You have probably heard of engine cleaners if you regularly take your car to a mechanic for maintenance. Even if you may not be entirely sure what they are or why you need one. Here is what a cleaner is, what it does, and the top five reasons you should use one.

5 reasons you should use an engine cleaner

An engine cleaner or engine flush is a chemical additive product designed to clean and remove your car’s accumulated deposits, sludge, and grease. It mixes with the oil and circulates through the engine, cleaning it as it goes around. To use it, begin by pouring it into your engine’s oil-filter port, then idle the engine for about 10 to 20 minutes.

According to Access Auto Insurance, most car dealers and mechanics recommend using it on older engines after 3,000 to 8,000 miles. However, a complete engine flush is recommended for modern engines after around 35,000 miles since the engines are more competent at resisting sludge. It is also crucial to remember that cars with over 150,000 miles or older than eight years may not require engine cleaning since the build-up could be beneficial in various ways.

Besides removing sludge and deposits, there are numerous other reasons why having an engine flush is necessary. Some of these reasons help you directly, while others benefit your engine and car. Here are the top five reasons you should use an the cleaner.

1. It helps spot leaks, cracks, and other possible engine problems

Issues such as cracks, leaks, and blockages can often go undetected until they cause significant problems. Using a cleaner, you can flush out any potential issues and fix them before they cause irreparable damage. Therefore, keeping your engine clean makes it much easier to spot any leaks, cracks, or other problems that might be developing.

2. Removes debris and road salt that can cause corrosion

Over time road salt, dirt, and other debris can build up in your engine and consecutively lead to corrosion. This build-up can cause many problems, including decreased fuel efficiency and power, while simultaneously causing leakage of fluids essential to your engine’s proper functioning. A cleaner will remove all of this build-up of road salt and debris and help keep your engine running smoothly.

3. Prevents combustion and other fire hazards

Another reason to use an engine cleaner is to prevent combustion and other fire hazards. When your engine becomes dirty, it can cause a build-up of heat, eventually leading to overheating and burn up. This heat build-up can also start fires in the engine, ultimately leading to an engine explosion. You can prevent this by using it to keep the engine clean and free of debris.

4. Makes it easy to work on the engine by yourself

One of the best reasons to use a cleaner is that it makes it much easier to work on the engine yourself. When the engine is clean, it is much easier to spot any engine issues yourself that might be developing and to fix them before they cause significant problems. It is also much easier to find and replace parts that might be worn out or broken.

5. Allows you to sell your car at an increased value

Finally, using an engine cleaner can allow you to sell your vehicle at an increased value due to the well-maintained engine. A clean engine is much more appealing to potential buyers than one that is dirty and covered in grime. Therefore, when the time comes to sell your car, you can get a much better price if the engine is clean.