Late to the game vehicle winterizing...

December 21, 2022, 08:41 AM

David Lee

Am holding off a bit longer on my spark plugs. I believe they are factory original at 151,000 miles. Engine run quality is starting to talk to me. I will scout NGK as I feel these are good quality plugs. 8 year Toyota True Start battery has been giving up the ghost for 2 weeks now and hunting for jump starts has been fun. I have a new Auto Zone battery this morning. 750 CCA of power and $244.00 all just in time for extreme temps starting Friday. I really would like to attempt cleaning the MAF sensor as my fuel mileage has dropped off. While I've watched a few vids on spray cleaning the sensor, a friend who is a mechanic advises not to mess with it. Why do they make MAF sensor cleaner if you're not supposed to clean it? Any how, just thinking aloud of things for the Toyota to keep it healthy. Back brakes and new rotors just around the corner.

December 21, 2022, 08:55 AM

rizzle

Engine run quality will effect fuel mileage, if the spark plugs are worn out, do that first. The plastic and epoxy used to hold the MAF wire in place gets brittle over time, sometimes cleaning old MAF sensors will cause damage.
If you had a basic code reader/scan tool, the long term fuel trims should read around zero, this means the fuel system is not correcting for any problems, which means you fuel mileage is as good as its gonna get.

December 21, 2022, 03:55 PM

Edmond

Motors typically like cooler air but not too cold. I just returned from a 3,000 mile road trip and mileage was definitely worse in areas where it was too cold (Chicagoland).

$244 for a battery is ridiculous! 8 years out of a battery, you got your moneys worth. I typically change them at 5-6 years, car batteries always seem to die at the worst possible moment and without warning.

NGK should be the factory spark plug, IIRC, for Toyota and Honda vehicles. I just ordered 4 spark plugs for my Civic.

I also ordered some more CVT fluid and a CVT filter. Honda says to change every 30k miles and I'm currently at 40k on this batch I changed earlier this year. But I did use high quality stuff, Amsoil, so I'm not afraid there's any damage.

If someone you know has a Costco card, ask if you can borrow it to put some Costco fuel in there. It's typically 20-30 cents cheaper per gallon and top tier fuel. I also run some fuel injector cleaner every couple of months. I like Chevron fuel injector cleaner.

December 21, 2022, 05:43 PM

egregore

quote:
I will scout NGK as I feel these are good quality plugs.

In Japanese vehicles, use NGK or Denso spark plugs. It may not make sense, but other brands can cause mysterious misfires. Also replace the ignition coil boots. The plugs on the firewall side of the engine are difficult enough without having to re-do them.

December 21, 2022, 05:50 PM

David Lee

quote:
Originally posted by egregore:
quote:
I will scout NGK as I feel these are good quality plugs.
In Japanese vehicles, use NGK or Denso spark plugs. It may not make sense, but other brands can cause mysterious misfires. Also replace the ignition coil boots. The plugs on the firewall side of the engine are difficult enough without having to re-do them.

Thank you. I didnt know I can buy the boots seperately. Yes indeed, I watched a video last year of the plug change. Gets pretty involved on the engines back side. Pretty sure its all 10mm and 14mm bolts.

December 21, 2022, 05:52 PM

David Lee

quote:
Originally posted by rizzle:
Engine run quality will effect fuel mileage, if the spark plugs are worn out, do that first. The plastic and epoxy used to hold the MAF wire in place gets brittle over time, sometimes cleaning old MAF sensors will cause damage.
If you had a basic code reader/scan tool, the long term fuel trims should read around zero, this means the fuel system is not correcting for any problems, which means you fuel mileage is as good as its gonna get.

OK great, I will let the sensor be. No codes to speak of and my mechanic friend has some high tech scanning equipment.

December 21, 2022, 05:54 PM

83v45magna

Stock Toyota will be NipponDenso. For this, I would go to a Toyota parts counter. To wit:

I compared a Toyota boxed ND marked plug with the identical part number ND marked plug from Pep Boys once back in the early nineties. Totally different plugs in shape, with the PepBoys one having a couple of threads more depth too. Extra reach enough to get exposed inside the combustion chamber will carbon up the thread ends. This can shred the hell out of aluminum threads, or just strip em out if you wait long enough to do it.

Compared the PepBoys version with a cross referenced Champion? With the exception of the branding, these were a perfect match.

From my personal experience, Toyotas and Champion plugs don't get along very well. It's a lot like ammo in that way.

December 21, 2022, 05:56 PM

David Lee

quote:
Originally posted by Edmond:
Motors typically like cooler air but not too cold. I just returned from a 3,000 mile road trip and mileage was definitely worse in areas where it was too cold (Chicagoland).

$244 for a battery is ridiculous! 8 years out of a battery, you got your moneys worth. I typically change them at 5-6 years, car batteries always seem to die at the worst possible moment and without warning.

NGK should be the factory spark plug, IIRC, for Toyota and Honda vehicles. I just ordered 4 spark plugs for my Civic.

I also ordered some more CVT fluid and a CVT filter. Honda says to change every 30k miles and I'm currently at 40k on this batch I changed earlier this year. But I did use high quality stuff, Amsoil, so I'm not afraid there's any damage.

If someone you know has a Costco card, ask if you can borrow it to put some Costco fuel in there. It's typically 20-30 cents cheaper per gallon and top tier fuel. I also run some fuel injector cleaner every couple of months. I like Chevron fuel injector cleaner.

Well that included a $22.00 core charge. I had priced batteries at Auto Zone a week back and IIRC the 640 CCA battery was $180.00 plus tax. The 750 CCA is $30.00 more. Now it starts with authority. I am pleased.

December 21, 2022, 05:59 PM

egregore

quote:
From my personal experience, Toyotas and Champion plugs don't get along very well.

Champion plugs are for Chrysler (pre-Fiat/Stellantis), GM get AC-Delco, Ford gets Motorcraft.

December 21, 2022, 05:59 PM

David Lee

quote:
Originally posted by 83v45magna:
Stock Toyota will be NipponDenso. For this, I would go to a Toyota parts counter. To wit:

I compared a Toyota boxed ND marked plug with the identical part number ND marked plug from Pep Boys once back in the early nineties. Totally different plugs in shape, with the PepBoys one having a couple of threads more depth too. Extra reach enough to get exposed inside the combustion chamber will carbon up the thread ends. This can shred the hell out of aluminum threads, or just strip em out if you wait long enough to do it.

Compared the PepBoys version with a cross referenced Champion? With the exception of the branding, these were a perfect match.

From my personal experience, Toyotas and Champion plugs don't get along very well. It's a lot like ammo in that way.

I will price the NDs at the dealership but its been my experience their parts department is quite expensive. We will see.

December 21, 2022, 06:00 PM

220-9er

I'd also go with OE plugs since the originals lasted 151,000.

Why do they sell the MAF cleaner if it doesn't work?
Because people buy it.

Also check the air filter and other simple stuff. Start with the basics and go from there.

December 21, 2022, 06:02 PM

David Lee

My new battery is so powerful, when I started it today a Teslas lights went dim..

December 21, 2022, 06:32 PM

jigray3

Toyota generally offers iridium plugs, and replacement on my Tundra is recommended at 120K. I understand that's not because the plugs fail, but because the Feds require the 120K mile spec to keep potential emissions from incomplete combustion at bay in older or poorly running engines.

A lot of local Toyota dealers will sell parts at about 30% off online. They require the parts be shipped and the shipping isn't exactly cheap, but if you're spending some money, you can save quite a bit. Just google the name of a Toyota dealer in your area plus "online parts", and you'll probably get a hit. I'm guessing the site template is provided by Toyota to dealers who want to participate in online parts sales, because a lot of the sites are almost identical in how they look and work.

For example this is the site I use. You might be able to just replace the name of your local dealer in the link:

https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/

December 21, 2022, 06:37 PM

David Lee

quote:
Originally posted by 220-9er:
I'd also go with OE plugs since the originals lasted 151,000.

Why do they sell the MAF cleaner if it doesn't work?
Because people buy it.

Also check the air filter and other simple stuff. Start with the basics and go from there.

I could do good to change the air filter again. This area has been under major construction for a couple years now and the engine is covered up with dust. I did oil and filter Friday last and have just 270 miles on that. Should be good for most of winter.

December 21, 2022, 06:47 PM

David Lee

quote:
Originally posted by jigray3:
Toyota generally offers iridium plugs, and replacement on my Tundra is recommended at 120K. I understand that's not because the plugs fail, but because the Feds require the 120K mile spec to keep potential emissions from incomplete combustion at bay in older or poorly running engines.

A lot of local Toyota dealers will sell parts at about 30% off online. They require the parts be shipped and the shipping isn't exactly cheap, but if you're spending some money, you can save quite a bit. Just google the name of a Toyota dealer in your area plus "online parts", and you'll probably get a hit. I'm guessing the site template is provided by Toyota to dealers who want to participate in online parts sales, because a lot of the sites are almost identical in how they look and work.

For example this is the site I use. You might be able to just replace the name of your local dealer in the link:

https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/

Nice site. They show platinum tip plugs lasting only 60,000 miles. It states if iridium plugs are available for my engine, 120,000. The Densos are $11.25 each. I will see if iridiums can be used.

December 21, 2022, 07:38 PM

45 Cal

Damn David,you surprise me,Man there are things you should do to maintain any equipment,Hell even a diamond ring needs some care.
A lathe need some care,you know this,you know things go up in price,hell they have to with fuels etc up sky high.
I could complain about my dog food twice as high as three years ago and with that said my fur babies have to eat.
So many things we use have a limited life[Spark plugs ] used to last 24K.In my life time I have bought many dozen auto batteries ,tires,breaks and many dozen other items.
That is life,its a good life ,pay up and enjoy life.
Sorry bud, just call thing the way I sees it.

December 21, 2022, 08:08 PM

David Lee

You are awsome 45 Cal and I am proud to hear from you. You are so right Ralph. I dont dig in and live as much as I should. There is something else I will work on. Hey now, I remember oil being $.89 quart..

. Those were the days. Mobil 1 for my engine is $33.00 for 5 quarts and it takes 6 1/2 quarts. Those are $10.00 per quart plus tax. Only thing I get a deal on for oil change is the OEM filter kit. Merry Christmas my friend. And I thank you.