search. How often are you guys changing your spark plugs? I am at 39k miles on the current set. I know factory calls for every 100k miles. Car is stock. What plugs just the OEM NGK Iridiums? Have you guys changed the coil on plug wires ever? Do they ever go bad on these cars?
The OEM NGK Double Iridium (not the cheaper iridium from NGK) will easily get to 130K miles without any change. The real issue is the middle 2 cylinders having the plugs loosen over time (usually by 100K miles) so they need to be retorqued. Some TL's had them back out after 60K miles and eject the plug and cause damage to the head. A time sert fixes it as long as none of the spark plug falls into the cylinder.

Coils either work or don't, so no need to replace coils. If it feels slow, the Accelerator Pedal Position sensor goes bad and should be replaced; you can check with live OBDII data to see what it's reading.
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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by horseshoez
The manual says every 105,000 miles; that is conservative. I have had a coil go bad, but never the coil wires.
When did it go bad. 105k seems crazy on plugs. I am just used to chaning my plugs on my turbo 4 banger every year or so since its so easy and cheap. ($10 for 4) But it has a tune and bigger turbo and fresh plugs are crucial.

Originally Posted by csmeance
The OEM NGK Double Iridium (not the cheaper iridium from NGK) will easily get to 130K miles without any change. The real issue is the middle 2 cylinders having the plugs loosen over time (usually by 100K miles) so they need to be retorqued. Some TL's had them back out after 60K miles and eject the plug and cause damage to the head. A time sert fixes it as long as none of the spark plug falls into the cylinder.

Coils either work or don't, so no need to replace coils. If it feels slow, the Accelerator Pedal Position sensor goes bad and should be replaced; you can check with live OBDII data to see what it's reading.
Very interesting! Never knew about the middle 2 cylinders having the plugs loosen over time. That would really suck.
I looked at some old messages and when I had them replaced 39k miles I went with the NGK 6994 Iridiums. I am starting to think it might be transmission related but not sure. When the car is in 5th gear and I am cruising around 60mph and start to give it gas, its like the transmission doesn't want to downshift and the car sputters and bogs a bit, but whats crazy is it doesn't happen all the time. Always run 91 and 93 octane. Just scares me a bit.

I will look into the symptoms of the accelerator pedal position sensor. I just have an UltraGauge. It might read throttle position. I am guessing when that sensor goes out when you floor it the throttle doesn't open all the way?
Great info though, thanks!
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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by 4drturbo
When did it go bad. 105k seems crazy on plugs. I am just used to chaning my plugs on my turbo 4 banger every year or so since its so easy and cheap. ($10 for 4) But it has a tune and bigger turbo and fresh plugs are crucial.


Very interesting! Never knew about the middle 2 cylinders having the plugs loosen over time. That would really suck.
I looked at some old messages and when I had them replaced 39k miles I went with the NGK 6994 Iridiums. I am starting to think it might be transmission related but not sure. When the car is in 5th gear and I am cruising around 60mph and start to give it gas, its like the transmission doesn't want to downshift and the car sputters and bogs a bit, but whats crazy is it doesn't happen all the time. Always run 91 and 93 octane. Just scares me a bit.

I will look into the symptoms of the accelerator pedal position sensor. I just have an UltraGauge. It might read throttle position. I am guessing when that sensor goes out when you floor it the throttle doesn't open all the way?
Great info though, thanks!
Check your intake tube for cracks (ribbed one) and as well clean the throttle body and EGR system, and take off the intake manifold and clean under there. With 200K miles, my 04 TL had a LOT of carbon buildup that scrubbing with a stiff brush took take care on the passages for EGR in the intake underside.
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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by csmeance
Check your intake tube for cracks (ribbed one) and as well clean the throttle body and EGR system, and take off the intake manifold and clean under there. With 200K miles, my 04 TL had a LOT of carbon buildup that scrubbing with a stiff brush took take care on the passages for EGR in the intake underside.
I already did the intake tube last year due to it splitting I just checked it, it's fine. But you never know. I have 117,000 on mine. Well would you look at that I pulled out one of the plugs the easiest one to get to in the middle The gap was .080!!!!! No idea how my car has been running the way it is! OEM gap is .044 correct? It seems fine most of the time so I'm just going to replace all the spark plugs. Might as well. Also I replace that evap purge valve a couple months ago and supposedly when that goes bad it can start to foul spark plugs. Check out the wire too it's white around it.
When do I change spark plugs?-clkpchq.jpg
When do I change spark plugs?-wdpx3nl.jpg
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Old Dec 20, 2020 | 12:08 AM
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won't let me edit my post. looks like the tip is messed up. Look at new ones! https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...ark+plug&pos=2
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Old Dec 20, 2020 | 12:34 AM
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I might of had counterfit NGK's in my ride.
For sure going to order them from an autoparts store.
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Old Jan 11, 2021 | 07:28 PM
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Yep 5 & 2 have issues. Popped a plug out of 5.

Cylinder 5 coil sleeve

Cylinder 4 on bottom, 5 on top

Cylinder 4 sleeve
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Old Jan 12, 2021 | 09:35 AM
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I tried these alternate NGK ones from rockauto:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...429130&jsn=359

So far, so good!
.
.
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Old Jan 13, 2021 | 02:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Eli J
Yep 5 & 2 have issues. Popped a plug out of 5.

Cylinder 5 coil sleeve

Cylinder 4 on bottom, 5 on top

Cylinder 4 sleeve
Yikes. So what was the damage?
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Old Jan 13, 2021 | 07:47 AM
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Tbd.
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