ngk spark plugs

I decided to change my spark plugs today and called for some prices.I used
the spark plug number in my manual and called Honda first.They quoted me
102.00 plus taxes for all 6.(btw...2001 accord ex v-6)The plug the manual
lists is pzfr5f-11.
I then called a local parts place that sold ngk and they quoted me 27.00
each(162.00 for all six).I then went on the ngk website to see what was
recommended.The following ones were listed for my car.
v-power zfr5f-11
g-power zfr5fgp
laser pzfr5f-11#
iridium zfr5fix-11
I then went to crappy tire because I knew they carried nkg.I asked them to
look up my plugs because that guide they have hanging of the shelves didnt
even list anything for my car....nothing after 2000.They looked it up and
said Bosch platinums.I was curious why they didnt have any nkg's listed for
my car.
I then took my list(above)to the spark plug section.There I found ngk plugs
with the numbers zfr5f-11.Notice the only thing missing is the"p"in front of
that number listed in the manual?
Getting a little frustrated I bought them($6.29 for 2)and took them home and
installed them.The car seems to ride fine but am wondering if there is any
difference in those plugs?I realize the number is almost the same(other that
the"p" at the start but 1/5 the of the price has got me wondering.I changed
the plugs because I am only getting 15.5 miles per gallon.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

The "P" means "platinum". Your new plugs are regular ones. I'll bet your
manual calls for platinums.

You'll need to replace those a lot more often than platinums.

Here's what all that alphabet-soup gibberish means:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/NGK%20Spark%20Plug%20Chart.html

What did the old plugs look like? If your mileage is that bad, you've got
problems unrelated to the plugs. Is/was the Check Engine light on? Any
stored codes? How'd that car do at its last emissions test?

A bad pre-cat oxygen sensor can cause bad fuel mileage.

 

that makes sense,especially as far as the price goes.As far as the check
engine light,it hasn't been on since I got the car,but that was only about 9
months ago.The manual does call for the "p"plugs,or platinum,thanks to your
info.
I will at least see if my mileage improves with these plugs.
thx for the info and link!

 

That seems pretty ridiculous for a price. That
is the same number as used on my 98 civic, and I
replaced with platinums about 5 years ago. It
cost me $50 for 4.

Also I would recommend against Crappy tire
plugs, based purely on experience. My uncle ran
NGK plugs from CT, and the car was missing and
running like a pig. Took them out and put in
the SAME NGK plugs from Piston Ring (local
autoparts store here in the 'peg) and it ran
like new. Don't ask me why... Maybe CT and
Piston Ring use different manufacturers who hold
a license to produce the plug with the NGK name
on it?

t

 

actually,if you read the first reply to my post,you would have seen that
what I bought was non platinum plugs,that is why the "p" was missing from
the plug number.If they were platinum,they would have had the "p"in front of
the number.
As far as buying from Crappy tire,ngk plugs are ngk plugs...I simply didnt
buy the platinum ones....at the time I didn't know what I was buying.The
ones I got are fine,just that I will need to change them more often.As a
matter of fact,they didn't even carry the platinum ones.
thx

 

You get an occasional bad plug from all mfgs... some are better than
others, NGK is usually pretty good in my book. I've put in thousands of
them. It's also possible the box had been dropped or an insulator
cracked in the installation. Happens to the best of us once in a
while... it's life.

The plugs originated at the same place.

Erik

 

I got the iridium plugs that came out of my Honda V-6 for $65 from Car
Quest.


G-Man

 

must be later than 2001?

 

parts are cheaper in the US

 

Just planning on replacing them in 12 months. Unless you buy the 100,000
mile iridium plugs you'll need to replace them every year.


-jeff

 

I ordered a 4 set of Iridium NGK last year from NGK.com. Paid about $6
each. Still waiting for the right time to replace the regular NGK on
board my Four-Banger Accord.

My experience was that the car run much much smoother after new plug
installed. I can't wait to try the Iridium plug which should give a big
boost in spark quality.