What is fuel injection?

Fuel injection is a mechanical system in your car that allows the correct mix of air to be combined with fuel, so that it can combust properly. This system is distinct from a carburettor, or ‘carby’, which also serves this function but is more usually associated with older model cars. Fuel injection is important because it not only allows the fuel to combust and therefore drive your vehicle, but it can also have an effect on fuel efficiency.

What is the difference between fuel injection and a carburettor?

Although fuel injection and a carburettor do the same thing, namely mix air with the fuel, they represent different levels of technology and increasingly from the 80’s onwards cars had fuel injection. Fuel injection works on the following basis:

• It is calibrated for the type of fuel being used
• Fuel is forced through a valve
• The fuel is ‘atomised’ or reduced to a very fine mist and mixed with air
• This mix is the ideal blend to create ignition and drive your car
• Fuel injection relies upon high pressure to force the fuel through a valve
• A carburettor uses low pressure from an air intake to do the same thing
• A carburettor does the job of mixing air and fuel less precisely than fuel injection
• Fuel injection can be used for petrol or diesel powered vehicles
• With the advent of Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) both diesel and petrol engines can use similar fuel injection hardware

These days fuel injection is the most likely system your car will utilise to mix fuel and air, unless of course it is of a vintage that is mid 80’s or earlier.

Fuel injection in your car

The technology of fuel injection is quite advanced these days. The more precise the combination of air and fuel, the better overall efficiency and performance will be. Whenever your car is serviced fuel injection will be something a qualified mechanic will take a look at, ensuring that the system is properly calibrated and working at an optimum level. The fuel injection system is not something a Do It Yourself (DIY) home mechanic should tinker with. Making sure the calibration is accurate is best left to a qualified professional.