Reasons for Increased Fuel Consumption After Throttle Body Cleaning
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Cleaning the throttle body causes the fuel injector's spray diameter to increase, resulting in more fuel being injected per unit time and thus higher fuel consumption. Below are relevant details about throttle body cleaning: Reasons for increased fuel consumption: Increased fuel consumption after throttle body cleaning is normal and occurs in most vehicles. Previously, when the throttle body was dirty, especially at small throttle openings, the actual passage diameter became smaller due to carbon buildup, reducing air intake. To maintain the air-fuel ratio, the ECU would decrease fuel injection. After cleaning, the throttle body suddenly becomes clean, allowing more air to flow through. To maintain the same air-fuel ratio, the ECU increases fuel injection, leading to higher fuel consumption. Precautions for throttle body cleaning: For electronic throttle bodies, carbon deposits should be cleaned every 10,000 kilometers or when the malfunction indicator light comes on. After carbon removal, the vehicle's performance may be temporarily affected as the ECU requires a learning process to adapt to the engine's new operating conditions post-cleaning. This adaptation period typically lasts about 1,000 kilometers. Generally, after cleaning the throttle body in fuel-injected vehicles, an ECU reset operation should be performed. If this step is skipped, it may cause significant fuel consumption increases. The simplest reset method is to disconnect the battery for more than 30 seconds.
