Drivers in Pennsylvania know their vehicles must pass an emissions test every year. This can get stressful as the car, truck, or SUV ages. What happens if the older vehicle fails the test? You won’t be able to register it until it passes a retest but don’t panic. Emissions failure is usually caused by one of six things and York Tire & Auto Service lists these problems below. We also fix all of them.
1. Old Motor Oil
If you haven’t been good about getting your vehicle’s motor oil changed, you’ll do more than fail your emissions test; you could also damage the engine. Hydrocarbons are measured during an emissions test, and old, dirty motor oil has more hydrocarbons in it. Get your oil changed before your emissions test.
2. Too Much Fuel in the Air/Fuel Mixture
An air/fuel mixture with too much fuel is a rich mixture. If the mixture has too much air, it’s lean. If your vehicle’s air/fuel mixture is full of fuel, your vehicle will fail the emissions test. The problem with the mixture might lie with your fuel injectors or the exhaust system’s oxygen sensor.
3. Problems With the Spark Plugs
Your spark plugs generate the spark your vehicle needs to start. They are set to fire in a specific order and they if fail to do so, your car, truck, or SUV could fail its emissions test. In most cases, misfiring is caused by old and worn-down spark plugs. If it’s time to replace them, do so before your test.
4. Gas Cap Is Too Loose
Your vehicle’s gas cap creates a seal to prevent the gasoline fumes in the tank from dissipating into the air. These fumes are harmful to humans and the environment. If the gas tank cap is not sealing properly, your vehicle will fail its emissions test. Even tight gas caps can have seal leaks and cause trouble.
5. Air Filter Is Dirty
The air filter is an unsung hero in your engine that is often ignored. A dirty air filter cannot do its job properly and it, too, can return a high count of hydrocarbons in your emissions test. Change your air filter every year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, to avoid any problem with your emissions.
6. Check Engine Light Warning Is On
Finally, your check engine light comes on for many reasons and some of them include your exhaust system – the system tested during an emissions test. If your check engine light is on, there’s no way your vehicle will pass the test until the issue is fixed and the light is off.
Located in Red Lion, PA, York Tire & Auto Service tests and services vehicles that have failed their emissions test. Call us todayy.
