Loading

What cars use both direct and port injection?

Many modern cars utilize a combination of direct and port fuel injection systems to optimize engine performance and efficiency. This dual-injection approach allows the engine to take advantage of the benefits of both technologies, providing improved power, fuel economy, and emissions control.


What is Direct and Port Fuel Injection?


Direct fuel injection (DFI) is a system where the fuel is injected directly into the engine's combustion chamber, rather than into the intake manifold as in a traditional port fuel injection (PFI) system. DFI allows for more precise fuel delivery and better control of the air-fuel mixture, leading to increased power and efficiency. Port fuel injection, on the other hand, injects the fuel into the intake ports, where it mixes with the air before entering the combustion chamber.


Advantages of Dual Injection Systems


Combining direct and port fuel injection provides several key benefits:



  • Improved Fuel Economy: The direct injection system can operate in a lean-burn mode at low loads, reducing fuel consumption, while the port injection supplements the direct injection at higher loads to maintain power output.

  • Enhanced Performance: The direct injection system can provide a cooling effect in the combustion chamber, allowing for higher compression ratios and increased power output.

  • Reduced Emissions: The combination of direct and port injection helps to reduce particulate matter emissions, as the port injection helps to clean the intake valves and prevent carbon buildup.


By leveraging the strengths of both direct and port fuel injection, automakers can create engines that are more powerful, efficient, and environmentally friendly.


Examples of Dual Injection Cars


Many popular car models from various manufacturers now feature dual injection systems, including:



  • Volkswagen 2.0T TSI engine

  • BMW N55 and B58 engines

  • Ford EcoBoost enginesli>
  • Toyota Dynamic Force engines

  • Honda Turbo VTEC engines


As automakers continue to push the boundaries of engine technology, the use of dual injection systems is likely to become increasingly common in the years to come.

What vehicles use direct injection?


A wide range of modern cars, including many from Audi, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, and Toyota, use direct injection engines for improved performance, efficiency, and emissions. Volkswagen Group uses the term TDI for its direct injection turbodiesel engines, and many manufacturers now display a "GDI" badge to indicate gasoline direct injection. 
Examples of car manufacturers and models

  • Audi: The TFSI engine, like the 3.0L supercharged V-6 in models such as the A6, A7, and Q7, uses direct injection. 
  • BMW: Many of its modern engines, like the N55 and M256, incorporate direct injection. 
  • Honda: Offers a direct injection system on select models to improve power and fuel efficiency. 
  • Hyundai/Kia: The Gamma 1.6L I-4 engine is in models like the Hyundai Veloster and Kia Rio. Some models are even badged with "GDI". 
  • Lexus/Toyota: Both brands use direct and port injection in many of their engines to gain advantages from both systems. 
  • Mazda: The Skyactiv-G 2.0L I-4 engine in models like the Mazda 3 Skyactiv and CX-5 is another example. 
  • Volkswagen Group: Includes models from Audi, SEAT, and Skoda, which use the TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) term for their direct injection engines. 

How to tell if a car has direct injection
  • Check for a badge: Some manufacturers, including Kia and Hyundai, put a "GDI" badge on the exterior of cars with this technology. 
  • Consult the owner's manual or window sticker: These documents often provide information about the engine specifications. 
  • Use an OBD-II scanner: If you have access to an OBD-II scanner, it can provide diagnostic information about the vehicle's engine system. 



Which is better direct or port fuel injection?


Port injection sprays fuel into the intake port before the combustion chamber, while direct injection sprays fuel directly into the cylinder. Port injection is less expensive and keeps intake valves clean, but direct injection offers better fuel economy, more power, and improved emissions control during normal operation. However, direct injection can lead to carbon buildup on the intake valves.
 
This video explains the difference between port and direct injection: 1mCountermanYouTube · Feb 26, 2021
Port injection

  • How it works: Fuel is sprayed into the intake manifold, mixing with air before being drawn into the cylinder through the intake valve. 
  • Pros:
    • Cleans intake valves: The fuel spray helps clean the intake valves, preventing carbon buildup. 
    • Simpler and cheaper: The system is less complex and less expensive to manufacture. 
    • Better cold starts: Provides better fuel atomization and emissions during cold starts. 
  • Cons:
    • Less efficient: Some fuel can be lost or "wall-wetting" can occur on the intake port walls, making it less precise than direct injection. 

Direct injection
  • How it works: Fuel is injected under high pressure directly into the combustion chamber during the compression stroke. 
  • Pros:
    • Better fuel economy: Allows for more precise fuel metering, leading to greater efficiency. 
    • More power: Enables more efficient combustion, resulting in more power. 
    • Reduced knocking: The direct injection of fuel cools the combustion chamber, which helps prevent engine knock. 
  • Cons:
    • Carbon buildup: Because fuel isn't flowing over the intake valves, they are not cleaned and can develop significant carbon deposits. 
    • More complex and expensive: The high-pressure fuel system is more complicated and costly. 

This video explains the drawbacks of direct injection: 1mDanny Johnson’s GarageYouTube · Aug 17, 2023
Which is better?
  • Port injection is better for: simplicity, lower cost, and maintaining clean intake valves. 
  • Direct injection is better for: improved performance, fuel economy, and lower overall emissions in a driving scenario, despite the carbon buildup issue. 
  • Many modern engines use a dual-injection system that combines both port and direct injection to get the advantages of both technologies. 



Which cars have both port and direct injection?


Toyota uses its blended approach of port and direct fuel injection to give the best possible performance, emissions and economy.



Does Ford use port and direct injection?


This improves fuel atomization and offers more control over fuel supply. Ford's EcoBoost system combines direct injection with port fuel injection to maximize the advantages of each technology.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.