What are the causes of carbon deposits in cars?

2 Answers
SanLucas
07/24/25 1:17pm
The causes of carbon deposits in cars are: 1. Drivers' long-term poor driving habits. Many drivers are reluctant to step on the accelerator to save fuel and protect their cars, but this driving style not only fails to save fuel but also increases engine carbon deposits; 2. Poor quality gasoline. When there are many impurities in the gasoline, carbon deposits will form after combustion in the engine; 3. Aging or damage to the engine's carburetor. The engine is the heart of the car, and the carburetor is the heart of the engine. If the carburetor is aging or malfunctioning, gasoline will enter the engine without being fully atomized before combustion, leading to the formation of carbon deposits. Additionally, whether the carburetor can fully atomize gasoline is also greatly related to air quality.
Was this review help?
14
3
Share
DeBrielle
08/11/25 7:19am
After driving for so many years, I've noticed that carbon buildup is mostly caused by incomplete combustion. When the car engine is running, the mixture of fuel and air burns to generate power, but if the combustion isn't thorough, carbon residues will accumulate on the cylinders or pistons. The most common reason is frequent short-distance driving, like when I pick up my kids—just a few kilometers—the engine doesn't even warm up before shutting off, leaving unburned fuel. Another cause is urban traffic congestion, where low-speed driving or idling puts the engine under light load, reducing combustion efficiency. Using low-quality gasoline with more impurities can also accelerate carbon buildup. I remember during one maintenance check, opening it up to find a black, grimy mess. Since then, I make sure to take the car on a high-speed run once a week to fully heat up the engine, which works well. Also, in areas with poor air quality, the air filter can get clogged, affecting airflow and leading to combustion issues—regularly replacing the filter is crucial. In short, carbon buildup not only saps the car's power but can also increase fuel consumption. Preventing it early saves both hassle and money.
Was this review help?
17
0
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

How to Check Fuel Level on a Mercedes-Benz Fuel Gauge?

The fuel gauge shows the fuel level in the vehicle's tank. When the needle points to 0, it indicates that the fuel tank is low on fuel. When the needle points to 1, it means the fuel tank is full. If the needle is between 0 and 1, it indicates that the tank is half full. Based on the fuel level, it is recommended to add fuel in a timely manner and not wait until the fuel warning light comes on. Here is some relevant information about the vehicle's fuel tank: 1. Introduction: The automotive fuel tank is the full name of the car's fuel container. Currently, with the development of the automotive industry and the revitalization of the domestic automobile sector, the demand for automotive fuel tanks from major automobile manufacturers has shown a significant upward trend. 2. Design Principle: The design utilizes the heat energy generated by the engine during operation, incorporating a thermal circulation system between the engine, fuel tank, and radiator. The original single fuel tank is redesigned into a combined fuel tank consisting of a main tank and an auxiliary tank.
1
2
Share

Mustang: Should You Use 92 or 95 Octane Fuel?

According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the Mustang should use 95 octane fuel. In addition to checking the appropriate fuel grade in the vehicle manual, the Mustang owner can also find this information on the fuel tank cap, which is usually labeled. Generally, the fuel grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92 octane fuel, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95 octane fuel. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the fuel grade—high compression ratios can still be tuned to use lower octane fuel. This is because other factors, such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology, also play a role. Generally, the higher the fuel octane number, the higher the octane value and the better the anti-knock performance. 92 octane fuel contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95 octane fuel contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If the Mustang occasionally uses the wrong fuel grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after consumption. However, long-term use of the wrong fuel grade can have the following effects: For vehicles recommended for low-octane fuel, using higher octane fuel will not cause damage, but the increased octane value alters the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This reduces both the engine's power output and thermal efficiency, resulting in poorer performance. For vehicles recommended for high-octane fuel, using lower octane fuel can cause engine knocking. Due to the significantly lower octane value, the fuel ignites prematurely during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug fires, resistance is generated during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unevenly. If the knocking is mild, it may only increase noise without obvious engine damage. However, severe knocking indicates critical engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, and in extreme cases, cylinder scoring.
3
0
Share

What is the tire model of BYD Han?

BYD Han's tire model is 245/45R19. The first number 245 indicates the tire width is 245MM, 45 means the aspect ratio of the tire section is 45%, that is, the section height is 45% of the width, and 19 represents the rim diameter is 19 inches. The middle letters or symbols have special meanings: "X" denotes high-pressure tires; "R", "Z" indicate radial tires; "-" represents low-pressure tires. BYD Han can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. In addition to the model, tires are also marked with the following common data: Tire cord material: Represented by Chinese pinyin, such as M-cotton cord, R-rayon cord, N-nylon cord, G-steel cord, ZG-steel radial cord. Speed rating: Indicates the maximum speed at which the tire can carry a specified load under specified conditions. Letters A to Z represent certified speed ratings from 4.8km/h to 300km/h. Common speed ratings include: Q: 160km/h; H: 210km/h; V: 240km/h; W: 270km/h; Y: 300km/h; Rim specification: Shows the rim size compatible with the tire for practical use, such as "Standard Rim 5.00F".
13
1
Share

How to Replace the Battery in a Kia K5 Key Fob?

Method for replacing the battery in a Kia K5 key fob: 1. Remove the mechanical key, then insert a flat-head screwdriver into the slot marked by the red circle and pry it open with force; 2. Once a gap is created, use both hands to pull the key fob apart; 3. After opening, you will see one half containing the circuit board and the other half with the coin cell battery, where the positive side of the battery faces down; 4. Use the screwdriver to pry out the coin cell battery. When installing the new battery, ensure the side with the text faces downward. After replacing the battery, snap the two halves of the key fob back together. The Kia K5 is a mid-size sedan under Dongfeng Yueda Kia, with body dimensions of 4845mm in length, 1835mm in width, 1455mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2795mm.
13
1
Share

Should You Release the Handbrake or Shift to D Gear First When Starting an Automatic Transmission Car?

When starting an automatic transmission car, first shift to D gear and then release the handbrake. It is essential to keep the brake pedal pressed. The order can be reversed without major issues, but it is crucial not to forget to release the handbrake. Starting with the brake pedal pressed can easily burn out the brake pads. If you're a beginner and not yet accustomed to the process, you can release the handbrake first to avoid forgetting it after starting. Whether it's a manual or automatic transmission car, the most important step when starting is to shift into gear first and then release the handbrake. The handbrake serves as the final safety measure. Only after fully engaging the gear and before moving should you release the handbrake—this practice is very safe. When shifting gears, move quickly from P to D to avoid passing through R, which can cause a backlash and harm the transmission. If you engage the gear but do not release the handbrake, all the power output from the engine will be absorbed by the torque converter, causing its temperature to rise sharply. Prolonged exposure to this condition can burn out the torque converter. For dual-clutch transmissions, after engaging the gear, the clutch friction plates will remain in a semi-engaged state. Prolonged semi-engagement can lead to burning out the friction plates, so it's necessary to start moving as soon as possible. Generally, if you don't press the brake pedal before starting an automatic transmission car, it can negatively impact the vehicle's transmission and gear structure. This effect is even more pronounced when the car is parked on an incline.
6
4
Share

How Often Should the Fuel System Be Cleaned?

Fuel system cleaning is generally recommended every 2 years or approximately 60,000 kilometers. The steps for cleaning the fuel system are as follows: 1. Clean the fuel tank: Turn off the power, unplug the fuel sensor connector, remove and take out the electric fuel pump or fuel sensor, open the fuel tank cap, remove the filter screen, use a hose to extract the fuel from the tank, leaving about 5~8cm of fuel, then add a certain amount of ethanol or cleaning agent. Connect one end of a plastic hose to an air pump and insert the other end into the bottom of the fuel tank through the fuel tank opening. Use 3MPa air pressure to blow and clean, so that various impurities accumulated at the bottom of the tank, such as dirt, rust, and gum particles, are washed away by the agitated cleaning oil. 2. Clean the electric fuel pump: Use a carburetor cleaner to remove various impurities attached to the fuel pump. For mechanical fuel pumps that can be disassembled, the main cleaning parts are the inlet valve, outlet valve, and oil cup. For aged fuel pump diaphragms, replace them with new ones. For non-disassembled mechanical fuel pumps, replace them with new ones as needed. Replace the fuel sensor float in the tank if it affects the accuracy of the sensor. 3. Clean the fuel injector: Use a specialized carburetor cleaner to clean the oil passages, metering holes, oil surface chamber, atomizing nozzle, needle valve, etc. Replace the polymer plastic fuel float with a copper or stainless steel one. After cleaning, the carburetor should be clean and free of attached impurities. After reassembly, perform operational performance debugging to ensure the engine maintains stable idle speed, smooth transitions between high and low speeds, and no backfire or popping. 4. Clean the fuel filter: For detachable filters, use specialized cleaning oil to clean the oil cup and filter element. Polymer plastic filter elements must be replaced with ceramic or steel mesh nylon fabric filter elements. Replace disposable fuel filters. 5. Clean the electronic fuel injector: The electronic fuel injector of an electronic fuel injection vehicle should be cleaned on a specialized cleaning bench. Use specialized cleaning agents or carbon removers to thoroughly remove carbon particles and stains from the injector. After cleaning, verify the fuel injection quality before reassembly. 6. Clean the fuel supply lines and various filters: Use specialized cleaning oil or a cleaning machine for cleaning. 7. Check the fuel tank breather valve: The fuel tank's intake and exhaust should be unobstructed. If not, the breather valve must be cleared or replaced. 8. Test drive inspection: After cleaning, add ethanol gasoline to the vehicle and start it. Inspect all components of the fuel system to ensure there are no leaks, and check and adjust the operational performance of each part.
4
2
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.