Short spark plugs?

Hello, I just purchased a 2012 Mazda5 and was going to do some basic maintenance to keep things fresh and know the dates parts were changed. I took out the spark plugs and noticed the ones I ordered (that said fit my vehicle) had more thread than the ones already in the car.


The ones in the car are azfs32fe. The ones I purchased are ltr5ahx (I know). AutoZone shows the azfs32fe as an alternative fit and the ltr5ahx as an exact fit (did the guy just buy the cheapest spark plugs at the time?). I got confused so I started looking for an engine code and found this...


It says L510573266. Do I have an L5 engine? Rockauto says I should have an L4. They're both 2.5L, yes? What spark plugs do I need?
 
Are you able to get a pic of the engine's VIN number? To confirm you have the 2.5 MZR and not swapped with a 2.5 Duratec - kissing cousins but slightly different.

If it matches then the owner prob just got something their local store had in stock. I like Motorcraft stuff but I'd highly recommend staying with NGK spark plugs. They are the OEM provider and have multiple price tiers to fit any budget. What you have is correct.
 
My opinion is go to the Mazda dealer. They will take your vin and tell you EXACTLY what you need since you are unsure regarding the original owner's possible replacement. They will gladly sell you the plugs or you can take the part number and obtain the correct ones elsewhere.

Autozone or Amazon, did not build your car. Do not trust them for part fitment.

Edit: Or use that NGK link above...I would trust it more. I would still call the Mazda dealer though. It costs nothing.
 
My opinion is go to the Mazda dealer. They will take your vin and tell you EXACTLY what you need since you are unsure regarding the original owner's possible replacement. They will gladly sell you the plugs or you can take the part number and obtain the correct ones elsewhere.

Autozone or Amazon, did not build your car. Do not trust them for part fitment.

Edit: Or use that NGK link above...I would trust it more. I would still call the Mazda dealer though. It costs nothing.

I think I used the NGK site to order the spark plugs. But I'll call the local dealer next time baby goes to sleep. Hopefully they can help me figure this out. Don't want to risk putting in the wrong sparks
 
Okay so I called the dealership and they asked for the last 8 of my vin. He provided me with this spark plug part number

l3y218110

He said I should try to cross reference them. I asked about checking what my engine code should be and he said that wasn't something they could do there. I believe I'm now further from where I started
 
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Just get them from the dealer. That part number he gave you looks good. I checked it on Partsouq.com with your VIN and your vin matched a prior part number for that plug (see below). I would buy four LFJD-18-110-9U from the dealer and you'll sleep well.

Taken from dealer web site:
  • LFJD-18-110-9U
  • Description:
    2.5L. 2.0L without skyactiv. Without mazdaspeed6, 2.3L. Fomoco.
  • Condition:New
  • Replaces:0000-18-L3Y2, L3Y2-18-110, LFG1-18-110, LFJD-18-110

2015 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2014 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2013 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2013 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2013 Mazda 6i2.5L L4 - Gas
2012 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2012 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2012 Mazda 6i2.5L L4 - Gas
2012 Mazda CX-7SV, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2011 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2011 Mazda 6i2.5L L4 - Gas
2011 Mazda CX-7SV, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2011 Mazda Tributei2.5L L4 - Gas
2010 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2010 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.3L L4 - Gas
2010 Mazda 6i2.5L L4 - Gas
2010 Mazda CX-7SV, Sport2.5L L4 - Gas
2010 Mazda TributeHybrid, i2.5L L4 - Electric/Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2009 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.3L L4 - Gas
2009 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.3L L4 - Gas
2009 Mazda 6i2.5L L4 - Gas
2009 Mazda TributeHybrid, i2.5L L4 - Electric/Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2008 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.3L L4 - Gas
2008 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.3L L4 - Gas
2008 Mazda 6i2.3L L4 - Gas
2007 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.3L L4 - Gas
2007 Mazda 6Mazdaspeed, i2.3L L4 - Gas
2006 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.3L L4 - Gas
2006 Mazda 6Mazdaspeed, i2.3L L4 - Gas
 
Just get them from the dealer. That part number he gave you looks good. I checked it on Partsouq.com with your VIN and your vin matched a prior part number for that plug (see below). I would buy four LFJD-18-110-9U from the dealer and you'll sleep well.

Taken from dealer web site:
  • LFJD-18-110-9U
  • Description:
    2.5L. 2.0L without skyactiv. Without mazdaspeed6, 2.3L. Fomoco.
  • Condition:New
  • Replaces:0000-18-L3Y2, L3Y2-18-110, LFG1-18-110, LFJD-18-110

2015 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2014 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2013 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2013 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2013 Mazda 6i2.5L L4 - Gas
2012 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2012 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2012 Mazda 6i2.5L L4 - Gas
2012 Mazda CX-7SV, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2011 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2011 Mazda 6i2.5L L4 - Gas
2011 Mazda CX-7SV, Sport, Touring2.5L L4 - Gas
2011 Mazda Tributei2.5L L4 - Gas
2010 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2010 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.3L L4 - Gas
2010 Mazda 6i2.5L L4 - Gas
2010 Mazda CX-7SV, Sport2.5L L4 - Gas
2010 Mazda TributeHybrid, i2.5L L4 - Electric/Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2009 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.3L L4 - Gas
2009 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.3L L4 - Gas
2009 Mazda 6i2.5L L4 - Gas
2009 Mazda TributeHybrid, i2.5L L4 - Electric/Gas, 2.5L L4 - Gas
2008 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.3L L4 - Gas
2008 Mazda 5Grand Touring, Sport, Touring2.3L L4 - Gas
2008 Mazda 6i2.3L L4 - Gas
2007 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.3L L4 - Gas
2007 Mazda 6Mazdaspeed, i2.3L L4 - Gas
2006 Mazda 3S, i2.0L L4 - Gas, 2.3L L4 - Gas
2006 Mazda 6Mazdaspeed, i2.3L L4 - Gas
So looking at the LFJD-18-110-9U, does that mean the shorter double platinum spark plugs the the PO put in are the wrong length?

Also, thanks for the help. This is driving me crazy

Well ill be changing the valve cover gaskets Saturday. So maybe then when i have the cover off i can see how much thread is actually in the head and compare the two thread lengths i have
 
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Well, cross referencing them, it appears they are considered compatible. The threads don't so much matter as the length of the electrode.

Your VIN has an engine code in it:

jm1cw2bl6c0112272

j = Japan (build location)
m1 = Mazda
cw2b = Car Attributes.
L = Engine
6 = Security Code
c = Model Year
0 = Plant code.
112272 = Consecutive Unit number.

You can plug your VIN in here and also get a bunch of info:

So the L in the VIN does decode out to a 2.5L. I don't have a list of Mazda engine codes to compare against.

L4 just means an inline 4 cylinder engine. L5 means nothing to me. And the rock auto part number, I can't find.

Edit: I do see on the NHTSA site "L5X" for the engine type. No idea on that nomenclature. But they do say 2.5L engine for this car.
 
Just as an update
I changed the valve cover gasket and while I had the cover off, I got to inspect the thread on the head. Measured it out and it looks like the PO really just bought shorter spark plugs that "fit" to save 8$. Upon putting my new spark plugs in it accelerated smoother and I got better gas mileage. So so much for the PO trying to save money

Next up, trans filter (already changed fluid once and it was black, now to do filter and ATF again) and power steering fluid (looks black)
 
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