In today's era of ever-rising gas prices it is
tempting to purchase the cheapest fuel you can find. But did you know
the habit of using low-quality fuel can leave behind some nasty remnants
in your engine?
Low-quality fuel usually has fewer detergents and less cleaning ability
than the higher-priced options, leaving behind carbon deposits in your
engine. These deposits cause symptoms like hesitation, diminished
vehicle acceleration, increased emissions and reduced fuel economy.
There is a maintenance service, called fuel system cleaning, that helps
eliminate these unwanted deposits. There are two types of fuel system
cleaners. The first is added directly to the fuel tank and, just as
mouthwash cleans your mouth, a fuel system cleaner offers a feeling of
clean to dirty fuel systems.
Think of the second type of fuel system cleaning as your yearly trip to
the dentist. Visiting the doc lets him remove the plaque lurking in
hard-to-reach places—something your toothbrush and floss usually can’t
accomplish. Likewise, a multi-part fuel system cleaning for your engine
is more in-depth than a fuel-tank treatment and cleans carbon deposits
out of hard-to-reach places. Multi-part fuel system cleanings vary
depending on the formulation, but all of them do the same job: remove
carbon deposits, clean fuel injectors and rid the system of water. As
dentists are specially trained to work on teeth, your technician is
specially trained to perform a multi-part fuel system cleaning, the type
of cleaning best left to the pros.
The deposits left behind by low-quality fuel in your engine are like
bacteria in your mouth, and a fuel system cleaner helps wash them away.
Mouthwash delivers instant gratification, but it may take a wee bit of
patience to notice the affects of a fuel system cleaner.
"After performing a fuel system cleaning and driving the car about 150
to 200 miles after the cleaning—so the chemistry has a chance to
work—drivers will typically enjoy restored fuel economy, reduced
tailpipe emissions and better drivability with a more responsive
throttle," said Alan Ferry, director of Research and Development for ITW
Professional Automotive Products.
Regular fuel system cleanings will help make your vehicle last longer, while reducing vehicle repairs and gas consumption.
Just as brushing, flossing and mouthwash are essential to a healthy
mouth, fuel system cleaners are essential to keeping your engine clean
and your vehicle running properly.