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mileage to change out spark plugs? 2012 Ram

Started by resq302, January 16, 2015, 05:47:27 PM

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resq302

I've recently noticed a drop in my mpg's with my 2012 Ram 1500 with the hemi.  I figured I would check the owners manual to see what the service schedule is since I just turned 37,000 miles and was shocked to see they say you need to change out the plugs at 32,000 miles.  Are the factory plugs the copper core plugs like the older cars had?  What is the reasoning for changing out these plugs so soon?  Typically todays cars have the 100,000 mile plugs in them.
Brian
1969 Dodge Charger (factory 4 speed, H code 383 engine,  AACA Senior winner, 2008 Concours d'Elegance participant, 2009 Concours d'Elegance award winner)
1970 Challenger Convert. factory #'s matching red inter. w/ white body.  318 car built 9/28/69 (AACA Senior winner)
1969 Plymough GTX convertible - original sheet metal, #'s matching drivetrain, T3 Honey Bronze, 1 of 701 produced, 1 of 362 with 440 4 bbl - auto

Kern Dog

Anyone that waits until 100,000 miles to change their plugs needs a kick in the ass. Who cares if the manual says they are platinum? People that ran their 4.6 and 5.4 FORD engines that long ended up tearing the threads out of the heads when they tried to take the plugs out. In any engine where the threads of the plug extend into the combustion chamber, you run the same risk. Carbon builds up on the exposed part of the spark plug and shreds an aluminum  head when you try to take it out.
The Hemi engines should have plug changes every 30,000 miles. You will see zero gain by spending $8 per plug for platinum or any other BS exotic. The OEM plugs work great, but buy them online at RockAuto.com or at Auto Zone to get a decent price.   :2thumbs:

Cooter

Quote from: Kern Dog on January 17, 2015, 03:24:26 AM
Anyone that waits until 100,000 miles to change their plugs needs a kick in the ass. Who cares if the manual says they are platinum? People that ran their 4.6 and 5.4 FORD engines that long ended up tearing the threads out of the heads when they tried to take the plugs out. In any engine where the threads of the plug extend into the combustion chamber, you run the same risk. Carbon builds up on the exposed part of the spark plug and shreds an aluminum  head when you try to take it out.
The Hemi engines should have plug changes every 30,000 miles. You will see zero gain by spending $8 per plug for platinum or any other BS exotic. The OEM plugs work great, but buy them online at RockAuto.com or at Auto Zone to get a decent price.   :2thumbs:

EXACTLY....hadda guy come in with a 3 valve Ford for miss. 156k miles, NEVER seen a tune up.
WTF has happened to people's maintenance minds?????

Of course, once I informed him of the "break off in head" plugs, dude was pissed. Who the hell buys a POS Ford with that many miles and doesn't Google it??????????????

With Google,  this should never happen in theory, yet it still does because people are stupid.
" I have spent thousands of dollars and countless hours researching what works and what doesn't and I'm willing to share"

Kern Dog

Yes, Cooter. People are stupid. They believe the marketing that leads them to being lazy and forgetful regarding maintenance. Most new cars are so reliable, they can often go far longer between service intervals than cars built in the 80s.
Plug changes in the RAM trucks is a pisser though. My 2007 has half the windshield hanging over the engine. Cyls #5 and 7 have the brake booster right in the way.  My first plug change took me 2 hours. The second took 1.5. I'm down to under an hour now.

myk

Lol.  Because I trusted the hype and my service 'rep this is exactly what happened to my 4.6L in the Mustang.  Live and learn, I won't ever listen to a dealership again.  These are the same guys that tried to tell me that you only needed to change the oil filter EVERY other oil change-I never followed that one... :icon_smile_blackeye:

resq302

Same reason why I change the oil every 3000 miles using the conventional oil and not the synthetic.  I consider it cheap insurance and a lot cheaper than replacing / rebuilding an engine or trans.
Brian
1969 Dodge Charger (factory 4 speed, H code 383 engine,  AACA Senior winner, 2008 Concours d'Elegance participant, 2009 Concours d'Elegance award winner)
1970 Challenger Convert. factory #'s matching red inter. w/ white body.  318 car built 9/28/69 (AACA Senior winner)
1969 Plymough GTX convertible - original sheet metal, #'s matching drivetrain, T3 Honey Bronze, 1 of 701 produced, 1 of 362 with 440 4 bbl - auto