This is a preventive method before the symptoms but what happens if it is dirty so what are the symptoms?
You start your car and she cranks and starts but idle is weak and can not hold idle and the car will die.
Clean out your throttle body and mass air flow sensor. If you take it off, you can get a much cleaner experience but if you are lazy, you can still clean it by spraying it and wiping out that carbon deposit.
Depending on the vehicle, if it is an electronic where the flap in the throttle body is triggered by pressing on the gas, have a partner step the gas peddle to open the flap while you clean it out.
You should get it to idle. Maybe like brand new.
Now after you clean it, you might get a check engine light popping on up. This should be normal as you are removing the MAF sensor. Have an odb reader to erase it.
With a car starts, on idle and if there is no other problem, you can ride or limp your way home.