2013 Mazda 3 Spark Plug Change

I have decided to take on a Spark Plug change on my 2013 Mazda 3 with the SkyActiv engine. This required a bit more research then anticipated as the spark plug socket was difficult to find, and the spark plugs were not widely available. I was able to find spark plugs at Canadian Tire, and the Spark Plug Socket at Princess Auto in Edmonton, Alberta. This job should take between 30 and 45 minutes, and cost me $115 as a DIY project, which represents a $200 savings over the quote from the Mazda Dealership.
You can also check this out on my website - diynorth.com/p...
Tools Used:
14 mm spark plug socket - amzn.to/2UB8P6d
NGK Laser Iridium plugs - ILKAR7L11 (94124) - amzn.to/3f4A0Q6
Spark plug gap gauge - amzn.to/3lCbZ5q
Dielectric grease - amzn.to/38Nk3g3
Anti-seize - amzn.to/2UvYTef
Torque Wrench - amzn.to/2UzoTWc
Socket wrench and socket extension; and
10 mm deep socket;
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of DIYNorth, DIYNorth cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. DIYNorth assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. DIYNorth recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of DIYNorth, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not DIYNorth.

[@staceyt778]

Another winner from DIYNorth!! Took me less than an hour (no mounting bracket on the non-skyactive engine). Easiest maintenance ever

[@DIYNorth]

it is pretty easy, everything should be right on top and easy to access.

[@JohnMillerUSA]

Well done video. TIP: If you don't have an air compressor, you can use a leaf blower and get the same effect while clearing out debris around the engine. Also, after removing the coil pack but before removing the four spark plugs, I blow out the shaft to the plug with the leaf blower. You don't want even the smallest grit falling down into the combustion chamber.

[@DIYNorth]

Thanks for watching and for the advice.

[@benjamingonjin4972]

If you’re good with your hands always do it yourself, taught myself how to replace a full suspension and saved $1,700, only had to pay for the $400 front and rear struts

[@DIYNorth]

That's a worth while savings for sure

[@reeeek2017]

Great info and camera angles I'll do this next Month

[@DIYNorth]

thanks for watching, good luck on you spark plug change.

[@OscarPerez-uu5tr]

Is it recommended to change the coils as well? At what mileage should the coils be replaced? Great video by the way 👏

[@DIYNorth]

Thanks for the feedback. I have never seen an ignition coil replacement schedule, and I have never had to buy a new coil. Unless there was an issue with the ignition system I would just leave them.

[@ashleycarter2890]

Thx for including links in the video

[@DIYNorth]

No problem, thanks for watching

[@deshanchathura]

BTW, did you continue using 0W-20 synthetic oil even after the total mileage exceeded 100k miles or used a different grade?

[@DIYNorth]

I'm still using the exact same stuff. It's at 260k (km). About 163k miles. No issues with it.

[@deshanchathura]

@@DIYNorth Thanks again

[@elenaberwick3980]

I am aware that a manual recommends to disconnect one battery terminal and you have done it. But, what for? Unless someone starts a vehicle, there is no power going to spark plugs and hence no voltage. So, why disconnect a battery?

[@DIYNorth]

I don't think that there is a need to pull the battery terminal when working on the spark plugs on this vehicle. There are other more sensitive components that would necessitate the terminal to be pulled, but I don't consider the spark plugs to be one of those things. It seems to be the thing to do when working on anything electrical.

[@deshanchathura]

TFS. Very informative

[@DIYNorth]

no problem, thanks for watching

[@scotthughes7440]

Great video. I'm going to do this for my daughter's car.

[@DIYNorth]

thanks for watching and good luck

[@DriveByReviews]

What about the boot change on the coil packs?

[@DIYNorth]

I've never changed the coils on any vehicle that I've owned and never had one fail. That said it is a good idea for a future video on my vehicles and I may add that to the list for the spring.

[@DriveByReviews]

@DIYNorth I mean just the boot, doesn't the mazda 3 recommend boot change every time? it's the rubber boot on the bottom of the coil

[@DIYNorth]

I'm not sure if they recommend it or not.

[@lalocastillo7738]

Thanks for this video

[@DIYNorth]

Thanks for checking it out.

[@magellenthefelon]

So, you didn't need to gap them, right?

[@DIYNorth]

You are not supposed to adjust the gap on iridium plugs. I just test them to see if they are within specification

[@張中-q8r]

​@@DIYNorthyou used different spark plugs are for2011 some 2012 not skyactivc original spark plugs have double tips

[@DIYNorth]

@@張中-q8r I'm not entirely certain what you are saying here, but this is a 2013. I bought it new from a Mazda dealer in 2013, and the first time the plugs were removed from the engine was in this video. So I can say with absolute certainty, that those are the plugs that came with that vehicle.

[@張中-q8r]

@@DIYNorth I have one of the first mazda3 skyactivc 2012 got it new in November of 2011 currently 220000 miles still running like New changed spark plugs at every 100000 miles also All fluid filter changed well keep, For my original spark plugs both side of plugs have tips plugs # are Bosh # 9683 . NGK Ruthenium HX 92274 Or Mazda # is in owner manual

[@張中-q8r]

Gap should be @ 0.03 to 0.034 inch

[@MrTraderon]

What is the gap amount?

[@DIYNorth]

The plugs are non-adjustable, so come pre-gapped at .044. This is specific to the sky active engine and may be different for other types of Mazda 3 engines.

[@MrTraderon]

@@DIYNorth thanks!

[@fefe1920]

Hey I have the same car- but how do you know when you need to change them? I have 70,000 miles on it

[@DIYNorth]

The owner's manual that I have says to change them every 120,000 km, which is 75,000 miles. The intervals are sometimes different based on where you live. You could pull them and check the condition and gap, but in my opinion, if you are going to take the time to inspect them, you might want to just get new plugs to put in.

[@fefe1920]

DIYNorth awww man I wish you live in Philadelphia- I would’ve paid you to change them😌 thanx for the info - love your videos btw n I’m subscribed 👍🏽

[@jamesdavies686]

You said 14mm spark plug socket but around the 4:29 mark it looks like 9/16" socket.

[@DIYNorth]

That is good attention to detail. The plug is 14 mm, but the the socket I have has 14 mm - 9/16 stamped on it. It seems a bit odd because 9/16 is actually slightly larger than 14 mm. I had to go pull the socket out and look, but yes it has both a metric and imperial measurement on it. You can see the 14 mm at around 4:34 - 4:36. As such it you can't get a 14 mm socket, a 9/16 would most likely work. For the most part everything on this mazda is metric so I don't really think to mention an imperial conversion.

[@jamesdavies686]

@@DIYNorth I just did mine this afternoon. I tried the new NGK Ruthenium HX plugs. Everything went smoothly. My torque wrench minimum spec is 20ft lbs so I had to go by feel. I just did a little over a 1/4 turn after it snugged up.

[@DIYNorth]

@@jamesdavies686 I'm glad it went well for you. I used 10 foot pounds which as I recall is slightly on the low side. Everything that I've read indicates that if you put anti-seize on the plugs when you put them in you should go slightly lower on the torque spec.

[@mdashiqurrahman39]

You should never use any kind of dielectric grease or anti-seize when you are changing spark plugs. Most iridium spark (other spark plugs should be the same) plugs are coated. I would use anti-seize when changing O2 sensors.

[@DIYNorth]

I'm fairly confident that I mentioned that the anti-seize isn't necessarily required and also that I backed off the torque used to accommodate the use of anti-seize. As for dielectric grease, that is what it is used for.

[@sarahobrien3379]

Do the connectors have 3 or 4 pins?

[@DIYNorth]

Is this regarding the ignition coils? Mine appear to have 4 pins. I would recommend taking the plastic engine cover off and removing an electrical connector and see what you've got if you have to order something.

[@sarahobrien3379]

@@DIYNorth okay thanks :)

[@Mooseguy15]

wait a second, you're telling me the gap was the same as the new ones? Why even replace them. It had to be used at least a little?

[@DIYNorth]

I changed them out because I went over the recommended replacement interval by 20,000 km. But yes, what I am telling you is that I could not see a perceptible difference in the gap between the old and new plugs.

[@alexandermcdole8464]

I'm about to change my plugs this weekend, You telling me these things cost that much? Hell what's so special about this motor? It's not a lamborghini, it's has to be done tho.

[@DIYNorth]

Yeah...they aren't cheap. They do last a long time, and honestly the ones I pulled out are in very good shape at about 100k miles. But it's not like you want to spend an hour doing this job just to inspect them.

[@alexandermcdole8464]

@@DIYNorth I'm at 126k

[@Trump-The-GREATEST]

Damn! My 2013 535i M Sport BMW's spark plugs cost less than $8 each and are OEM Bosh! Its the same spark plug branded as BMW Bosh that cost $19 each. lol

[@DIYNorth]

Mazda don't play when it comes to spark plug price.

[@bootchop88]

amazon say 4 spark plug for 24.99 prime