Welcome to Emissions Guide
Automotive Emissions Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Understanding Your Car's Emissions Control System
from:Every car is equipped with an emissions control system that works to minimize the hazardous materials produced by your vehicle during operation. The newer your vehicle the more sophisticated the emissions control system is likely to be, with the older vehicles having very limited systems.
There are several components to your vehicles emissions control system, with each part working together to keep your car operating as cleanly as possible. The first part of the emissions control system is the computer that monitors the content of the exhaust produced by the engine. When fuel to air ratios are incorrect the engine is not working at peak efficiency and will produce a lot more hydrocarbons. The emission control system automatically notes this inefficiency and signals the air and fuel intakes to adjust, correcting any problems in the ratio and resulting in a cleaner and more efficient motor. This is all done in real time as the engine is operating, and the driver and passengers are not aware of these constant adjustments and monitoring of the system.
Another part of the emissions control system in your vehicle is the catalytic converter. This is a part of the exhaust system that is located just before the muffler and acts as an additional area where carbon monoxide can be oxidized into water and carbon dioxide. The catalytic converter is designed like a radiator, with a mesh or honeycomb appearance that allows maximum contact of the exhaust with the platinum or palladium in the catalytic converter, resulting in the oxidation as the hydrocarbons touch the metals. During this oxidation process heat is released, resulting in the catalytic converter becoming very hot, sometimes hot enough to almost glow when the exhaust is very dirty and contains high levels of hydrocarbons. When the catalytic converter overheats, this also sends a signal to the car's computer through the emission control system, resulting in a signal to the driver by a light on the dash or a computer systems test result in newer models.
The third major components in an emissions control system are the various valves located along the exhaust system and during the actual burning of the fuel through combustion. These valves all have to continue to work at the right time and in the right balance to provide optimum performance for the engine. Drivers of newer model vehicles have the luxury of having these valves monitored by the computer on the vehicle, helping with diagnostic tests when fuel mileage and performance is poor. Some of the new models of vehicles even directly email owners with a performance print out that can be taken to a mechanic or even emailed to your repair shop or dealership to keep on file for your next scheduled tune up.
Automotive Emissions Specific links
Automotive Emissions News
FEDERAL-MOGUL EXHAUST SLEEVING PROVIDES CUSTOMIZABLE FLEXIBLE DESIGN TO ... - Reuters
FEDERAL-MOGUL EXHAUST SLEEVING PROVIDES CUSTOMIZABLE FLEXIBLE DESIGN TO ... Reuters "Thermflex insulating sleeves are a highly-engineered solution, designed to help vehicle manufacturers meet stringent and evolving emissions regulations," said Janice Maiden, vice president and business director, Federal-Mogul Systems Protection. |
Prospect of Economies of Cost and Reduced Emissions to Drive Alternate Fuel ... - MarketWatch (press release)
 Torque News | Prospect of Economies of Cost and Reduced Emissions to Drive Alternate Fuel ... MarketWatch (press release) However, the key to sustained growth in the alternate fuel vehicle market will be legislation and the development of enhanced refuelling infrastructure. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan ( http://www.automotive.frost.com ), Executive Analysis of the ... Demand for alternate fuel vehicles to rise in Europe, North America by 2018 ... |
Advanced power switches boost micro hybrid emissions gains - EE Times
Advanced power switches boost micro hybrid emissions gains EE Times Start-stop operation of a car (shutting the engine when momentarily stopped) is a simple concept that can go a long way in improving fuel economy and cutting emissions. Among around 80 million cars produced worldwide in 2011, the internal combustion ... |
North American Microelectric Vehicle Market's Launch of 34 New Base Models to ... - MarketWatch (press release)
North American Microelectric Vehicle Market's Launch of 34 New Base Models to ... MarketWatch (press release) Tighter emission controls, heavy investment costs, range anxiety, rising vehicle costs from the addition of new components as per legislative norms, and the limited speed of vehicles in the low-speed vehicle (LSV) and MSV segments restrict the capacity ... |
United States : Jim McKelvey Joins Emerald Automotive Board - Utility Products
United States : Jim McKelvey Joins Emerald Automotive Board Utility Products Emerald Automotive, the low emissions, extended-range electric commercial van company, announced today the appointment of Jim McKelvey to its board of directors. "We are absolutely delighted to have Jim join our Board," said Emerald CEO Andy Tempest. |