2003 Sonata V6 Spark plugs

OK, I gave up trying to figure out which the Champion plug and went with the
NGK plugs that everyone agreed with. But now I have a question on those.
The manual says the gap should be .039 - .043, but all of the web sites
state it should be .044 for the NGK plug (in the Sonata). I'm not even sure
I can measure the difference. There's a statement on the plug box to the
effect that the gap should not be changed so as not damage the center
electrode. I know in the past when I have checked the gap of new plugs that
they were generally the same as what the manual asked for. What has others
done when replacing the plugs? Leave them as is if pretty close or change
the gap? To what?
thanks

 

I used to check every plug before putting them in but finally gave up
because they really are gapped properly from the factory. Now I just put
them in.

 

Agree with Mike here, except that you should at least look at the plugs t
be sure they haven't dropped and mashed the electrodes together. Won't b
fun if the plug in question is in the back bank