Diesel is still a great fuel choice, even if public opinion is shifting away from it. It’s near unbeatable over long distances for fuel efficiency and is a great choice for saving you money at the pump.
However, if you run a modern diesel vehicle regularly, you may notice a decrease in power and fuel efficiency over time. It’s perfectly common and is the result of build-ups of carbon in the engine. The combustion process is prone to leaving deposits over time, hence the need for diesel engine cleaners.
There are both diesel and petrol engine cleaners available to treat your vehicle. A prime place that gets this build-up is the fuel injectors, which affect your car’s performance and fuel efficiency directly, and can also affect the level of pollution your car produces.
The best diesel injector cleaners at a glance:
Editor’s choice: STP Diesel Injector Cleaner – Buy from Amazon.
Best for continuous use: Redex Diesel System Cleaner – Buy from Amazon.
Best diesel injector cleaner for older engines: Wynn’s Diesel Injector Cleaner – Buy from Amazon.
Thankfully, there are additives that can help clear these injectors and improve the overall running of your car. Here are our picks of the best diesel injector cleaners to help you save money.
The best diesel injector cleaners
Editor's choice
Rrp: £6.99
Rrp: £6.99
Pros
- Effective on carbon deposits
- Good value
Cons
- Not a massive improvement in performance for most vehicles
| Volume: | 200ml |
Best for continuous use
Pros
- Two shots in one bottle
- Good value
Cons
- Not the most powerful offering
| Volume: | 250ml |
Best diesel injector cleaner for cold starts
Rrp: £18.44
Rrp: £18.44
Pros
- Great in winter
- Help improve performance
Cons
- Not much use in summer
| Volume: | 400ml |
Best for high mileage cars
Rrp: £6.49
Rrp: £6.49
It's slightly stronger than the regular STP injector cleaner, and that's because it's designed to tackle thicker carbon deposits.
Pros
- Great for high-mileage diesel cars
- High quality
Cons
- Quantity isn't as generous as others
| Volume: | 250ml |
Best diesel injector cleaner for older engines
Pros
- Improve old engines
- Added protection
Cons
- Older cars only
| Volume: | 325ml |
Diesel Injector Cleaner: FAQs
What do you need to know about diesel injector cleaners?
Carbon build-up in your engine can affect your car in many ways. The most extreme examples are black smoke and a strained, noisy ignition. Reduced performance and increased fuel usage are also common, as the deposits make your engine run rougher. If you notice any of these in your diesel car, your first port of call should be looking at an injector cleaner.
How often do you need to use diesel injector cleaner?
Diesel injector carbon deposits can start to form very early on in an engine’s service life. While they may start to appear between the first 1000 to 2000 miles, you may not need to clean them until you’ve passed 3000-4000 miles. Any further than this, and you may start seeing a drop in performance.
With that said, higher mileage engines will most likely need injector cleaners the most. A lot of diesel injector failures stem from dirty and clogged-up units caused by carbon deposits. Injector cleaners act as a great form of preventative maintenance to ensure some longevity to your engine. Depending on what product you go for, it’s generally good practice to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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