Need new plugs & wires?

**DRBLING** · 02-09-12 11:28 AM

2008 ESV, about 51,000 miles, use good gas but who knows what crap you get sometimes.

So, do you think the factory plugs & wires should be changed even though it runs well? I have noticed my mileage recently a little less than before, and I do drop in fuel system cleaner 3 or 4 times a year.

If so, which plugs / wires do you suggest? NGK and stock wires maybe?

**48548m** · 02-09-12 10:04 PM

I put a set of magnacores on my new 11.... Much bigger than stock. I do like ngk or stock plugs though. On the womans g8 I put new plugs and wires at 59000. I only did it because it is a dd and 4 years old... In my eyes no point to be cheap. But the plugs didn't look to bad. Don't know what to say. Can't hurt but might not help.... Maybe seafoam would be better.

**mrholland** · 02-10-12 10:12 AM

With the technology we have today and the computers in the cars, I'm not sure that there is a reason to use something other than stock when it comes to plugs and wires. 1. Its not a race car. 2. Current day engines are designed to burn clean. You have 50,000 miles on your current set, I don't think changing them to a more expensive after market set will really allow any more mileage than you've already driven. GM warranties their engines to 100,000 miles with the parts it came with from the factory. They believe in that combination, why shy away from it if its just a daily driver? I do believe there are areas that one can improve, on a bone stock factory engine, I don't think plugs and wires are it. JMHO...

**ELUSIVE** · 02-10-12 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by mrholland

With the technology we have today and the computers in the cars, I'm not sure that there is a reason to use something other than stock when it comes to plugs and wires. 1. Its not a race car. 2. Current day engines are designed to burn clean. You have 50,000 miles on your current set, I don't think changing them to a more expensive after market set will really allow any more mileage than you've already driven. GM warranties their engines to 100,000 miles with the parts it came with from the factory. They believe in that combination, why shy away from it if its just a daily driver? I do believe there are areas that one can improve, on a bone stock factory engine, I don't think plugs and wires are it. JMHO...

+1. Well written.

**mrholland** · 02-10-12 01:08 PM

Thank you

**DRBLING** · 02-10-12 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by mrholland

With the technology we have today and the computers in the cars, I'm not sure that there is a reason to use something other than stock when it comes to plugs and wires. 1. Its not a race car. 2. Current day engines are designed to burn clean. You have 50,000 miles on your current set, I don't think changing them to a more expensive after market set will really allow any more mileage than you've already driven. GM warranties their engines to 100,000 miles with the parts it came with from the factory. They believe in that combination, why shy away from it if its just a daily driver? I do believe there are areas that one can improve, on a bone stock factory engine, I don't think plugs and wires are it. JMHO...

Appreciate your points. I'll probably pull a few plugs and see how they look. I bought the ESV from a good Caddy dealer last year when it had around 45,000 miles. Now at 51,000 miles. So now I just figure no telling what junk gas may have been used so maybe it does need new plugs & maybe wires just for overkill.

It runs fine but I have noticed my mileage not quite what it was from a while ago.

Tks. again.

**quattrotman** · 02-11-12 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by mrholland

With the technology we have today and the computers in the cars, I'm not sure that there is a reason to use something other than stock when it comes to plugs and wires. 1. Its not a race car. 2. Current day engines are designed to burn clean. You have 50,000 miles on your current set, I don't think changing them to a more expensive after market set will really allow any more mileage than you've already driven. GM warranties their engines to 100,000 miles with the parts it came with from the factory. They believe in that combination, why shy away from it if its just a daily driver? I do believe there are areas that one can improve, on a bone stock factory engine, I don't think plugs and wires are it. JMHO...

I agree. I wouldn't change that stuff out unless I had a noticeable problem. If your gas mileage is down, maybe the plugs could use a change but probably won't make much difference unless they are really bad. Nowadays, that stuff is meant to be an item that gets changed once, maybe twice in a vehicle's life. I see no value in changing that stuff on a new vehicle as there will be little to no improvement.

**ELUSIVE** · 02-11-12 08:51 AM

Also, if your mileage is down have you:
1) Check your tire pressures and treadwear?
2) Checked your air filter?
3) Started using different gas?
4) Changed your driving style?

Of all the variables that could reduce your gas mileage on a car with only 51,000 miles I would say plugs and wires are very unlikely to cause a reduction.

**cadmanchris** · 02-11-12 10:17 AM

As long as you do not have any misfires, your plugs and wires should be fine. Plugs are good up to 100k.

**48Dodge** · 02-13-12 02:57 PM

I replaced my plugs at 100k. I'm fairly certain they were original equipment and the wear on them was pretty minimal. If you do decide to replace them, set aside a good afternoon for it. Driver side plugs go pretty quickly. Passenger side are a different story.

**mstymntntop** · 02-14-12 11:16 PM

Anyone have any tips as to how to get out and replace the plug that is closest to the firewall on the passenger side? I had everything setup to remove the plug but p***ed out because I didn't know if I could get the new plug in.

**Ghost Deany** · 02-15-12 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by mstymntntop

Anyone have any tips as to how to get out and replace the plug that is closest to the firewall on the passenger side? I had everything setup to remove the plug but p***ed out because I didn't know if I could get the new plug in.

Get it from underneath the truck. Its easy. The higher you can jack the front of the truck up the better. If you had a lift you could probably change it in 3 mins.

**48Dodge** · 02-15-12 09:33 AM

I jacked it up, removed the wheel and then the inner liner. The front 3 really aren't too bad. The rear was pretty tough even with a wobble extension.

**mstymntntop** · 02-16-12 09:03 PM

That sounds like a good plan. Do you all use jack stands? I'm thinking about getting some since we are one of the locations where Sears is closing. Great discounts so far....If you do have them, which size (2, 3, or 4 ton) are you comfortable being underneath?