Mileage: 18465 MY: 2005
So 6 year old plugs with low mileage, what's the prognosis?

Also ran in to a slight issue when changing plugs: on the last plug the socket slipped off the extension (even with tape around it) so I had to loosen the spark plug to take the socket out, since the plugs are NGK and already have a coating on them from the factory, I applied a little bit of anti-seize on the last one and put it back in, is that bad?

 

My prognosis is those things shouldn't have been changed. They look flawless.

 

heres another pic: no flash this time

 

I think these look normal as far as color and air/fuel mixture.

It's always good to change spark plugs though.
Iridium last a bit longer.

Regular ones start to wear in about a year and you'll notice the tips eroding away like this:

 

my idle became a lot smoother and the idle "shuddering" is gone, also feels like it pulls without hesitation down low.

 

I think that's your imagination, because there is nothing wrong with those plugs. They're even iridiums to boot.

 

lots of life left in those plugs, center electrodes were not worn much, the engine is burning well, no oil burning. Those are platinum oem plugs not IRs as mentioned above. A little antisieze wont hurt though they (manufacturer) dont recommend it with new coated plugs. You should check the torque on the plugs once and a while to make sure it doesn't back out and loosen up.

 

FWIW.....I run NGK V-Power copper plugs in all my cars.My 03S likes the NGK BKR6E.Runs nice & smooth,good power & econ and @ $2ea,hard to beat.

Since a plug change is only 30 min,I chng them every year or 15k.

\rlr
carolina

 

i would check/adjust the gap this will give you an idea of how they are wearing and clean the contact areas gently.

 

Your's look a lot better than these