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Whether we like it or not, as our cars get older, their components get less and less efficient and can start to slowly decline. One problem that tends to pop up over time is that fuel injectors get dirty and clogged by carbon deposits when burning gasoline. Luckily, there’s a pretty inexpensive way to help with this problem in the form of fuel injector cleaner. It can help restore fuel economy, reduce emissions and maximize your car’s performance. Here are the best fuel injector cleaner options currently available at Amazon.
K&N Performance+ Fuel System Cleaner – $6.00 (40% off)
Key Features
- Best-selling fuel system cleaner on Amazon
- Restores performance and responsiveness
- Reduces carbon deposits
- Treats up to 21 gallons of fuel
- Safe for all gasoline engines
The K&N Performance+ Fuel System Cleaner is the #1 best-selling fuel system cleaner on Amazon. It cleans the entire fuel system and helps restore lost engine power, acceleration and throttle response. It’s safe to use for all direct injected and fuel-injected engines. This cleaner can treat up to 21 gallons of fuel.
Liqui Moly 2007 Jectron Gasoline Fuel Injection Cleaner – $9.49
Key Features
- One singular 300 ml (or 10.14 Fl Oz) pack
- Can provide better combustion
- Can provide better throttle response
- Made in Germany
Liqui Moly is a popular and well-reviewed brand for a “range of motor and gear oils, fuel and oil additives, care products, chemical problem-solvers and service products.” This fuel injection cleaner works similarly to the others and comes in a single 300 ml container.
Gumout High Mileage Fuel Injector Cleaner – $16.94
Key Features
- 6 pack of 6 oz. bottles
- Oxygen sensor safe
- Safe for turbocharged and supercharged vehicles
- Reduces emissions
- Restores fuel economy
- Recommended use every 3,000 miles
Gumout High Mileage Fuel Injector Cleaner is designed to unclog the fuel injectors, intake valves and ports in vehicles with 75,000 or more miles. It’s recommended to use every 3,000 miles and won’t void the warranty. It’s safe for turbocharged and supercharged vehicles and is also oxygen sensor safe.
Royal Purple 18000 Max Atomizer Fuel Injector Cleaner – $8.29
Key Features
- 6 fl. oz.
- Stabilizes ethanol
- Can be used in gasoline and diesel engines
- Improves throttle response
- Maximizes horsepower
The Royal Purple Max Atomizer Fuel Injector Cleaner can be used in both gasoline and diesel engines. This product can stabilize ethanol, restore fuel economy, maximize horsepower and improve responsiveness.
Archoil AR6400-D Diesel Fuel System Cleaner – $24.95
Key Features
- 12 fl. Oz
- Cleans fuel injectors for diesel engines
- Prevents turbo failure
- Improves DPF performance
- Recommended use every 5,000 miles
This Archoli Diesel Fuel System Cleaner is strictly for vehicles with diesel engines. It can work with any diesel engine, whether it’s a sedan, SUV or truck. It rapidly cleans diesel injectors, turbos, blocked DPFs and dirty EGR systems. This cleaner can also clear the turbochargers of soot and carbon to prevent turbo lag and restore boost. One bottle treats up to 40 gallons of diesel fuel and is recommended to be used every 5,000 miles.
STP Ultra 5-in-1 Fuel System Cleaner and Stabilizer – $11.97
Key Features
- Suitable for turbocharged, direct injection and hybrid gas vehicles
- Fights deposit buildup
- Protects against metal-to-metal friction
- Compatible with cap-less gas tanks
- Recommended use every 4,000 miles
The STP Ultra 5-in-1 Fuel System Cleaner and Stabilizer gives a deep cleaning to your entire fuel system. It helps save gas, prevents ethanol deposits, reduces metal-to-metal friction and inhibits corrosion while restoring performance to your vehicle. It’s recommended to be used every 4,000 miles and treats up to 28 gallons of fuel.
Lucas Oil Fuel Treatment – $12.98
Key Features
- Cleans and lubricates the fuel system
- Increases the lifespans of pumps, valves, rings and injectors
- Neutralizes low sulfur fuel issues
- Prevents rust and corrosion
- Eliminates the need for higher octane fuel
The Lucas Oil Fuel Treatment can treat up to 100 gallons of gasoline or diesel fuel. It uses a blend of additives and detergents to clean and lubricate the fuel injectors, carburetor and the combustion chamber. It can also increase the lifespan of the fuel pumps, valves, rings and injectors while preventing rust and corrosion.
How do I use fuel injector cleaner?
Adding the fuel injector cleaning fluid is pretty straightforward. When going to the gas station to fill up your tank, add the fuel injector cleaner first. Next, fill up your car with gas as you normally would. The gasoline and fuel additives will mix together and will help clean out your fuel system. How often you will need to use the cleaner will depend on the brand you are using, as some need to be used more frequently than others.
Pros and cons of fuel injector cleaner
The benefits of fuel additives being used to clean out your fuel system are plentiful. Fuel injector cleaners work to reduce carbon emissions, restore fuel economy and engine responsiveness, and extend the life of the vehicle.
The biggest drawback is that some automakers advise against using fuel additives as they can potentially damage O2 sensors, catalytic converters or other internal components. Using it more often than the product recommends can cause engine issues over time. Another flaw is that it can’t solve all of your fuel systems problems, if the car has serious issues that require a mechanic then a fuel injector cleaner won’t be much help.
What causes a dirty fuel injector?
Fuel injectors get dirty when old fuel and carbon build up and begin to clog the filters to the point fuel cannot flow through it.
What are the signs of a dirty fuel injector?
There are many signs of dirty fuel injectors and you will need to act accordingly when you notice them. The check engine light may come on and the RPM needle may shake and move awkwardly, but there are other ways to know the condition of your fuel system. The most obvious signs are misfires, stalling and rough idling. Bad fuel economy is another sign you need to clean out your fuel system.
Do fuel injector cleaners work on motorcycles?
Yes, fuel injector cleaners can be used on motorcycles as long as the cleaner is suitable for gasoline engines.
Is fuel injector cleaner good for newer cars?
It can be a good idea for newer cars, but make sure you read your owner’s manual before putting anything in your fuel tank. On a newer car it can potentially prevent clogging and carbon buildup before it starts.
