Is It Necessary to Clean the Fuel System at a 4S Shop?
2 Answers
It is necessary to clean the fuel system during car maintenance. Here is a detailed introduction about cleaning the car fuel system: 1. Cleaning interval: It is generally recommended to clean the fuel system every 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers driven. Considering the quality of domestic fuel, the ideal condition is to clean it every 20,000 kilometers. 2. Reasons for cleaning: If the fuel system is not cleaned for a long time, carbon deposits and sediments can clog the needle valves and valve holes of the fuel injectors, affecting the performance of the precision components in the injection system, leading to poor fuel injection, inadequate atomization, or even no injection. This can result in unstable idling, increased fuel consumption, poor acceleration, and difficulty starting the car.
I think cleaning the fuel system at a 4S shop depends on the specific situation. My car has been running for over four years, and recently I've clearly noticed weaker acceleration and slightly higher fuel consumption. During the last maintenance, the technician suggested a fuel system cleaning, explaining that frequent short-distance city commuting leads to incomplete fuel combustion, causing carbon buildup on the fuel injectors and throttle body. After the cleaning, the throttle response did improve noticeably. However, it's not necessary for every maintenance session—new cars or those mainly used for highway driving generally don't need it. It's usually recommended every 20,000-30,000 kilometers or when symptoms like acceleration hesitation or idle vibration appear. While fuel additives can help mitigate the issue, a thorough cleaning still requires professional equipment.
