The efficiency of your vehicle matters now more than ever. As well as making it much cheaper at the fuel pump, a more efficient vehicle reduces your driving emissions to make the world a much better place.
Keeping your vehicle well-maintained is of course rule number one of putting efficiency first. But whether you’ve let vehicle maintenance slip or your car has done many a mile, you may be considering booking in for an engine carbon clean to resolve those efficiency issues.
Here we take a closer look at engine carbon cleaning, explore how the process compares to the more specialist Terraclean method, and help you discover which option is right for you so you can get the efficiency of your vehicle back on track.
What is an engine carbon clean?
Engine carbon cleaning is a vehicle maintenance must that has risen in popularity during recent years.
Every vehicle is susceptible to carbon build-ups. The clogging caused by such deposits can reduce the efficiency and performance of a vehicle if not kept under control, even if your vehicle is fitted with emission control features like diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and catalysts.
As the name suggests, engine carbon cleaning is exactly that. It clears the engine of the troublesome deposits that are so easily produced when petrol and diesel engines burn fuel.
Before engine carbon cleaning, and before the use of modern fuel technology and oils, vehicles would have to be ‘decoked’ every 3,000 miles or so. This lengthy process would involve the physical removal of carbon from the engine. Yet with the latest advancements in engine carbon cleaning, using this traditional, invasive method is no longer necessary.
There are a number of engine carbon cleaning methods used today. The cheapest method is the pour-in treatment, which is simply and quickly added to your vehicle’s fuel tank and left to work its way through your system. This however doesn’t provide a thorough clean and can deliver little improvement in efficiency.
Some vehicle owners still rely on the traditional process of removing carbon from the engine and its components, with the engine blasted or treated with solvents to minimise carbon deposits. This method is extremely invasive however and must be performed by a specialist to prevent the abrasive materials used from damaging the engine.
How does it compare to Terracleaning?
Terraclean is an engine carbon cleaning method all on its own, and it’s a process that has revolutionised engine carbon cleaning as we know it.
Unlike the often ineffective pour-in method, Terraclean uses highly refined fuel and specially designed cleaning units to get to the root of your engine’s carbon build-up and clear deposits from deep within your engine.
The two-stage process first targets the injection system and inlet valves, restoring functionality to unlock some pretty impressive fuel saving benefits. But Terracleaning doesn’t end there. Using our specialist cleaning units, fuel can be given a passive negative charge, be broken down to its molecular form and turned into vapour. This then passes through your vehicle’s combustion chambers, exhaust, cat and lambda sensors. Thanks to its negative charge, this solution attracts naturally positive carbon, which is then turned into carbon dioxide before being expelled through your exhaust.
Terraclean uses science to offer the most thorough engine carbon clean, leaving you to enjoy cleaner combustion, faster ECU reactions, quieter running, lower emissions, better performance, and greater fuel economy. It’s also thought to make the very expensive components that make up your engine last a lot longer.
Is Terraclean right for my vehicle?
Whilst the Terraclean process differs if your vehicle is petrol or diesel-powered – a different Terraclean cleaning unit is used to decarbonise diesel vehicles – the plus-points of a full system clean remain. Terraclean is particularly effective on older vehicles, especially those with high compression, multi-valve and direct injection engines.
Terraclean means there’s no place for carbon deposits to hide. The method is far more thorough than other types of engine carbon cleaning, and will even clean through your Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valves and DPF.
Almost all vehicles are suitable candidates for a Terraclean, which is why more than 100,000 vehicles (and counting!) have been Terracleaned. This figure includes a long list of vehicle types, including cars, vans, motorbikes, trucks, buses, boats, jet skis, excavators, and plant machinery.
Even hybrid vehicles, particularly makes and models that use start-stop technology, can be Terracleaned to remove carbon deposits and improve fuel efficiency.
How often should I book in for a Terraclean?
The Terraclean process may be particularly complex but it takes as little as 90 minutes to complete a full system clean.
As a rule of thumb, we recommend having your vehicle Terracleaned every 15,000 miles, although your vehicle may need to undergo Terracleaning more or less often depending on your driving style. If you travel mostly by motorway and at high speed for example, carbon will build up more slowly, meaning you can have your vehicle Terracleaned less frequently.
Remember Terracleaning should only be used periodically to clear carbon deposits from your system. There are however many steps you can take to reduce build-ups every day. Making sure your vehicle is maintained regularly is vital, whilst choosing good quality fuel with fewer additives can reduce carbon, tar, gum and resin build-ups within your vehicle.
Is your vehicle due for a Terraclean? Discover the best alternative to traditional and pour-in engine carbon cleaning right here by booking your Terraclean today.
