i was about to do my spark plugs when a friend told me that i have to torque them to a certin setting or w/e he said if i dont i could blow the motor is he right?

 

I believe the manual says 18lbs of torque for the spark plug

 

16 or 18 i forget. either should be sufficient.

you dont want them too loose because they can break apart and get into the combustion chamber. if that happens and you're lucky the broken piece will run through the motor and hurt nothing and end up in the exhaust but that doesn't always happen...

 

...too tight and you'll strip the threads which is quite an expensive mistake.

 

The original spec (and less than optimal washers) led to many plugs backing out and engine failures. A recall introduced plugs with different washers and a higher torque spec. I have used 18 - 20 lb/ft with good results.