How to Clean Carbon Deposits in a Car?

[ChristianMarie]

Methods to clean carbon deposits in a car include: 1. Adding fuel additives when refueling; 2. Engine disassembly cleaning; 3. Using a car drip cleaning method. The main components of carbon deposits in a car are: 1. Metal debris generated from engine friction and wear; 2. Dust from the air; 3. Sticky substances formed by the oxidation, thickening, and acidification of engine oil under high temperatures; 4. Paint films produced by the oxidation and concentration of lubricating oil. The effects of increased carbon deposits in a car are: 1. Difficulty in starting; 2. Insufficient horsepower, unstable acceleration, and shaking; 3. Air-fuel ratio imbalance; 4. Failure to meet emission standards; 5. Reduced combustion efficiency. Methods to prevent carbon deposits in a car include: 1. Waiting for 1 minute or 30 seconds before turning off the engine after reaching the destination; 2. Increasing shift RPM for manual transmission cars.

[VanElizabeth]

I've got plenty of experience dealing with carbon deposits in cars. Back when I first started driving, I often felt the throttle was sluggish and fuel consumption suddenly increased - turned out to be carbon buildup. Now I regularly add quality fuel system cleaners and deliberately rev higher on highways to flush it out. For places like the throttle body, it's not difficult to DIY clean with some spray cleaner bought online. But for stubborn carbon deposits inside the engine, you'll need professionals with walnut shell blasting equipment. Just last week I had it done at the shop - the mechanic said my 80,000km car produced half a bowl of black residue. Always remember not to cheap out on fuel - low-quality gasoline tends to leave more gummy deposits. Letting the engine idle for two minutes before shutting off also helps reduce carbon buildup.

[MiguelFitz]

I place great importance on preventing carbon buildup. I've developed two habits: adding a bottle of G17 cleaner to the fuel tank every month, and switching to manual mode during long drives to deliberately maintain 4000 RPM for ten minutes. Last year, I experienced an intake system cleaning at the 4S shop where they pressurized cleaning fluid into the intake system using specialized equipment—the results were significantly better than just using fuel additives. I always have the throttle body cleaned during routine maintenance; the mechanic finishes it in three minutes using carburetor cleaner. The key is regular observation—black smoke from the exhaust or difficulty during cold starts are signs of carbon buildup, and you shouldn't wait until the check engine light comes on to address it. Avoid frequent short trips at low speeds; weekend outings with the kids are a perfect opportunity to let the engine breathe.

[VanTyler]

Cleaning carbon deposits isn't as mysterious as it seems. My car has been running for five years with no noticeable carbon buildup issues - the key is using the right methods. Nowadays I request throttle body cleaning during every maintenance service, which most repair shops do for free. Highway driving is definitely the most cost-effective solution - make time for a monthly highway trip, keeping speeds around 100km/h for half an hour with deeper throttle application. When buying fuel additives, stick to major brands, and remember to fill the tank immediately after adding them for optimal dilution. Avoid unnecessary engine disassembly - only proceed with professional cleaning when diagnostics confirm it's needed, as over-maintenance can actually harm your vehicle. Developing a warm-up routine helps reduce cold-start carbon buildup, and frequent maintenance proves more practical than exhaust system modifications.