Well, most of us know this already, but, it really blew my mind...

Yesterday I had bought some new NGK spark plugs from NAPA. This is the first time I had bought from them since I just moved back home here to San Diego for my 3rd gen. Anyways, I get home, check the plugs, and they are SINGLE electrode! Bleh, whatever, not too bad of a drive back.

Get back there, told them... "Hey, doesn't your system tell you to give twin ground electrode plugs to the 3.4L Toyota engine". The manager at the counter said: "No, who told you to use the twin electrode plugs?". I kinda chuckled and said, "Well, it says it in the owners manual, and there's a big honking sticker right on the engine that tells you to use twin electrode plugs". He honestly did not believe me... and had never heard of that before. I know for a fact all the newer Toyota truck engines use twin ground electrode plugs. How many sad sacks did he sell the single electrode plugs to over the course of the last 10 years?!!?

So he grabs these crazy "lazer beam spectra" NGK plugs with twin electrodes.... "That will be $62.50"... hahahahaa... Told him... "Wow, the plugs I usually buy with twin electrodes are less than $20, you've got to be kidding me." Finally he figured out the right ones after about 10 minutes of searching.

I think the scariest part is that this guy has been at this store for about 10 years and that he is the MANAGER.

Anyone else run into this problem before!? I couldn't believe it...

 

i had the same problem at auto zone of all places, but i don't know it might work fine w/ a single electrode, but i think two are better, not an expert on the subject, but i thought that was kinda wierd too

 

Just because he is the manager of an auto parts store doesn't mean he knows everything about every vehicle ever made. If his computer system is telling him to sell single electrode spark plugs then chances are he is gonna follow that. I hope you weren't too rude with the man for just following what he was told by his computer system.

With that being said, glad you caught it and are getting the right stuff for your motor. Hopefully the guy will make good use of his experience and either change the computer data or sell what he now knows is the right plugs.

 

Haha. Me rude? He was being a jackass and I was just trying not to make him sound like an idiot.

Well, Im not saying its his fault. Im saying NAPA has some issues if their computer system is saying this, and the manager who works there everyday doesn't even know that. There are 1000's of Tacomas/4runners in the area, and how have these people neglected to know this fact?

 

I had the same problem at advanced auto parts, I told them I wanted NGK plugs for a 97 V6 4Runner, he come out with plugs with single electrodes, then i sat in the store for 10 minutes and explained to them the 5ve-fe requires duel electrodes, I even offered to show him the sticker & owners manual, they must of thought i was a moron.

 

While NGK has great plugs and wires, the real blame has to be put on the catalog listings. When I install plugs in a toyota I usually have to write down all of the numbers listed(about 5 or 6) and check them to see if they are the dual electrode.

 

I buy my plugs from the dealer.... denso brand, about $3 each.

 

Do you need twins on a 2.7?


Good thing you caught that, Im just glad I read this thread! Too bad I dont have an owners manual or I wouldnt need to ask

 

Funny, I just went through the same thing yesterday! decided to just go with Toyota Densos

 

Well, I guess I usually do ask for Denso. Maybe that is the problem. They didn't have them. I'll try the dealer next time

 

I've had good luck with sparkplugs.com

It definitely pays to know what part number you need. Don't always trust the guy behind the counter. Glad you caught it.

 

I still don't believe the Twin electrode business... I run singles on mine and gap them down since i run the S/C and I am running juuuust finnnne. I am an engineer and understand how spark ignition works and twin electrodes doesn't do anything special... It's a crock if you ask me.

 

I don't understand it either...

The manual says that you'll get more noise/interference with a single ground electrode. Meh.

 

Theoretically, wouldn't you get a more complete ignition of fuel/air with twice the spark?

Don't some motorcycle manufactures use 2 plugs per cylinder?

 

The twin ground electrodes simply give you better longevity/wear and longer service interval.

With your s/c you're checking/replacing your sparkplugs more often than the average joe who does the plugs at 20-25k miles and forgets about them until next time...

 

One more reason not to trust chain stores.

I am thinking about buying some of the quad side electrode plugs, so I can be cool.

 

You really aren't getting twice the spark, you are getting 2 paths of travel for the electricity to go; electricity travels through the path of least resistance, so you might get a slightly higher percentage of spark.

Some motorcycles, and some cars use twin plug ignition, these do in fact supply twice the spark, because you have two plugs, they use these for emissions purposes, much like the rotary engine that has a leading, and trailing plug to complete the ignition cycle, and decrease the possibility of detonation.

 

2 paths increases the spark distribution, ie surface area, for ignition.
2 is better than 1, but 4 does no better job than 2, from my experience

 

plus i have only seen the 4's in platnuim and it says very clearly in the book to NOT use those.

I just get the ones from the dealer right now but when i get the SC i will need to find some cooler ones.

 

The manager at a local Napa store in my town and I had a nice debate on how to run my aux. backup lamps. He told me to run a compacitor, I told him I needed a relay so that I could activate the lights when I put my vehicle in reverse. Needless to say I was right. I cannot stand auto parts stores, they cannot stand mechanics either. We have the experience and knowledge; parts guys only have a computer. I just buy my auto stuff online now.