Even with all the talk about greenhouse gas emissions, you may not worry about how your vehicle is contributing to the world's pollution problem. In some states, mandatory vehicle inspections will force you to be concerned. In order to lower your carbon footprint and stay within the law, you need to monitor your vehicle's emissions.
Researching Vehicles
If you are in the market for a new car, van, or truck, take a look at the EPA's Green Vehicle Guide. In it you will find both new and used vehicles ranked for their emissions level and fuel efficiency. On the website, you are able to search by model year, vehicle class, and state. If you prefer, you can see what models are being sold throughout the entire country. Since this information is from the EPA, you do not have to worry about bias on their part. They are not pushing a particular car manufacturer but simply presenting the best information out there on mileage and emissions.
Reduce Emissions
If you live in a state like New Jersey or Colorado, your vehicle will be required to undergo routine vehicle inspections that include emissions testing; these state inspections usually can be done at different auto service centers. Several common equipment problems can cause your vehicle to fail these inspections, such as a defective evaporative emission control system (EVAP). The EVAP's job is to block the gasoline vapors that your vehicle creates from escaping into the atmosphere. Sometimes the system fails due to faulty valves, gas caps, and vacuum hoses. Another frequent culprit is your car having a "rich fuel condition," which leads to high carbon monoxide production. This problem can be caused by something as simple as a dirty fuel filter. A defective oxygen sensor may also be to blame. The sensor reports the oxygen level in your exhaust to the engine control unit. This information is used to determine how much fuel should be injected into the engine's combustion chambers. If the sensor is off, the computer will release too much fuel and cause a rise in your vehicle's carbon monoxide emissions.
Routine maintenance and tune-ups will catch these problems before you fail your state testing. You should also see a mechanic if your automobile's warning lights come on instead of ignoring them as some people do.
Once you have chosen a green vehicle, you need to maintain it so that it remains environmentally-friendly. In some states, you will be required to pass inspections to keep your car licensed. Regular maintenance should catch these problems before you violate your state's standards. However, if you do fail a state test, consider that the required repairs will pay off by increasing your vehicle's fuel efficiency.
Share11 August 2015
When is the last time you had your brakes checked? Are you waiting until you hear the brake pads grinding into the rotors before you do anything to replace them? Does your car pull to one side when you press on the brakes? Do you feel a shimmying in your steering wheel and brake pedal as you press the pedal to stop? If you have any of these issues, it is time for you to learn how to care for the brakes on your car effectively. Taking preventative measures and getting repair work done before serious problems arise will save you money over the years.
