My car has about 2k mil now, and it had an oil change at 1.5k mil. I have been using 93 in my car, but it pings at idle after a 30 min highway driiving. Do you think I need to change one step cooler spark plugs in my car?

 

It's a new car and if you feel something is not right...just take it to the dealer to look at it.

 

I understand your point, but the dealer will retard the car's timing to fix the problem. I want to see if the cause of the problem is the spark plugs running too hot. Is anyone has the similar issue?

 

Why did you have a OIL change at 1,500 miles???
Aren't we supposed to do oil changes every 3K or 3.5K?

 

I have pings before the oil change, so the oil change is not related to this issue. Anyway, it seems like I am the only one who have the pinging problem. I guess I will pay a visit to the dealer soon.

 

Fortunately, I haven't noticed any pinging in my car. For a while I heard something I thought might be pinging, especially with the windows down at low rpms, but I now think it's just tranny flutter.

Hope it's not pinging, and if it is, good luck.

 

Did you check the level of the oil after the change? Sometimes on cold start-up (when oil is in the pan) one can hear clicking coming from the cam sproket area from lack of lubrication.....I wonder if a low oil level would cause the same sound?

 

Do you mean the ping is heard when accellerating from idle, or do you mean it's pinging while just idling?????

You should not hear any pinging in your engine at all using good (ie fresh, non contaminated) 93 octane fuel. If you are hearing pinging, then there is something wrong and the dealer should not "just retard the timing"
What he should do is check that the timing is to spec. It's not difficult to check the engine normal operating temp either, just to be sure it's not overheating. (temp gauge reading different???)
If it still pings, then he should find out what is causing the ping.

Unless running forced induction (higher pressures and temps), I would run the stock plugs. they should be just fine, yes even in hot weather

C.

 

Thanks, you're the MAN

 

Well, I changed oil at 1200 since I was just past the breakin point, and want my engine to last a long time.

As for temperature, after it warms up, I don't believe I have ever seen the guage at anything but just in the middle. Whether in the winter or when it is > 100.

My 2004 hasn't ever pinged to my knowledge either, whether on 87 or 91.