How to Know When Your Car Needs a Fuel System Service

How to Know When Your Car Needs a Fuel System Service

Has your local auto service center recommended a fuel system cleaning service?

If the answer is “Yes”, you may be wondering what kind of services this is and why your car needs it. Here are a couple of tips to help you better understand why would a fuel system service be beneficial for you and your vehicle:

What’s a Fuel Injector?

Over the years, fuel systems have changed significantly. Older cars and trucks used to have a carburetor that brought fuel to the engine. However, carburetors were anything but efficient, so the car manufacturers decided not to use them anymore and instead, introduce a fuel injection system that controls fuel injection electrically.

These sophisticated systems offer accurate fuel monitoring so the moment you decided to accelerate, the fuel injector provides the right amount of fuel to the engine. However, because of their complexity, these systems require periodic maintenance to ensure their efficiency.

Why Do You Need Fuel Injector Cleaning?

The service of fuel injector cleaning helps remove fuel build-ups and deposits, clears the cylinder heads and intake valves, and flushes out the entire fuel system.

The regular cleaning of the fuel system ensures the efficient performance of your car, extends the life of the engine, increases fuel economy, and improved engine performance. Also, without proper and timely cleaning, the fuel injector can become clogged, which in turn, causes lower power, poor acceleration and could eventually lead to serious engine problems.

Last but not least, fuel system cleaning can reduce the carbon footprint of your vehicle by improving the fuel economy.

How Often Should the Fuel System Be Cleaned?

Fuel injection service does sound great, but how often does your car need it? According to many experts around the automotive industry, there’s no need to clean your fuel system as often as you might suspect.

The carburetor-fueled systems require regular cleaning to prevent clogs, however, today’s modern systems have been designed efficiently. It’s best to look at your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.

Generally speaking, modern vehicles do not require fuel system service before 60,000 miles, unless a specific problem pops up. You should also keep a close eye on the fuel economy of your car.

If you notice a sudden downgrade in fuel economy, over several tanks of gas, it may indicate the need for a fuel system cleaning.

Having a fuel system service, performed on your engine, can keep it running efficiently and smoothly. However, bear in mind that there’s no need to have this service as often as your auto mechanics might suggest.

Keep a close eye on the car’s fuel economy and consult with your owner’s manual for mileage recommendations. Once you’re certain that your car needs it, get in touch with your local auto service center and schedule your appointment for a fuel system service.