How Can You Check Your Car Emissions?

Are you wondering if your ride can pass the emissions muster? Your Hyundai dealer is here to help with these handy tips for completing the car emissions testing process.

Car Emissions Testing

Vehicles completely or partially powered by gasoline emit gases or particles like carbon that can be harmful to the atmosphere. For this reason, many regions and states put caps on the amount of these emissions your vehicle can produce. These laws have led to an uptick in the number of certified vehicle emissions testing sites around the country.

At these sites, your car will go through a professional testing process conducted by trained technicians. In most cases, you will need to have your driver’s license, registration, and related auto documents on hand as well as the testing fee.

Onboard Diagnostics Tests

Vehicles made since the mid-1990s generally are manufactured with emissions standards in mind. Monitoring of these standards is embedded in the vehicle’s computer system. Individuals can access this system through an electronic port around the steering column known as the onboard diagnostic port.

By inserting a diagnostic device into this port, a person can monitor test cycles of the system that will give an alert if any issue or problem is detected.

Exhaust Analysis

If you have an older car or simply want a more in-depth test, this more old-school routine can also work efficiently. With this method, a device called an exhaust gas analyzer is placed in or around the tailpipe. This device provides direct measurements of a number of different types of emissions, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and nitrogen oxide.

Eliminate emissions worries entirely with the Hyundai Kona Electric. This all-electric spin on the popular subcompact Kona SUV gets all its grit from a 201-horsepower electric motor and battery pack that delivers nearly 260 miles of range on a full charge. Best of all, this zero-emissions vehicle offers an amazing 120 miles per gallon of fuel efficiency.

Symptom Check

Certain signs with your car may also signal a problem with emissions. For one, a lit-up check engine light is a major indicator. The presence of this light may be grounds for an immediate test failure, as it likely indicates your car is out of compliance with the manufacturer’s emissions standards.

In addition, other failing components of your car can and often do cause problems with emissions levels. Common malfunctioning components that impact emissions include the catalytic converter, spark plugs, ignition coil, radiator fan, and gas cap. If you notice your fuel economy seriously waning, this effect can be another key symptom of emissions issues.

How Your Hyundai Dealer Can Help

An emissions test can diagnose a problem, but it cannot provide a fix. If your car’s emissions standards are not up to par, you’ll likely get a report indicating repairs are needed. Service departments employ certified experts with years of auto experience that can take care of issues hindering your car’s efficiency and help you maintain a solid, dependable ride.

Contact Crain Hyundai of North Little Rock for service repairs and maintenance you can count on any time.

Image via Hyundai.

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