Rep Power: 0

Thats how I felt when I made the purchase. I'm at 55k on my 02 Civic. I hadn't done an oil change for a good 7k miles (at least). So I went and purchased some 5w-20 (I think) Mobil 1 and stopped by a local Pep Boys for some spark plugs just to change them for no reason. Actually, I was hoping it would help my idle. Lately my car has been doing this thing where at idle, momentarily it would start to start shaking a bit and then stop, and then do it again, and then stop again.
So, I don't have a smooth idle anymore. It's only smooth sometimes, but that's for another post.

Anyways, I walk into Pep Boys and go to the parts counter. I ask the guy for some spark plugs for my 2002 Honda Civic, the one with the 1.7L engine. He pulls up the list on the computer and shows it to me. I was looking for NGK Platinums. I saw that they had none in stock and that it was special order. Some bullshyt like that. So, I was about to settle for some Bosch platinums but something else had caught my eye. NGK Iridium spark plugs. At $6.99 a pop compared to my local Honda dealer trying to sell me NGK Platinums for $20 each , I figured this was alright and I was ready to bite the bullet. I bring it up to the cashier, apparently it was a new guy, I think. He didn't know how to ring it up or something, so he asks his partner and he says just type in the UPC number. The cashier does so and it comes up for $6.99, or $7.36 with tax. I paused for a moment because I was about to write the check out for a larger amount, but then just reached in my pocket and gave him $8, got my change, and walked out with a smile on my face.

I know some of you all are about morals and what not, but I've been screwed plenty of times in my life. So, I saved myself some money, and I am happy.

Moral of the story:

Go shopping for NGK Iridiums at Pep Boys and hope they make the same mistake for you too!

 
Rep Power: 275

Morals my A$$. If they can't train their damn employees then they get what they deserve. Pep Boys makes enough money to sustain a hit like that. Good for you.

 
Rep Power: 284

hahaha, Pep Boys got OWNED!

 
Rep Power: 563

nice! good choice on the plugs too..hehe

 
Rep Power: 281

so did the new spark plugs correct your problem?

 
Rep Power: 275

^yeah, keep us updated on your car


as for the moral thing, what you did would be fair because your definately not the blame for noticing that. lets say an old man walked in their and didnt know wtf he was buying and chose the same plugs as you.. he wouldnt feel bad. you know your **** and you thank yourself you do. now enjoy them good ol 'cheap' spark plugs

 
Rep Power: 0

Well.. at first I thought it did, but no, the problem is still there.

I realize the problem is a very slight issue, but a problem nonetheless. Not too long ago I had my check engine light appear, and my car was only revving up to 4000 RPM. I ran the codes at my friends dealership and it came up as VTEC System Failure. I reset the ECU, and the problem hasn't come up again after that.

So as of right now, not constantly but occasionally, my cars idle drops a tad bit to where the car shakes, then gets smooth again. I will be doing my 60k service soon though. I don't think anytihng in that service will fix that though. I will keep you guys posted.

 
Rep Power: 295

^im having the same problem(the idle part) it just started like 2 days ago. definitely let me know what you're gunna do - i actually felt the car do it a couple times, i thought about it and shrugged it off thinking it was just a 1 time thing - but if it yours has kept on doing it mine might too.....

 
Rep Power: 0

We had the same problem on my parents accord (04), it was the vtec pressure sensor that was bad, they replaced it.

I guess when the sensor goes bad, it tries to engage vtec at idle or something and it affects the idle.

 
Rep Power: 527

Wait, you said $6.99 a pop, and then you said you paid with $8, so you bought 1 spark plug?

 
Rep Power: 367

no the guy didnt charge for all the plugs. he thought all 4 is that single price.. he didnt realize it was each..

 
Rep Power: 0

Good choice on them plugs. Works like a charm...

Check out the sticky above about adjusting idling cable. Maybe that will solve your problem.