I recently turned 60k on my 2000 X. I am happy to say that I have never had a problem with my Xterra. I change the oil every 3k and have a K & N air filter.

Is it time for new plugs and oxygen sensor?

My only gripe is that gas milage sucks but its what's posted 18-20 highway. I get less as the speed limit here in Florida is 70 so everyone cruises at 80 or so...

I'm sorry, but why can't people read their owner manuals?!?!? .... let alone search

Despite Grumpy there, welcome to XOC.

This is my personal advice.

I don't think that the Platinum Plugs need to be changed at 60K miles. And if the the O2 sensors are working, then they probably don't need to be changed. You could cause a problem changing them out with aftermarket units. And, you'd have to change out all 4! Not worth it.

Changing your fluids (diffs, t-case, trans flush, coolant, brake fluid, oil) and rinsing your radiator fins out with a garden hose (be careful not to bend any fins with high pressure water) would do your X a great service. A fuel injection service along with a fuel system cleaner such as BG44K, wouldn't hurt either.

But the plugs, eh, I'd leave 'em. O2 sensors, leave them as well.

My X didn't come with an owners manual.

Oh, and others may agree or disagree. It's just a personal opinion.

..... don't forget ...
Check the timing too, something very oftem forgoten and quite easy and inexpensive (might improve your gas millage).

I have read the owners manual several times... What the manual doesn't give is the collective experience and advice of fellow Xterra owners whose vehicles travel the broad spectrum of America and Canada. So my question was directed at those that may feel it's best to change the plugs at 60k regardless what the manual says based on their past and present experiences.

I like to keep my X in great running shape and if the putting new plugs in at 60k makes life better on the X then I'll spend $7 bucks a pop for new NGK's.

VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT!

Then if you don't mind spending the money, spend it.

New plugs are always good. But you may not feel anything after putting them in.

Change your fuel filter too.

Don't worry about the O2 sensors.

VOTE FOR.....the lesser of two evils, whomever that may be.

I changed my plugs at 60K as outlined in the service section of my 2000 manual.

Haven't done the o2 sensors yet.

I really don't have much to add to the conversation, except this.

This Land is Your Land

This has nothing to do with topic, but may help you decide who is the lesser of two evils, if not make you laugh your ass off.

2000 X has single-tipped platinum plugs supposedly good for about 60K, 02 got the double-tipped good for 100K or so. I replaced my platinums with NGK copper for about 1/6 the price. Copper provides a better spark, just lasts 1/2 as long as the single-tipped platinums. Which reminds me, I'm probably about due for another set now that I've hit 90K...

Brent

Jeff, I would change the plugs just to be sure the threads aren't seized up.

i put in the bosch platinum 4's actually makes a big difference.. i changed then at 48 k

now at 54 k and still kicking. if you are planning onkeeping the X for a long time and put lots of miles on these are the best..o2 not necessary til at least 75 k..

Most people report that the fancy-schmancy multi-tip plugs actually degrade performance in our engines.

Correct-a-mundo!

Bosch +4's suck teh cack. We've actually had vehicles fail emissions due to these things. NGK for Nissan, nothing else!

Thanks for all the input! I can tell you I put splitfires in my last Dodge Caravan- and it totally messed up my engine. It would lose power while driving and kick. I had such a hard time getting to the rear plugs ( transverse engine) that I had the dealer replace the plugs and take the splitfires out after a week. I will never again use modified plugs in my vehicles.

FYI I just purchased NGK's from a local auto parts store for $6.19 each and am going to put them in this weekend.

Smart, getting them from another parts store. We sell them for something like $14 each. Same exact plug!

Cyclemut... have one related and an unrelated question:

I just purchased an 01 SE V6 with 49K miles on it. It really looks babied, and is in near mint condition. It idles just a tad rough though. Is that indicative of needing a tune up, or is that okay? It doesn't start as easily as my now traded 98 JGC Limited did, I'm okay with that, if that is normal. Should I perform a tune up at 49K?

This X also has an autodimming mirror. There is nothing in the manual that tells me about it at all. Can you give me a link, or tell me what the light indicates? Does that just mean that it is activated? Now I feel stupid!

Thanks,
Splitter

Well, it sounds as if your base idle is tad low. Probably around the 500rpm range. It usually doesn't show until later in mileage, around what you have now. Most places won't check or set the base idle/timing during a tune-up. You really have to request it.

A tune up will never hurt. The only thing about doing it early is that you won't really feel the full benefit (like having a poorly running vehicle, then all of a sudden, runs like new). That's not really a problem, but don't expect to feel major results.

I'd reccomend having the base idle and base timing checked. If your new X was babied, then perhaps an intake cleaning may do some good. Carbon (from Grandma driving slow in the left lane while on the way to Church on Sunday) may have deposited on the valves, causing some minor idle instability.

As far as your mirror, yes, the light indicates it's on.

Try this. During the day, sit in your X with the key on (so the light in the mirror is also on) and feel around the back of the mirror with your finger. You'll feel a little divot. Cover the divot with a finger, and watch the mirror. It might take a little bit (maybe 10-15 seconds), but the mirror should dim (turn greenish-blue). That's about it for the mirror. Light on, auto dim on. Light off, no worky.

You are the man Cyclemut!

I will have my mechanic check the timing and base idle. I'm sure it is nothing.

Thanks for not laughing about the mirror.. I'm just so damned stoked with this truck!

I put six new NGK's in today. For those contemplating putting new plugs in your 6 banging X let me give you some important heads up.

First, the plugs that came in my X needed changing even though they only had 58,200 on them. I'm pretty sure they are platinum and they are NGK but the electrodes are not silver colored anymore.

Plugs 1-5 are fairly easy.

Plug # 6 is nightmare on Xterra Street.

You can't see it, you can't feel it and you can't get to it. You are working blind - kinda like that deaf dumb and blind boy who's so good at pinball. I can't play pinball as well as Tommy but changing sparkplugs isn't supposed to be so frustrating.

Plug #6's location must have been designed by the Japanese Diablo.

You will need a mirror - a little one to see whats down there. You really can't get your hand down there - the best you can hope for is getting your sparkplug socket to make contact and blindly turning it out and remembering the location for reinsertion. it's not that easy though... You will also need several extensions and a universal.

On a happy note, I don't have to do this for 100k!

If you have a 2000 Xterra with close to 60k you definitely want to change your plugs or have them changed at 60k- my plugs needed it.

"Todays spark plug change was almost as satisfying as sex...And I Didn't have to cuddle afterwards..."

"A vote for Bush is a wasted vote..."

I had almost no problems with the sixth plug.

It's much easier to get to if you unscrew and move aside the nearby brackets for the brake booster vacuum hose and throttle/cruise cables.

Also slide off the booster vacuum hose connection at the manifold.

I found a workable combination of tools to be plug socket / 3" extension / universal joint / 6" extension / rachet as needed.

You can look right down on the plug with mirror (situated behind the brake lines) to determine its orientation.

Here are the opereating instruction for your mirror.