how come spark plugs are so spendy now?

[zzyzzx]

They don't sell spark plugs anymore?

In the stores they either don't have them, or the selection is severely limited compared to years past. Possibly only lawnmower plugs now.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

They contain precious metals that help the plug last the life of the car. Never hear of anyone changing spark plugs any more.

I BEEN planning to change plugs in the wife's car that has approx 104,000mi on it and just can't get around to it. The car still runs like brand new but I guess based on past experience and manufacturer recommendations they will be changed. I will get to it when I have one of my good days (not many/spine issues/arthritis...) or my nephew will end up doing it like he does most of my work these days. The car runs so well right now it makes one wonder how long those plugs would last.

 

[mikeduf]

I know this sounds fearful but,! But I don't really trust most retailers or online shopping anymore unless I know for sure that it is not a counterfeit. That is almost impossible because everything is from China and the Chinese can copy things perfectly. They are one of the best at doing that. And some of the products are as good or better than OEM. It's pathetic but that's the world we live in.

 

[zzyzzx]

I BEEN planning to change plugs in the wife's car that has approx 104,000mi on it and just can't get around to it. The car still runs like brand new but I guess based on past experience and manufacturer recommendations they will be changed. I will get to it when I have one of my good days (not many/spine issues/arthritis...) or my nephew will end up doing it like he does most of my work these days. The car runs so well right now it makes one wonder how long those plugs would last.

I've been thinking about plugs on my 1999 Alero, but at 90K miles it might only need to be cleaned and regapped, if anything.

 

[The motor guy]

I want to say it was 5 or more years ago that Walmart did a reset in the Automotive section and removed almost all of their spark plug offerings save a few for OPE stuff.

I speculate once the market shifted more towards the more expensive Iridium plugs, that they now became a more susceptible item for theft. I can remember times of seeing people do the switcheroo of swapping Platinum and Copper plug packaging to get the Platinum's for Copper plug pricing.

Yeah but at the same time they have a million other items that can easily be thrown into your pocket real quick. My guess is modern cars don't need tuneups much these days. Nothing but oil and air filter changes

 

[Hootbro]

Yeah but at the same time they have a million other items that can easily be thrown into your pocket real quick. My guess is modern cars don't need tuneups much these days. Nothing but oil and air filter changes

Walmart is pretty smart. They got it down to a science of what sells and what is worth their time and floor space.

 

[willbur]

Sad but likely TRUE in some stores. I notice one can shop different Walmarts and you will find certain items under lock and key. Then at another Walmart just 15 miles away , the same items are not locked up. I have gotten lately to where any automotive products I buy that I want to be sure (well as sure as one can be?) that I am not sold knock off or junk parts , I been getting mine from dealership or NAPA only.

Theft is so high that Walmart in Ca is closing 46 stores bc of it.

 

[circuitsmith]

they move stuff around all the time and every walmart arranged differently for some reason. Makes no sense.

Each store arranged by individual managers?

 

[willbur]

Each store arranged by individual managers?

dunno that...

 

[willbur]

Theft is so high that Walmart in Ca is closing 46 stores bc of it.

my mistake- 11 stores to be closed. the rest maybe. Poor financial management and theft are the reasons

 

[chris719]

Theft is so high that Walmart in Ca is closing 46 stores bc of it.

This is a lie. Walmart closed 6 or 11 (depending on what you count a "Walmart" as) of 286 stores in CA.

Walmart themselves have said over 50% of their $6.5B theft losses are from self checkout, which I'm pretty sure is not a regional phenomenon. That is also 6.5 billion of their 648 billion revenue for FY 23.

 

[chris719]

NKG Iridiums for my BMW 3 series F30 late (N20) are now approaching $30 from reputable sources. Possibly the only benefit of a 4 banger vs. a 6 banger. Replace every 60K miles. Been around this price for a while now. Been holding off DIY service with considerable anxiety as I read about all the counterfeits out there.

NGK plugs for N20 are $14 from ECS and FCP Euro.

 

[willbur]

This is a lie. Walmart closed 6 or 11 (depending on what you count a "Walmart" as) of 286 stores in CA.

Walmart themselves have said over 50% of their $6.5B theft losses are from self checkout, which I'm pretty sure is not a regional phenomenon. That is also 6.5 billion of their 648 billion revenue for FY 23.

it was not a lie- it was an honest mistake. You don't make honest mistakes? There is always one that loves to do a "gotcha" to feel better