Do You Need Fuel System Service?

What Is a Fuel Injector?

First, you should understand a bit about how your car’s engine operates. Fuel systems have changed drastically over the years. Old cars used to have a carburetor that fed fuel to the engine. However, carburetors were far from efficient and auto manufacturers eventually developed a fuel injection system that electrically controls fuel injection.

These complex systems provide accurate fuel monitoring so that when you stop on the gas, the fuel injector delivers just the right amount of fuel to your engine.  However, due to their complexity, these systems need periodic maintenance to ensure they run efficiently.

Why Do You Need Fuel Injector Cleaning?

Cleaning your fuel injector system helps remove fuel build-up and deposits, clears the intake valves and cylinder heads, and flushes out the entire fuel system.

Cleaning the fuel system periodically can ensure your car performs efficiently, extend the life of your car’s engine, improve engine performance, and increase fuel economy. Without proper cleaning, your fuel injector can also become clogged, which causes poor acceleration, lower power and can eventually lead to serious problems with your engine.

Fuel system cleaning can also reduce your vehicle’s carbon footprint by improving the fuel economy.

How Often Should You Clean Your Fuel System?

Fuel injection service sounds great, but how often does your vehicle need it. According to Kelly Blue Book, you don’t need to clean your fuel system as often as you’d think.

Contrary to older, carburetor-fueled systems that required periodic cleaning to prevent clogs, today’s systems have been designed with efficiency in mind.  Kelly Blue Book advises that owners should take a look at their owner’s manual for specific recommendations.

However, in general, newer vehicles don’t need fuel system service before 60,000 miles, unless a specific problem crops up. Kelly Blue Book also advises owners to keep a close eye on their vehicle’s fuel economy. If you notice a sharp downgrade in fuel economy over a few tanks of gas, it may indicate the need for a cleaning.

Keep an eye on your fuel economy and reference your owner’s manual for mileage recommendations. Once you’re sure your vehicle really needs it, contact Advantage Automotive at 925-829-9898 for an appointment.