Is Fuel System Cleaner Necessary for Maintenance?

[LaJude]

It is not necessary; simply changing the engine oil and oil filter is sufficient. Additional extended information is as follows: 1. Introduction to the Fuel System: The fuel system generally consists of the fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injector, etc., and its function is to ensure the fuel flow required by the engine under various working states and conditions. 2. Function and Principle: The fuel system undertakes fuel filling and transportation, ensuring that fuel smoothly reaches the engine to provide power for its operation. It is also responsible for collecting fuel vapor and filtering it before releasing it into the atmosphere. The adsorption and desorption principle of the evaporation system is that fuel vapor is generated in the fuel tank due to changes in ambient temperature. When the vapor pressure exceeds the system's set pressure, the system's bidirectional valve opens, allowing the fuel vapor to enter the charcoal canister, where it is adsorbed by activated carbon. When the internal pressure of the system is lower than the set pressure, the bidirectional valve opens, allowing outside air to enter the system through the charcoal canister to replenish it. When the engine is running, the ECU detects the conditions for opening the charcoal canister purge valve, the purge valve opens, and the fuel vapor enters the engine under the negative pressure of the intake manifold to participate in combustion.

[JonathanLynn]

I've been driving my own car for several years and feel that fuel system cleaner is necessary to use periodically. Mainly because city driving involves a lot of stop-and-go traffic, which can easily lead to carbon buildup. Over time, this can cause unstable engine idle and increased fuel consumption. It's generally recommended to do it every 20,000 kilometers—just add it directly to the fuel tank, which is simple to operate. However, don’t waste money on it for the first 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers of a new car; wait until after the break-in period. Also, cars that frequently drive long distances on highways accumulate less carbon, so the interval can be extended. Remember to choose products from reputable brands, as those from small workshops might corrode the fuel lines.

[Arianna]

From my experience, fuel system cleaning is like giving your engine a check-up. Especially for older vehicles, the fuel injectors can easily get clogged with deposits, and adding a cleaning agent can dissolve these impurities. However, not all cars need it urgently. For example, if you've just completed a long trip or regularly use high-quality gasoline, carbon buildup is significantly reduced. I recommend watching for these signs: difficulty starting when cold, jerky acceleration, or pungent exhaust fumes—these are indicators that it's time for a cleaning. A single cleaning costs around a hundred bucks, much cheaper than disassembling the engine for cleaning. But don't fall for the dealership's hype about excessive maintenance.

[DeJoy]

Maintenance is all about balance. Fuel system cleaners can indeed remove carbon deposits from the fuel lines and extend engine life. But don't use them indiscriminately: regular cleaners have poor effects on direct injection engines, so you need to choose specialized ones; you can skip it right after a major engine overhaul; modified performance vehicles require even more careful product selection. My personal experience suggests doing it every three years or 50,000 kilometers, and the effect is better when combined with high-speed driving. Over-cleaning might actually damage seals, a point that's often overlooked.