How fuel additives clean your car’s engine and fuel system
Over time, your vehicle’s fuel system can get a little dirty as carbon deposits build up and other pollutants clog the area.
For most drivers, filling up their car with gas is a daily habit. But what is less well known is how dirty a car’s fuel system can get over time.
Using poor quality gas without additional fuel additives or detergents can contaminate the fuel system and injectors. Although using higher quality fuel helps, you can also provide additional cleaning yourself by adding a fuel injector cleaner or fuel system cleaner to your gas tank from time to time.
Why does my fuel system get dirty?
Over time, carbon deposits build up within the fuel system, fouling it along with the fuel injectors. Dirt and debris from the fuel pump can also enter the system. If these contaminants are not removed, they can continually build up and cause fuel system blockages. This can damage your car and will cost you a lot of money to repair if something goes wrong.
What does fuel injector cleaner do?
Fuel injector cleaner is an additive that is injected directly into the gas tank to remove carbon deposits and other contaminants from the injectors. This improves fuel economy, improves throttle response and reduces carbon emissions.
How are fuel system cleaners different?
Although similar in name to fuel injector cleaners, the system cleaner variant is more hygienic. Fuel system cleaners not only remove contaminants from fuel injectors, but also clean the fuel system. These are added to your vehicle in the same way as fuel injector cleaner.
How to use it and how often?
Adding it to your tank is very easy. When about a quarter of the tank is left, pour the additive into the same opening you used to fill the gas tank and fill the rest with gas.
Each brand of fuel additive has instructions regarding the number of miles between uses. Many fuel system and injector cleaners recommend using them approximately every 5,000 miles.
Kenan Thompson is a car culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Keenan at kthompson@freepress.com. Follow him on Instagram @keenanaautos. To sign up automotive newsletter. become a subscriber.
