Hi, everyone! I'm a newbie to this forum, having just purchased an '03 Protoge5.

The car currently has 28,000 miles & according to the maintenance log, is due for new plugs at 30,000. Is this correct - seems a little early to me! What brand/type plugs do you recommend? Is this a "do-it-yourself" project or do I need an expert?

Thanks for any help you can give me - I look forward to sharing a lot of good info with you all on this Forum!!

 

good to have new members. You'll enjoy a lot of information here. It's all found by using the SEARCH button at the top of the screen. Try there first as this has been covered many times before.

 

Easy DIY....Mazda recommends NGK's

 

i got the "long reach" NGK from my dealer for like 3 bucks each installed em myself no problem.

 

"Long reach"...you mean the 1.6L ones?

 

What is the part number?

 

The part no. of the extended reach spark plugs as used in the 1.6L engine is:
NGK ZFR5F-11. I use them in my 2.0L.

 

What's the advantage of the extended reach plugs?

 

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but doesn't the long reach plugs let the ful/air mixture detonate much fully, but at the same time the plug itself is prone to getting too much heat.

I'm not sure, but lets find out what others have to say. You can actually buy the NGK Iridium IX for 6.99 a pop.

 

You're correct on both counts, that's why it's important that a projected nose plug have the same heat range as the plug you're replacing. The NGK ZFR5F-11 has the same "5" heat range as the stock 2.0 plug. I've got over 5,000 miles on the set I installed and they run fine on 87 octane.

Rich

 

I put a set of Denso 'Iridium Power' plugs in this week. I've got improved acceleration, smoother idle and more power. Granted my copper NGK's were at 33K, so it was overdue, but what an improvement! It feels like an improvement in hp, but who knows. I had walked into AutoZone looking for the NGK iridiums, but Denso was all they had in stock. At $12.99 each they are not cheap, a dollar more than I was paying for platinum, but they are definitely worth the extra.

The iridium electrode is just 0.4 mm diameter, producing a 'stronger spark', according to the hype on the package. The iridium tip is even harder than platinum, so it should hold up to wear-&-tear even better. The fuel consumption is hyped as increasing, but as yet to be determined, but it does appear to improve, even in around-town travel.

I'm heading to Colorado next week with the car, so I'll be able to give a full report upon my return.

This looks to be a winner!

 

Buy the NGK iridium plugs for the best ignitability and lowest sparking voltage requirement. I suggest ordering them online through http://www.sparkplugs.com.

Welcome to the forum. I hope that you have fun here.

 

<~~~just got back from my work conference where I met the human resource manager for Denso. She's going to arrange for me to get a tour of the Denso plug plant in Tennesse and some good information on them.

 

Sounds like someone is a man of the auto industry....

 

used to be..... now I'm in the "retirement/profit sharing" industry!

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