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Most drivers probably dread that moment when the check engine light pops up on their dashboard. It’s like a signal that something serious is about to go down. But do we really understand why that pesky light is there? Some may think it’s just a clever way for repair shops to snag some extra cash from our wallets. However, the truth is that check engine lights serve a crucial purpose. These lights are actually designed to alert us to emissions problems that are being monitored by our vehicle’s computer system. It’s all part of the effort to keep our emissions under control, which is especially important considering the number of vehicles on the road today. Monitoring emissions and adhering to the necessary standards is essential for keeping our vehicles running smoothly and, more importantly, for maintaining a healthier environment.

As we enter the New Year, it’s a perfect time to educate ourselves about emissions and make a resolution to stay on top of our vehicle maintenance. The concept of a “check engine light” became standard when automotive computers made their appearance in 1981. In fact, federal law states that every new vehicle sold in the United States must have a check engine light. These vehicle computers rely on information signals from various sensors to control fuel delivery, spark delivery, transmission shifting, and other performance functions. The computer constantly monitors these input signals to ensure emissions are within government-mandated standards. If any signals exceed these standards, the check engine light is triggered.

Before the Industrial Revolution, the air was not heavily laden with toxic chemicals. However, with the rise of fossil fuel production and usage in vehicles and engines, air quality began to decline. The increasing number of cars on the road after World War II further intensified this issue, bringing about more and more serious sources of pollution. Major cities became particularly vulnerable to the threat of air pollution. This led to a growing focus on vehicle emissions in the 1970s. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines vehicle emissions as the pollution generated by cars, in the form of by-products from the combustion process (exhaust) and the evaporation of fuel itself. While emissions from individual vehicles may be low, the cumulative impact of millions of cars, especially in urban areas, adds up to a significant problem. So, even if it may not feel like we’re “polluting” as we drive our own cars, the collective effect of burning fuel in so many engines can have dangerous consequences.

Gasoline and diesel fuels consist of hydrocarbons, which are compounds containing carbon and hydrogen atoms. In an ideal engine, oxygen would convert all the hydrogen in the fuel into water, and all carbon into carbon dioxide, without affecting the nitrogen in the air. However, the combustion process is far from perfect, and as a result, our vehicle engines emit various pollutants. Some of these pollutants include hydrocarbons (major contributors to smog when fuel molecules don’t burn completely), nitrogen oxides (which contribute to acid rain and ozone), carbon monoxide (which reduces oxygen flow in the bloodstream), and carbon dioxide (which may not directly impact human health but is potentially harmful for global warming).

Aside from exhaust emissions, there are also evaporative emissions to consider. These hydrocarbon pollutants escape into the air through fuel evaporation. Nowadays, with more efficient exhaust emission controls and changes in the way gasoline is formulated, evaporative emissions account for the majority of hydrocarbon pollution. They occur through various means, such as diurnal evaporation (which increases as the temperature rises during the day, causing fuel tank heating and gas vapor venting), running losses (when a hot engine and exhaust system turn gas into vapor while the engine is running), hot soak (when a hot engine emits gas vapors even after being parked), and refueling (when gas vapors escape as you fill your gas tank with liquid fuel).

By 1966, motor vehicles were responsible for over 60% of the pollutants in the atmosphere across the nation. In light of this alarming situation, measures were taken to control and limit vehicle emissions. In 1970, the Clean Air Act granted the EPA the authority to regulate motor vehicle pollution, and since then, the EPA has continuously tightened its emission policies. These standards dictate the amount of pollution a vehicle is allowed to emit, while automakers determine how to make their vehicles comply with these limits. Manufacturers were able to reduce emissions in the 1970s by improving engine designs and adding charcoal canisters to capture vapors. Over the years, there have been significant milestones in emission reduction. For instance, in 1975, the introduction of catalytic converters greatly reduced hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. Another major breakthrough occurred in 1981 with the integration of vehicle emission control technology and monitoring systems. Today, computerized diagnostics continue to identify emissions problems, following the provisions added to the Clean Air Act in 1990, which included stricter tailpipe standards, stronger and more durable parts, and computerized diagnostics.

Even now, personal vehicles account for 40% of all U.S. oil consumption and 19% of all U.S. carbon emissions. In his first term, President George Bush proposed a $1.2 billion research funding for hydrogen-powered automobiles to reduce emissions and create a cleaner environment. High vehicle emissions can pose serious threats to human health. Exhaust fumes contain a variety of chemicals and emissions that can be inhaled and transported through the bloodstream to vital organs. The respiratory system is particularly affected, with car emissions being linked to asthma, acute bronchitis, and other breathing-related diseases. Furthermore, most emissions pollutants have harmful effects on the blood, circulatory system, and central nervous system. It’s quite worrying, isn’t it? Experts warn that “toxic chemicals may also stimulate the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues, especially those lining human blood vessels. Initially, the damage may seem minimal, but with consistent exposure to toxic substances, it can accumulate and eventually lead to blockage of blood vessels, significantly increasing the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.”

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) shares this goal of improving air quality and reducing vehicle emissions, particularly in urban areas like Tucson and Phoenix. The increase in vehicle usage in these areas directly contributes to the rise in emissions. Hence, ADEQ has implemented a mandatory vehicle emissions testing and repair program called the “Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP).” This program emphasizes the importance of maintaining vehicle performance to reduce emissions and extend the lifespan of our precious cars. VEIP incorporates new testing technology and customer service measures to enhance the efficiency of emissions testing and minimize the time customers spend in the process. The result is cleaner air, faster testing procedures, and improved customer service, as stated on the ADEQ website.

But what if you fail emissions testing? Understanding testing and performance issues is critical to improving and safeguarding air quality. Failing emissions testing and surpassing regulations means that drivers must address repairs that they may have otherwise ignored. This is not only harmful to the atmosphere, but it also puts the vehicle and its occupants at risk. To encourage compliance, all new trucks built between 1981 and 1995 were subject to a federally mandated 5-year, 50,000-mile emissions warranty. This warranty covered all emissions control parts, the fuel delivery system (except for the pump, filter, and spark plugs), and the engine management system. In 1995, the federal emissions warranty guidelines changed, extending the coverage to 8 years or 80,000 miles for the powertrain control module, while shortening the coverage for other components. Once the warranty has expired, vehicle owners are responsible for emission repairs. However, there are provisions, waivers, and exceptions available, as with any other policy.

To assist drivers in navigating these emissions-related matters, the EPA has issued fact sheets such as “Your Car and Clean Air: What YOU Can Do to Reduce Pollution.” The agency urges drivers to make simple changes to their driving habits, such as avoiding unnecessary trips and maintaining their vehicles properly, in order to reduce pollution
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Ihab Salloum