How Often Should the Automotive Lubrication System Be Cleaned?
2 Answers
Under normal circumstances, it is recommended to perform a cleaning every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers driven. For engines that have been using mineral oil or semi-synthetic oil for a long time, the cleaning interval should be appropriately shortened. If full synthetic oil has been used consistently, the cleaning interval can be extended to 20,000 to 25,000 kilometers, as full synthetic oil has strong self-cleaning capabilities. Recommendation: Lubrication system cleaning is best performed during an oil change. After cleaning, an oil protectant can be added to more effectively extend the service life of vehicle components and enhance engine power. Engine cleaning oil is commonly used for lubrication system cleaning. It is a maintenance product designed to remove harmful substances such as sludge, carbon deposits, and gum from inside the engine, keeping the engine internals clean, improving oil flow, reducing wear, and extending engine life. Typically, the old oil is drained first, then the cleaning oil is added, and the engine is idled for several minutes before the cleaning oil is drained completely. Finally, new oil is added, and any residual cleaning oil can mix with the new oil. Some believe that engine cleaning oil only serves a 'healthcare' role, acting as a nice-to-have addition. Others argue that it can effectively remove some oil sludge and has a certain effect on clearing carbon deposits.
I drive my car a lot, so cleaning the lubrication system is quite particular. I own a compact car, and the owner's manual recommends cleaning every 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers. However, I actually do it every three oil changes, roughly every 35,000 kilometers. Since I often drive in city traffic with frequent congestion, sludge builds up quickly. If not cleaned, it can clog the oil passages and increase engine noise. The cleaning cost is low, around a hundred bucks, and I have it done during regular maintenance at the repair shop to keep the engine lubricated smoothly, which also helps save some fuel. Don’t wait until the warning light comes on—follow the manual’s guidelines for the safest approach. For normal driving, clean every 40,000 kilometers, but reduce it to 25,000 for heavy-duty use. Remember, using high-quality oil can also reduce the frequency of cleaning.
