Your engine is the most important and one of the most expensive parts of your car. This is why you should clean your car’s engine periodically.

But why should you do so when other car owners do not detail their engines anyway? Some detailers are even wary of doing it, because they are afraid of damaging something.

However, did you know that an unclean engine can pose more danger than a clean one? Accumulated dust, dirt, oil, and grime on the engine can hide leaks that may cause engine fire in the long run. Not to mention that clean engines function better. The question is, how often should you clean your car’s engine? One of the answers lies in the environmental factors that may affect your engine’s condition as outlined below.

Environmental Factors that Can Affect How Often You Clean Your Car’s Engine

Area of Residence and Use

Urban/City:

For car owners who live in urban areas or areas with low amounts of dust and minimal snowfall, we recommend that you steam clean your car’s engine 1-2 times per year. In cases such as these, grime accumulation is relatively low, so a simple wipe down of the engine during the occasional detailing will be ideal for between yearly professional steam cleaning services.

Dry Regions:

Arid regions experience larger amounts of dust than other regions. With every road trip taken, your car’s engine comes into contact with massive amounts of dust. It can easily pile up in the engine bay, leading to an increased risk of engine damage and failure. In this case, you should clean your car’s engine every quarter.

Harsh Seasons:

Areas with harsh seasonal weather tend to have extensive rainfall and snowfall. In these regions, your vehicle is more prone to come in contact with snow, ice, and road salt. All these substances can easily make their way to your engine bay and cause damage if not attended to. In conditions such as these, steam cleaning the engine should be done every 2-3 months.

Other Tips

Sometimes you do not need a professional to check the condition of your engine. You can do a naked eye test and address the issue on your own.

• If you notice oil accumulating very quickly on the engine, check the PCV valve. If the valve has a blockage, pressure can build up in the crankcase and create oil leaks around the engine. When this occurs, replace the PCV valve and seek the services of a successful auto spa provider.
• Replacing head gaskets, valve covers or other components that may cause leaking of fluids are a good opportunity to have your engine steam cleaned. Not only does this clean away any sludge build up, it can also help with the diagnosis of other potential problems by making additional leaks noticeable.

Regular and proper cleaning can improve the performance of your engine. It can also help extend the life of your vehicle, saving you lots of money down the road. Regular engine cleaning is as important as washing your car’s exterior and undercarriage. If you give your engine a good cleaning 1-2 times a year, you should be on your way to having a vehicle that not only looks beautiful, but runs smoothly too.

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