Weird Dealer reccomendation - spark plugs
 

I know there are a few DIY threads about spark plugs but this is not directly related.

I recently got 2 of the four spark plugs changed under the recall, and have now reached 35k. The recomended maintenance calls for a spark plug change - obviously I do not need to change the two that the dealer changed at the recall... But interestingly they said I do not need to change the other two till 70k miles since they are platinum and two have been changed.

This sounds strange but the car shows no change in power, consumption or idle vibration levels - should I ignore the dealer and change the other two or is it ok to save some money??

Thanks...

the two that were changed with the recall are the leading plugs. The back of your owner's manual should have a service schedule for when to change the plugs.

I'm in the same boat. I think I'm just going to change the trailing plugs now (36k) and then change all 4 at 75k. Now to find the best deal on these plugs!

For reference, the manual says change all 4 at 37,500 intervals.

i think sparkplugs.com carries them. Just make sure you're using the right part number or you could end up with the 'old version' plugs. (the new leading plugs have a groove in them)

You can also check out www.onlinemazdaparts.com (forum vendor) I'm certain he's got some

if your not having loss of power problems, dont worry about them.

It would be easy to obsess over such things.

I thank you all for the feedback.

Tha manual says 37.5 normal interval and 35 for schedule 2 (hot and dirty areas or something to which Dallas conforms well)

I do confirm that sparkplugs.com has the best price I found yet - the manual says to change both leading and trailing and the dealer told me not to worry about the trailing ones (a bit of the mix of answers seen above)... At 19.85 each from sparkplugs.com I think I will get them and change them in my own time - the key thing is that there seems to be no rush as far as potential damage to the engine...

Thanks again

Not to be a parrot but your dealer is an idiot. The plugs aren't considered platinum they're iridium. Also, as you found out the manual says change 'em at 37.5K latest. You like your warranty right?

The Ones In The Bottom Should Be Changes As The Manual Says , But The Ones In The Top , You Change Them Every Two Times You Change The Bottom Ones, I've Always Done This To All My Rotaries, The 8 Is Not An Exeption

firstly the stock rx8 plugs are iridium. i think they are overpriced crap $120 spark plugs.

go to your local parts store and buy some rx7 plugs ( NGK bur7eq for leading ( bottom ) and NGK bur9eq for trailing ( top ) ) They are $5 each. replace them every 10k miles. it takes all of a half hour or less to do it on the rx8.

Thanks for all the posts. I finally when with the sparkplugs.com 19.95 option for the trailing plugs (leading were changed by recall). Followed the DIY guide posted in the DIY section ang got it done in about 30 min (including tire removal and replacement. Not to be seen again for three years, and no chance of warranty issues for using the rx7 plugs (dealers will look for any reason to tell you its not the car its you when things go wrong...).