I recently had my 2021 RX350 in for service at the dealer for a check engine light. The light car after a fuel stop at a station that pumped the gas. I later found the loose cap but after several days the light stayed on. While the car was at the dealer they performed a basic system check after clearing the check engine code. On the completed service order they recommended a Fuel Injection Service. In the past with many of my cars, including a Porsche 944, it was recommended to add Chevron Techron to the tank periodically. I never experienced any fuel system issues with any of my cars. This service sounds like a money grab to me so I declined it. What's the general opinion on this the of service$ The car has about 55,000 miles.

 

Yea. It's one of those wallet flushes they offer.

Just add your favorite fuel system cleaner to the tank and call it a day.

 

If you use Top Tier gas, you would'nt need any fuel system cleaner!

 

The only way to know for sure would be to remove the injectors and test them - most people are probably not willing to pay for that type of service, and understandably so. It would also be useful to look at the intake valves and combustion chambers to see if there is carbon build up - again, most people are probably not willing to pay for that service. Miles alone do not determine carbon build up, poor fuel injection, etc. and other factors include: driving habits, climate, oil change intervals, oil used, fuel used, debris in the tank, etc. Even if you do everything right, you can still have a problem ...... injectors do fail just like any other part.


I believe starting in 2017 these 3.5L engines got both direct and port injection:
* Port injection has a benefit of spraying the intake valves with fuel - which can help keep them clean if good fuel is used that contains detergents (but a downside of port injection is less efficient combustion)
* Direct injection has a benefit of higher combustion efficiencies, but a downside of carbon deposits on the intake valves - some direct injection VW models are plagued with carbon on the intake valves
* Did Toyota provide the best of both worlds such that no Toyota/Lexus would EVER have fuel injection problems ....... of course not


Using top-tier fuel is one way to minimize fuel system issues, but not everyone has convenient access to top tier fuel.


Fuel additives are another way to help, and you want one that has a "high amount" of PEA
* Read the instructions because some fuel additives will limit how many times you should use the product per oil change
* Techron, Royal Purple and Redline fuel system cleaners are considered to have an appropriate amount of PEA