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I was checking my plugs the other day just for the heck of it and they seemed pretty scorched. I only got 5000 miles on my car and decided, since they look like that, I think maybe I should just change em. I went with Bosch Platinums....they were only about 2 bucks a plug. Now, I do drive pretty aggressively and thought that might be the reason, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I decided to change them mostly cause I've noticed I'm only getting about 20 MPG. I'm thinking about using a single weight oil for 2-3 months and seeing what that does (will probably go back to a 5-20 or 5-30 later). Anyways.....weird thing is, I was at work today and since it was pretty slow, I decided to look up the plugs for my car and the stock NGK plugs were listed as being $13.95 a peice. Not sure if that's right...anyone got any input. Also, can you people tell me when you change your plugs (if you have) and what they looked like with how many miles you had on them. Just doing a little checking....thanks guys.

 
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I'm not so keen on Spark plus but I think the $13.95 a piece are the NGK Iradium that should be about right price... NGK has cheaper ones like i think the NGK Platinum, mine aren't that scorched i had my ride for about half a year now... and i redline alot...

THose Iradiums will imporve the gas milage i think... if you wanna purchase those plugs Denso plugs are good
Also, sometimes the wrong kinda plug kinda messes with the ignition...and emissions...

I had a situation where i put NGK in a Chrysler and it didn't ignite... i put in Bosch and it worked [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]

 
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I don't know about our new Civic's, but I put Bosch Platinums onmy old 90 CRX and it caused it to run hella bad. I didn't know it at first, so I took it to the dealer and they said that it was the spark plugs. The Bosch's don't work well with Honda engines. So I don't know. Just my 2 cents. Later.[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]

 
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i bought bosch platnum +4 and those things really really suck!!!!!!!. the only thing i like about them is they work ok w/ nitrous. but i wish i had zex plugs.umm,ngk plugs are good. if you have those, stick w/ them.

 
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if you run nitrous, you should try those 99cent eurolite plugs(company?) they are the stuff my friend uses in his 280hp+nitrous 200sx, and he said it works BETTER than all the other combos he tried

 
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What brand and octane gas do you run? Do you use gas treatments?

 
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Spark plugs are supposed to have somewhat of a burnt look to them. They aren't going to stay nice and shiny for very long at all. Take a look at a Haynes manual, it will show how different spark plugs look during different situations. As far as for platinum plugs, I personally avoid them. Copper is a better conducter of electricity than platinum is. They only advantage that platinum has over regular copper plugs is that platinum plugs will last longer than copper. But when your talking about $20 +/- to replace four plugs that are directly on top of your engine, I wouldn't bother. If you had plugs that were hella hard to get to, then maybe. Honda doesn't list spark plug replacement until 100,000 miles. I doubt that your plugs are already bad at 5,000 miles, even if you do drive it hard. What you were seeing was probably just normal wear and tear. Just my $0.02.

 
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KevinFWB's $0.02 is on the money,

your plugs were a-ok most likely, you just didnt know how to diagnose a plug (you can get a good feel for an engine by inspecting the plug, remember that when shopping for a used car)

I checked mine at 30k and they're fat dumb and happy in there (ok)

Im going out on a toasty limb here, but do you know how to install plugs, as far as gaping them? or did you just open the package and slap them in w/o checking??

what straight weight oil are you running? if its straight 30 and you're in Los Angeles or Louisana it wont really matter that much, its not cold enough to lower the viscosity... your mpg loss is most likely from the plugs. put the old plugs back in

 
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Ok, a couple of things...

Macko, that price was for the platinums the car comes with from the factory.

BobbyD, Arco or Mobil 87 octane, no additives.

Avenger, I'm offended by that. Of course I know how to install plugs. And you don't go around gaping plugs, you mean gapping. Oh, and the plugs come pregapped top the factory spec of .044". Also, I haven't been running the straight weight oil...I said I would like to try it. And the gas mileage problem has been there with the factory plugs and that's why I switched to the Bosch plugs just yesterday.

 
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2k2 Civic: Why are you offended by Avenger's comment? Your original post made it sound like you were just poking around and really didn't know much about spark plugs. I think you prematurely changed your plugs, however, it won't hurt anything.

Has anyone tried changing out their plugs to the NGK copper plugs that used to be standard? I know that the platinum plugs will last longer, but copper is a better conducter and could possilby increase gas mileage.

 
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if you can't read a plug then I'm gonna post that... what do your old plugs look like? perhaps your car is telling you whats wrong... your engine will always let you know


besides, i asked if you checked the gap... i didnt accuse you and post a pic

kevinFWB: thx