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I hear you. I never have and never will keep a car to 150k let alone 300k miles. But I certainly do the right thing maintenance wise regardless. 60k plugs just seems like overkill to me. The last car I actually had plugs changed on was an 01 Grand Prix at roughly 100k and those were probably platinum. Noticed zero difference after the change. Thanks for your input though!
Seems very strange that Lexus on the RX would go from changing the plugs in a 2015 from 110,000 miles to 60,000 miles in a 2017 just in order to adhere to the emissions warranty. members that had theirs changed at 110,000 miles stated they looked new. I will pass since it is over $500.
Although there may not be a "need" to change the plugs at 60K it's a good idea to loosen them and re-tighten them to ensure that they are not seized n their socket.
Seems very strange that Lexus on the RX would go from changing the plugs in a 2015 from 110,000 miles to 60,000 miles in a 2017 just in order to adhere to the emissions warranty. members that had theirs changed at 110,000 miles stated they looked new. I will pass since it is a over $500.
After reading through my 2020 RX warranty guide and visiting the EPA site, this is my understanding for vehicles owned and operated in the United States:
Spark plugs are specifically mentioned in the Lexus warranty guide as being a maintenance item (no warranty coverage) EXCEPT:
Spark plugs are " Warranted until first required maintenance under terms of the California Emission Control Warranty." This language is confusing, since spark plugs are referenced with a 60K change interval. It is not clear what "first required maintenance" means in this context. The Lexus documentation is vague. I don't know if that is intentional or the result of lousy writing.
It appears that spark plugs are NOT warranted as part of the Federal Emission Control Warranty, as the Lexus guide includes spark plugs in the 'what is not covered' discussion of the Federal Emission Control Warranty
My conclusion is the 60K mile spark plug change interval only applies to those vehicles subject to the draconian California emission standards. Several other states have adopted those standards. If in your reading you conclude that spark plugs are included in the Federal Emission Performance Warranty, then that warranty is only in effect for locales with an EPA-approved Inspection & Maintenance program. The 2020 RX350 Warranty and Services Guide can be found here: L-MMS-20RX350.pdf (lexus.com). If you do find that spark plugs are covered by the Federal warranty, please reference the source.
My state of WV has not adopted the CA standards and does not have any emissions testing. (We do have an annual vehicle safety inspection....) No way will I change the plugs at 60K miles. I might consider doing it at 120K.
You may think so till you have to deal with a broken plug, then you'll see the wisdom.
If this was a 4cylinder with easy plug access I might see your point, but as difficult as the rear plugs are to reach if I'm going in there to crack em loose, I'm just gonna replace them. I mean what's $18 dollars a plug? If this was a cheap car I was trying to get by with spending as little as possible maybe, but after spending $40k I don't mind dropping $100 on plugs every 60k.
Aren’t the crush washers on spark plugs supposed to be one-time use? So by loosening them and then re-torquing them, there is an increased likelihood of the plug leaking and possibly damaging the threads in the head.
I’ve changed a lot of spark plugs over the years and never had one so seized that a half inch breaker bar couldn’t budge.
I had to take a second look at my printed version for my MY 2017 and my included spark plugs right below key fob battery, on the otherwise identicle page 55...
I had to take a second look at my printed version for my MY 2017 and my included spark plugs right below key fob battery, on the otherwise identicle page 55...
Pretty bizarre- well done Lexus offering clarity on this one😋. I'll roll the dice and hold off on spark plugs for a bit. My wife's RX currently at 56k and still runs as silky smooth as day one.
Many of you guys follow Car Care Nut and he finally did a video for the spark plugs on our engine.
This guy has a ton of no nonsense videos for Toyota Lexus and tells it like it is regarding what the manual/dealer says to do vs a real tech and owner does.
Good news is that the rear plugs are relatively easy to get at compared to previous generations. He also gives some "shortcuts" and hints vs the TIS manual to make it even easier.
My 2017 MY maintenance schedule clearly states 120k miles for spark plug replacement.
This is getting confusing. Assuming 350L is posting a page from his owners manual maintenance schedule showing 60K, could you do the same showing 120K?
This is getting confusing. Assuming 350L is posting a page from his owners manual maintenance schedule showing 60K, could you do the same showing 120K?
Go to the manual in the glove box and find the intervals, it's clearly listed in there. I confirmed what the manual said a shop with Mitchell1 Repair manual.
Here are my plugs at 82k. They were pretty easy to do with The Car Care Nut’s video. There are slight variations with the RX but pretty easy to figure out.
07-02-21, 04:16 AM
