Summer - Fuel System

Fuel System Vehicle Maintenance at Serra Honda Grandville Near Grand Rapids

          

Summer offers the best opportunity to get yourself, your family, and friends out on the open road. However, with fuel costs always fluctuating, it's helpful to understand how you can ensure your fuel system is operating at its most efficient so it doesn't completely drain your wallet during your summer road trips. Not only does fuel system maintenance help maintain the efficiency of your vehicle, but it also keeps you safe. In this section of our Summer Car Care Guide, we'll explain the function of your vehicle's fuel system, what parts make up your vehicle's fuel system, and some maintenance tips to keep your car, crossover, SUV, or truck running at optimal performance. Because your vehicle's fuel system is crucial to the proper function of your vehicle, it's important to maintain and service it on a routine basis. For even more helpful tips on your vehicle's complete maintenance needs, explore our routine maintenance and FAQ pages.

The Function of Your Car's Fuel System

The function of your car's fuel system may seem obvious - to provide fuel to the engine - but there is a complex process that actually allows that to happen. The ultimate goal is to get the fuel that is stored in the fuel tank to the engine, where it is burned to provide the power for your car to move. What are all the components included in the fuel system? Your vehicle's fuel system is made up of the:

• Fuel Tank
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel Lines
• Fuel Injector

How do these components act when you press the gas pedal? The gasoline lying in your fuel tank is drawn out of the tank and through the fuel lines by the fuel pump. The gasoline then makes its way through the fuel lines to the fuel injector. Before entering the fuel injector, the fuel passes through the fuel filter to rid any debris that could possibly damage or cause wear on the engine. The fuel injector then takes the filtered gas and utilizes pressure to turn it into a mist, which is then sprayed into the inlet manifold where it mixes with air. From there, the gasoline mist and air combination enters the combustion chamber, where it is burned to create power for your car, truck, or SUV.

Fuel System Maintenance Tips for Summer Car Care

Due to the important function of your car's fuel system, maintenance is extremely important! If your fuel system isn't functioning properly, or if a component is broken, your wallet and safety on the road can suffer. For your fuel system to run its best, the fuel you put in your vehicle must be clean to prevent the system from becoming clogged. However, it's also important to note that overtime, fuel varnish deposits can accumulate and lead to a clogged system. If the fuel system becomes clogged, your vehicle can suffer from a decrease in efficiency. So how do you avoid these unwanted fuel system situations? The service experts at Serra Honda Grandville have outlined some of our key tips for maintaining your vehicle's fuel system for summer car care:

• Replace your vehicle's fuel filter: Regular fuel filter replacements should be included in your routine maintenance schedule. Your fuel filter should be changed about every 2 years, or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. This will help keep damaging contaminants and debris out of the engine. If you haven't had a fuel filter replacement recently, or are not sure when it was last changed, our expert technicians are happy to let you know if your vehicle is in need of one.
• Have your vehicle's fuel system cleaned: When you bring your vehicle into our Grand Rapids Area Service Center, our expert auto techs can perform a fuel system cleaning, in which they utilize a specific fuel system cleaning formula to rid the system of clogs and contaminants. This process removes fuel varnish build-up, reduces cylinder head deposits, and removes intake valve deposits. If you suspect your fuel system is starting to show signs of wear, or you notice a decrease in efficiency, bring your vehicle to Serra Honda Grandville and our service team can let you know if a fuel system cleaning is right for your vehicle.