Is It Normal for Fuel Consumption to Increase After Cleaning the Throttle Body?
2 Answers
After cleaning, the fuel injector's spray diameter increases, resulting in more fuel being injected per unit time, which leads to higher fuel consumption. This is a normal phenomenon. Here are specific methods to reduce fuel consumption: 1. Lightly press the accelerator: When starting at low speeds, the car enters a peak fuel consumption zone. Therefore, gently pressing the accelerator during startup prevents excessively high RPMs and effectively reduces fuel consumption. 2. Avoid high RPMs: Try to avoid unnecessary high RPMs as fluctuating engine speeds can significantly increase fuel usage. 3. Regular maintenance: Change the engine oil and remove carbon deposits periodically. 4. Avoid sudden braking: Anticipate road conditions in advance to avoid sudden braking, which not only enhances driving safety but also saves fuel. For example, gradually slowing down before traffic lights and utilizing inertia to coast.
After my last throttle body cleaning, the fuel consumption did increase a bit, which really worried me at first. The mechanic said this is normal because the engine ECU needs a few days to relearn the air flow. Before cleaning, carbon deposits were blocking it, and now with smooth airflow, the ECU mistakenly thinks it needs to inject more fuel to adapt. They recommended driving about 150 kilometers, maintaining steady driving without frequent hard braking or acceleration. It should return to normal after a week. If it stays high, check if the throttle body was cleaned properly or if there's any air leakage. Don't neglect regular maintenance—periodic throttle body cleaning can reduce this hassle.
