Engine shampoo will not only make your engine look great, but you’ll feel a difference when driving, too. Shampooing your engine clears away accumulated dirt and debris to help your car run better and stay cooler.
If you had to name all of the things you can shampoo, odds are, you could probably only name one—your hair. But just like the top of your head, your car’s engine also benefits from a good scrub. Not only will engine shampoo help make under the hood gleam and glow, but it can actually help your engine run smoother for longer.
Jerry
, the trustworthy super app
you know and love for car insurance
, doesn’t just help you save money—we’ve also got tons of tips on how to take your car care to the next level! Here’s a guide on everything you need to know about engine shampoo: what it is, when to use it, and how to do it. 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers What is engine shampoo?
Engine shampoo is a cleaning solution that removes dirt, debris, sludge, and all other kinds of buildup from your engine. This not only helps below the hood look better, but it also helps your car drive better. By clearing out blocked oil passageways, engine shampoo helps your engine to operate at a cooler temperature and makes for a smoother ride.
You don’t have to be a trained mechanic to do it; shampooing your engine is a pretty straightforward do-it-yourself project (which we’ll get into a little later on).
You can purchase the liquid soap by the gallon or in a smaller spray bottle. Although the liquid soap, like this one from Detail King
or Chemical Guys
, costs more (anywhere between $35 to $69), it will last you several washes. The spray, like this one from Gunk
, will only run you $13, but it may not be enough to get through one wash on a larger engine. When to shampoo a car engine
As a rule of thumb, you should shampoo your engine every year. Or, if you do a lot of off-road driving or live near a lot of unpaved roads, consider upping it to twice a year.
It’s typical to ask for this service during an oil change, and it’s especially a great idea to get it done if you’re about to sell your vehicle. Having a clean, shiny engine can really make your car stand out to a potential buyer!
MORE: How to sell a car online
How to shampoo a car engine
Itching to clean your engine now? We’ll walk you through the process step-by-step. The product you use to shampoo your engine (meaning the exact brand) doesn’t matter nearly as much as when you choose to do it. If possible, aim to shampoo your engine on a warm, sunny day so your engine will dry out faster.
Also, before you get started, take a peek at your dashboard lights
to make sure there aren’t any illuminated. You don’t want to agitate any underlying problems with your engine by going in there and washing it. You’ll need the following supplies on hand:
Step 1: Let your engine cool for several hours before popping the hood.
Step 2: Tightly seal anything in your engine with a cap and reservoir like your brake fluid, steering fluid, etc. Although engine shampoo is fairly harmless, you don’t want it dripping in somewhere it doesn’t belong.
Step 3: Use the wrench to disconnect the battery cables. If it’s possible, you should remove the entire battery from your engine and set it out of the way.
Step 4: Cover up electrical components like spark plugs, alternators, and filters with a plastic bag and seal it with tape.
Step 5: Lightly hose down your engine and add your engine shampoo. When it comes to engine shampoo, less is more. Some shampoo can leave residue, which is harmless in small doses, but if you glob it on it could build up and corrode over time.
Step 6: Grab your scrub brush for any hard-to-reach areas or areas with extra buildup.
Step 7: Rinse the engine with the hose and wipe it down with a clean towel.
Step 8: Leave your hood open for about an hour or two to let it dry out.
Step 9: Remove the plastic coverings, reconnect the battery cables, and that’s it! You’ve now got a squeaky-clean engine.
MORE: How to wash a car at home
Protect your car inside and out with car insurance
Using engine shampoo is a great way to take care of your vehicle, but the absolute best way is to equip your car with an awesome car insurance
policy. The Jerry
app makes finding a policy a piece of cake and can actually help you save money. After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They can even help cancel your old policy! So why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?
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