Spark plugs and gas milleage
11-28-18, 09:21 AM
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Spark plugs and gas milleage
Hey all,
I am ashamed to admit I am nearing 130,000 on the original plugs. This is not like me but the job is my least favorite and time just flies bye. Now that winter is hear (we are getting our SECOND 12” snowfall today), the pumps have that winter formula and I am averaging 20.9 over like 400 miles. My wheel bearings are good, tires are new and properly inflated. The car usually averages 24 which is still pathetic because I averaged 30.1 over an entire summer in a 3MZ Solara… anyway, I was wondering if perhaps the plugs have anything to do with this. I am not a new or unexperienced mechanic, but I do wonder the reason for the 100,000 mile change of plugs when they appear to be fine. Things like timing belts, I get. I have SEEN what they look like at 160,000.Thanks
Drew
I am ashamed to admit I am nearing 130,000 on the original plugs. This is not like me but the job is my least favorite and time just flies bye. Now that winter is hear (we are getting our SECOND 12” snowfall today), the pumps have that winter formula and I am averaging 20.9 over like 400 miles. My wheel bearings are good, tires are new and properly inflated. The car usually averages 24 which is still pathetic because I averaged 30.1 over an entire summer in a 3MZ Solara… anyway, I was wondering if perhaps the plugs have anything to do with this. I am not a new or unexperienced mechanic, but I do wonder the reason for the 100,000 mile change of plugs when they appear to be fine. Things like timing belts, I get. I have SEEN what they look like at 160,000.Thanks
Drew
11-28-18, 11:13 AM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Your plugs are due but don't expect a huge increase in mileage. That's about the only real negative I find with my ES the fuel economy sucks especially in the city.
11-28-18, 11:26 AM
#3
Driver School Candidate
I agree with Lexus2000, you won’t see a huge difference in fuel economy, unless your spark plugs were really REALLY bad. These iridium plugs are long lasting, I replaced mine at 175,000 miles, but the old ones looked like they could’ve lasted another 100,000 miles more. Is your car getting worse gas mileage than rated? Or is it just bad all together?
11-28-18, 03:45 PM
#4
Advanced
Thread Starter
Its always been bad. The best I've ever average was like 25 for a tank. Personally, over more than a couple hundred thousand miles in Toyotas, ive always averaged at or above the highway rating... like the 30.1 in the 3mz solora…. 41 in an 07 and 08 camry hybrid, 30ish in a 99 camry…. I always get higher cause I drive gently (not for that reason, its just my style... I avoid stop and go and dont hammer the gas) I just dont understand how this car is so bad... with the winter mix and the occasional idling that goes with the season, 20.1. thats crazy!
So these plugs really can last 200,000?! whats the point of changing them, then?
So these plugs really can last 200,000?! whats the point of changing them, then?
11-28-18, 08:16 PM
#5
I do mostly in town driving an avg about 15-16 mpg and on highway short road trips(2hrs) I usually get around 25-26 mpg and one time a 30mpg when I was driving on the highway all day on a long road trip, If my memory is correct, I got about 400 miles to a full tank but, my usual in town driving is about 270 miles to a full tank of gas and I have 67K on my 05 ES30 and pretty much all original everything except brakes and tires. I was disappointed with my car's avg mpg's but, happy with no mechanical issues. A good trade-off compared to a BMW 528I I had prior that got 22mpg avg in town but, needed to be worked on every other week. ugh.
11-28-18, 10:11 PM
#6
Plugs are not your issue. If not bearings, then most likely brakes.
A long while back, I took out six plugs of a hideous nature - in the front bank, double platinums that were nasty. Then I found a previous "mechanic" had put coppers in the rear bank then apparently lied about changing them when due - they were worn to about double the spec'd gap and obtuse as h*ll. Replaced them all with new iridium plugs and ---
About no difference. If the cylinders have good compression, and the spark is delivered remotely correctly, these engines just seem to work well. A 3mz Solara is NOT a good comparison. I had a 1mz Solara before and it could do easily better by several (up to 4) mpgs. They are lighter and slipperier. A 3mz Solara would completely spank a 1mz ES300, even 4th gen.
If you are getting that bad a mileage, the first thing to check are brakes. After some in-town/short stop driving, walk around and put your hand on each wheel hub. All should be cool. If any feel hot, then you have dragging calipers from sticking pins. This will take off several mpgs and is in fact hard to detect even though it sounds like it would be easy. On a 130k mi car in W. NY, this is actually MORE likely than not that you have bad pin hats and seized pins.
The next thing is bearings (front). The bearings on these cars fail very silently and rob mpgs. The passenger side fails faster than the DS, and is hard to detect unless you ride over there and feel for it in the wheel well w/your feet or through the seat. You say these are good, so if true, check out all the caliper pins thoroughly before chasing other things.
Some thoughts., may not be definitive!
A long while back, I took out six plugs of a hideous nature - in the front bank, double platinums that were nasty. Then I found a previous "mechanic" had put coppers in the rear bank then apparently lied about changing them when due - they were worn to about double the spec'd gap and obtuse as h*ll. Replaced them all with new iridium plugs and ---
About no difference. If the cylinders have good compression, and the spark is delivered remotely correctly, these engines just seem to work well. A 3mz Solara is NOT a good comparison. I had a 1mz Solara before and it could do easily better by several (up to 4) mpgs. They are lighter and slipperier. A 3mz Solara would completely spank a 1mz ES300, even 4th gen.
If you are getting that bad a mileage, the first thing to check are brakes. After some in-town/short stop driving, walk around and put your hand on each wheel hub. All should be cool. If any feel hot, then you have dragging calipers from sticking pins. This will take off several mpgs and is in fact hard to detect even though it sounds like it would be easy. On a 130k mi car in W. NY, this is actually MORE likely than not that you have bad pin hats and seized pins.
The next thing is bearings (front). The bearings on these cars fail very silently and rob mpgs. The passenger side fails faster than the DS, and is hard to detect unless you ride over there and feel for it in the wheel well w/your feet or through the seat. You say these are good, so if true, check out all the caliper pins thoroughly before chasing other things.
Some thoughts., may not be definitive!
Last edited by Oro; 11-28-18 at 10:17 PM.
11-29-18, 06:00 AM
#7
Advanced
Thread Starter
Actually I’ve had major brake problems but thought I corrected them. I always clean the brackets to shiny metal so the pads move as the should, and also shine the pins and put fresh grease on them... I guess that wasn’t enough! I have felt a hot hub many times in the past. Smelled it too, but I don’t think that’s going on here I will check again. Bearing are good. Lost a front driver. Put in a koyo. The passenger is smooth even with my hand on the spring.
So very very sad about the solara being better by design. In my mind, they look aerodynamically comparable and have all the same parts. I am regretting selling that solara anyway. We got it in ‘10. 48,000. Had 177,000 when I ditched it. It was showroom pretty much. Got over $3000 for it all parties knowing it needed struts and an exhaust soon. Had a tranny hiccup too. Went to some auction. Hindsight I should have run a tranny cleaner (prolly was varnish in valves) threw KYB struts on it and aimed for 300,000. A v6 leather nav car that averages 30. I miss it. Though the ES is quite nicer
i run 89 octane. I realize most run 87 but I just worry it’s not enough. It was always 89 or 91 in the solara too
So very very sad about the solara being better by design. In my mind, they look aerodynamically comparable and have all the same parts. I am regretting selling that solara anyway. We got it in ‘10. 48,000. Had 177,000 when I ditched it. It was showroom pretty much. Got over $3000 for it all parties knowing it needed struts and an exhaust soon. Had a tranny hiccup too. Went to some auction. Hindsight I should have run a tranny cleaner (prolly was varnish in valves) threw KYB struts on it and aimed for 300,000. A v6 leather nav car that averages 30. I miss it. Though the ES is quite nicer
i run 89 octane. I realize most run 87 but I just worry it’s not enough. It was always 89 or 91 in the solara too
Trending Topics
12-02-18, 06:06 AM
#9
Advanced
Thread Starter
My hubs were all ice cold after a few miles at 70.
Curious: if the pins wear out the part of the calipers that slide on them, they couldn’t be fixed other than boring and pressing in a sleeve right? Not my case just wondering.
Curious: if the pins wear out the part of the calipers that slide on them, they couldn’t be fixed other than boring and pressing in a sleeve right? Not my case just wondering.
12-02-18, 06:07 AM
#10
Advanced
Thread Starter
My average is up to like 22.5ish. Sucks but beats 20.9
im typically not inclined to get hung up on MPG. Have to drive what I like. And a 45mph es300h would save me big money in gas but costs $46,000 rapidly deprecating dollars. i drove 24,500 miles this year in my Es, though. 30 like the solara would have equaled substantial savings. Shame
the Avalon company car I had (in my name but reimbursed) averaged 48.1 or 48.2 for the first 3-4 months I had it. No joke. But after about 6 months, I sold it for more than I paid because I’d rather know my “car allowance” goes toward my financial well-being, not a fancy car. Turns out I actually am more satisfied with my Es. It’s not as Simple as saying I like the Es more or it’s better, but I am more satisfied. Satisfaction is rare these days
im typically not inclined to get hung up on MPG. Have to drive what I like. And a 45mph es300h would save me big money in gas but costs $46,000 rapidly deprecating dollars. i drove 24,500 miles this year in my Es, though. 30 like the solara would have equaled substantial savings. Shame
the Avalon company car I had (in my name but reimbursed) averaged 48.1 or 48.2 for the first 3-4 months I had it. No joke. But after about 6 months, I sold it for more than I paid because I’d rather know my “car allowance” goes toward my financial well-being, not a fancy car. Turns out I actually am more satisfied with my Es. It’s not as Simple as saying I like the Es more or it’s better, but I am more satisfied. Satisfaction is rare these days
Last edited by acarapella; 12-02-18 at 06:12 AM.
12-04-18, 07:21 PM
#11
My .02- I'm a believer in changing plugs periodically, especially more often than every 100,00miles. Why? Well, it guarantees me peak performance & mpg., but more importantly, it gives me an opportunity to see what's going on in the combustion chamber. As an old drag racer(Cars & M/C), this was always done every "track day" for diagnostic purposes, while not nearly as important on a grocery-getter, it's still worthwhile, IMHO...Each to his own, however...
12-06-18, 03:02 PM
#12
I just changed my plugs on my 02 ES300 for the third time at 150k (I was doing valve covers so why not). I used the factory replacements and I've been getting a combined mileage of 25.6 over the last year. I was actually getting great gas mileage before, just changed them since it would've been silly not to imo....
12-07-18, 05:19 AM
#13
Advanced
Thread Starter
Man 25.6 would be great. Hard to believe that is such a goal for me. I’ve always average above the highway for almost every car I’ve had. But like I said I still love this car. Just wish it wasn’t so thirsty
so I remember doing the valve covers on a 1995 and it was brutal. I was less able then, I’ve done several timing belts and build a hotrod with home made parts since then so I hope to not be stumbled by mine... but was it brutal? I remember the wiring harness being on the top of the rear cover and making it miserable. There was an inverted 90° bend of hard plastic when bolts on both sides at 90° to each other which makes it impossible to move along either bolt’s trajectory.
so I remember doing the valve covers on a 1995 and it was brutal. I was less able then, I’ve done several timing belts and build a hotrod with home made parts since then so I hope to not be stumbled by mine... but was it brutal? I remember the wiring harness being on the top of the rear cover and making it miserable. There was an inverted 90° bend of hard plastic when bolts on both sides at 90° to each other which makes it impossible to move along either bolt’s trajectory.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post