How long does it take to restore fuel consumption after cleaning the throttle body?
2 Answers
After cleaning the throttle body, it generally takes about 50KM of driving to restore fuel consumption. Here are the relevant details: ECU re-adaptation: After cleaning the throttle body, it needs to be re-adapted with the vehicle's ECU. This is because the ECU has a memory function when adjusting the throttle opening angle, and it retains the state with carbon deposits. After cleaning, initialization is required for the throttle body to maintain the normal opening angle. Throttle Body: The throttle body is a controllable valve that regulates the air entering the engine. The air that enters the intake manifold mixes with gasoline to form a combustible mixture, which then burns to generate power. It connects to the air filter at the top and the engine block at the bottom, and is often referred to as the throat of the car engine.
I've been driving for decades and often clean the throttle body myself. After cleaning, it usually takes about 100 kilometers for the fuel consumption to stabilize because the engine computer needs to relearn the throttle position. In the first few days, fuel consumption might be a bit higher, especially in stop-and-go city traffic. It's recommended to drive more on highways to help the computer adapt faster. If it hasn't improved after 200 kilometers, you should check for other issues, like a dirty air filter or faulty fuel injectors. Don't worry, it usually recovers in about a week. Remember to drive gently and avoid stomping on the accelerator—it saves fuel and protects the car.
