A car in tune consumes 20 percent less fuel and spews less heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Get check-ups (or do them yourself) as recommended by your owner's manual to keep your machine green. And always respond promptly to your "service engine soon" light.
These key emission control parts should be inspected during a check-up:
Charcoal canister: absorbs gasoline fumes from fuel system and routes them into the engine.
Positive crankcase ventilation valve: The PCV system recycles gases into the engine for combustion.
Exhaust gas recirculation: The EGR system cuts down on the formation of nitrogen oxides, which sunlight transforms into smog.
Fuel injectors: Deliver the right amount of fuel to the cylinders.
Catalytic converter: Turns carbon monoxide and unburned gas into carbon dioxide and water. Most converters also break down nitrogen oxides.
Other items to check during a check-up:
Dirty air filters could cause the air/fuel ratio to be too rich.
Clogged fuel injectors produce a mix too lean or too rich, which hurts your engine, your fuel economy and the atmosphere.
Worn spark plugs misfire, causing fuel to pass through the exhaust system unburned.
A thermostat that lets the engine run too cool or too hot wastes gas and increases exhaust emissions.
Change or adjust these parts according to the schedule in your owner's manual to keep emissions down.
