Say folks, asked the dealer why he keeps pushing me to have my throttle body cleaned and he says I'll get better mileage with my 4 banger 2011 Equinox.


Is it worth the $135.00 expenditure??


bob01013 - NJ

 

Cleaning the throttle body won't increase/restore fuel economy unless the carbon buildup is restricting air flow which is rarely the case. I wouldn't pay to have it cleaned unless you notice something wrong with how the engine is runs/idles. Even then, I'd have them show you the throttle body beforehand to confirm it does in fact need to be cleaned. Unfortunately, most service advisors are paid to sell/recommend services that may not be necessary.

 

thanks...appreciate your insight. do you use gas line cleaner? if so, how many miles in intervals do you use???

Bob01013

 

is it just the throttle body or the air induction/air intake system he wants to clean? and how many miles is on it?


Just cleaning the throttle body itself rarely changes much but if its a whole intake/induction cleaning and you are higher mileage it could be worth it

 

no, they just want to clean the throttle body, never mentioned about air induction...67k mileage, 2011.

Bob01013

 

If you just want to clean the throttle body, do as I did I searched the year/make/ model of my SUV . 1997 Chevy Tahoe and found on it on youtube.com . It showed me how to remove it and clean it and reinstall it.

 

the induction cleaning is something you should consider on a direct injection engine...especially if you are not running an oil catch can.


older style wet manifolds tend to stay clean


dirty throttle plates can cause a start stall or extended crank.