Car exhaust (Photo credit: eutrophication&hypoxia)
If you wish to lower your car’s pollution, either because you care about the environment or because you are concerned about passing an emission test, there are several things you can do. Higher pollution often means that your car is not running as efficiently as it could, often meaning higher fuel consumption and higher fuel and repair expenses. In this article we will take a look at some basic steps you can take to reducing car pollution through auto repairs.
Fuel additives are a good way to lower your car pollution. These can be bought at most auto part stores and gas stations. Fuel additives clean your carburetor and the different ports and valves in your engine. Keeping these parts clean by occasionally using a fuel additive can reduce your car pollution and help keep our air clean. Better quality fuel can also help keep fuel emissions low. Simply use a fuel with a higher octane level rather than immediately going for the cheapest option. The premium or medium grade fuel can help your engine burn fuel more efficiently if your engine is designed for high octane fuel. It will also help your engine remain clean and prevent the buildup of residue that can cause car pollution. In many cases, premium grade fuel has cleaning chemicals that are very similar to what is contained in fuel additives.
Changing the air filter regularly can also help keep car pollution down. Change your air filter every fifteen to twenty thousand kilometers to prevent pollutants from entering your engine. When dust and other contaminants enter a car’s engine, they cause that engine to create exhaust that is dirtier and more polluting. The same is true for your motor oil. Make sure to change your motor oil every five thousand kilometers or every six months, whichever comes first. If your motor oil is dirty, it will also produce pollutants that can severely damage the environment. Avoiding gunk in your motor oil by changing it frequently and ensuring that you have a fully functioning oil filter can help your reduce car pollution considerably.
Of course, your driving habits have a strong effect on the amount of car pollution you generate. If you drive at slower speeds, shut off the engine instead of idling, and in general, drive less, you can drastically reduce your car pollution and carbon footprint. Walking or a bicycle are the most effective ways of reducing car pollution.
