A properly maintained fuel system is one of the keys to keeping your vehicle performing like it should. By following our recommended system of basic maintenance on your fuel system, you'll help maximize fuel efficiency, and help avoid problems such as rough idling, weak acceleration, stumbling and stalling.
The fuel system provides fuel storage in the vehicle, filters out particulates, delivers fuel to the intake air system, and mixes the air and gasoline in the correct ratio to provide the most efficient combustion (i.e., the highest fuel efficiency) in the engine.
Making sure your flow of gas is not blocked is vital to getting the most mileage for your money. Optimal use of your gasoline is helped by fighting the accumulation of performance-robbing deposits in the fuel system. Today's modern engines are more susceptible to deposit buildup than ever before. Deposits have been found to start forming in as few as 1,500 miles. Studies have shown that deposits can decrease your fuel efficiency by as much as 11 percent.
Fuel injectors and carburetors are designed to accurately meter fuel into the engine in a fine spray. Fuel injector and carburetor deposits can reduce fuel flow and alter the spray pattern of gasoline to the engine leading to a loss of power, reduced fuel economy and increased exhaust emissions.
Intake valves are subject to the high temperatures of combustion and are susceptible to deposit buildup. Intake valve deposits can restrict the flow of air into the engine and adversely affect the air/fuel ratio, leading to reduced power and slower acceleration, as well as stumbling and hesitation when the engine is cold.
Combustion chamber deposits unfavorably increase the temperature at which gasoline burns, leading to knocking and pinging, increased exhaust emissions, as well as slower acceleration and poor fuel economy.
STP® gasoline additive products are formulated with different amounts of specially designed detergents. These detergents are delivered to the various parts of the engine by the gasoline. Products such as STP® Gas Treatment and STP® Fuel Injector & Carburetor Cleaner are formulated with maintenance levels of detergents. They are considered keep-clean products and they do just that; with regular use, the detergents in these products can help protect engine parts from the accumulation of harmful deposits. The use of these products can help keep the engine running at optimum performance and prevent deposit-related problems from occurring.