How Often Should the Intake System Be Cleaned?
2 Answers
Generally, the intake system should be cleaned every six months or every 20,000 kilometers. Below are the correct cleaning methods for a vehicle's intake system: 1. Park the vehicle securely, open the front hood, and install protective covers on the fenders and front bumper. Start the vehicle and observe until the coolant reaches normal operating temperature, then turn off the engine. Select appropriate tools and remove the intake hose. Install the intake atomizing nozzle onto the cleaning equipment. 2. Set the cleaning equipment's switch to the off position and add the intake system cleaner to the storage tank. Place the intake atomizing nozzle at the throttle body. Connect the air source and adjust the air pressure (pressure range: 0.1-0.2 MPa). Start the vehicle, turn on the fuel cleaning equipment switch, and observe the atomizing nozzle spraying liquid in an even mist for cleaning (idle cleaning). After cleaning, turn off the fuel cleaning equipment switch, disconnect the air source, release the pressure, and restore the equipment.
I learned car maintenance tips over a decade ago when I started driving. Cleaning the intake system really depends on personal habits. If you're constantly stuck in city traffic crawling at low speeds, with the engine idling most of the time, carbon buildup accumulates faster. You'd need to inspect and clean the throttle body and intake manifold roughly every 10,000 km. But if you frequently drive on highways where the engine runs more smoothly with less carbon deposits, you can extend the interval to 20,000 km. Neglecting cleaning leads to weak acceleration, soaring fuel consumption, noticeable idle vibration, and potential damage to spark plugs or oxygen sensors. Regular cleaning not only saves fuel costs but also extends engine life. I recommend adjusting intervals based on driving conditions rather than blindly following the manual—it's just a reference. The key is paying attention to symptoms yourself.
