Is your car polluting the environment? Check out what needs to be taken care of!

Although many of us believe that ecology is associated with expensive modern technologies, in fact, everyone can make at least a small contribution to protecting the environment. Moreover, ecology and economy go hand in hand in a car. You just need to know what contributes to the air pollution in our car, and then take care of replacing those elements!

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Clearly defined standards for the concentration of airborne dust and other hazardous substances in Europe are driving changes in the automotive industry. For more than twenty years, manufacturers have been trying to comply with stricter regulations. At that time, systems such as particulate filters, secondary air pumps, modern lambda sensors and an exhaust gas circulation system appeared. The newer the car, the more advanced technologies it can possess. However, each of these elements requires proper care in order to fulfill their role. We must not forget about regular inspections, changing filters and oils, as well as about such commonplace things as replacing winter tires with summer ones.

Fighting smog

In recent years, air pollution rates have risen alarmingly across Europe, including Poland. Now there is a lot of talk about smog and how to deal with it. Most of the pollution comes from car exhaust fumes. Therefore, in large cities, public transport is free on days when the concentration of smog is especially high. This will encourage drivers to use collective transport in order to reduce the number of vehicles leaving the streets.

Automotive and fuel concerns are trying to introduce more and more modern pro-environmental solutions into manufactured car models and exclude harmful chemical compounds from fuel. However, the increase in the number of cars has a negative impact on the state of the environment. A car is an important tool for most of us: not everyone can and wants to afford to put it in a garage for the sake of protecting the environment. So it's worth figuring out what's really causing our cars to have a bad effect on air quality and how to deal with it without giving up on your four wheels.

What's in the exhaust?

The exhaust fumes from cars contain many substances that are hazardous to both the environment and our health. Most of them are carcinogens. One of the most obvious components of the exhaust gas is carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas. In small quantities, it is relatively harmless to humans, but has a negative impact on the environment. They are much more dangerous. nitrogen oxideswhich irritate the respiratory system and, when released into the soil, release carcinogenic compounds. Another substance is Carbon monoxide, that is, carbon monoxide, which binds to hemoglobin and interferes with blood circulation, which leads to tissue hypoxia. Since the end of the last century, catalytic reactors have significantly reduced the presence of carbon monoxide in vehicle exhaust gases. However, high levels of this chemical are still found in high traffic areas such as tunnels and car parks. They account for a large proportion of the exhaust gases. suspended dust... They irritate the respiratory system and serve as a transport medium for heavy metals. Diesel engines are the main source of dust emissions. Therefore, although diesel engines have enjoyed increased interest during the soaring gasoline prices, they are currently under censorship. Despite the use of advanced production technologies by corporations, the problem of diesel dust emissions has not disappeared. It is also highly carcinogenic in exhaust fumes. BENZOL, being a volatile fuel impurity, and Hydrocarbons - the effect of incomplete combustion of fuel.

The amount of hazardous substances in the exhaust gases of cars is large and does not sound very optimistic. However, not only what is emitted from the exhaust system has an impact on the environment. The use of automobiles also causes emissions from tire rubbing against asphalt, as well as other dust and pollutants lying on the road and emitted from the wheels of vehicles. Interestingly, studies show that the concentration of certain substances inside a car is several times higher than in its surroundings. As a result, drivers are extremely vulnerable to their harmful effects.

What does the EU say?

In response to environmental demands, the European Union has introduced emission standards for new cars sold in its territory. The first Euro 1 standard came into force in 1993 and since then the directives have become more stringent. Since 2014, the Euro 6 standard has been applied to passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, and the European Parliament plans further tightening by 2021. However, this applies to new cars and their manufacturers. Meanwhile, a fine of PLN 500 and the preservation of the registration certificate for exceeding the burning speed threatens each of us. So we have to take care of the ecology ourselves in the old models.

What affects the quality of the exhaust gas?

If the fuel we buy was a stoichiometric mixture, that is, it had an optimal composition, and if its combustion in the engine were a model process, only carbon dioxide and water vapor would come out of the exhaust pipe. Unfortunately, this is just a theory that has little to do with reality. Fuel does not burn completelyIn addition, it is never “clean” - it contains many impurities of substances that, moreover, do not burn.

The higher the engine temperature, the more efficient combustion in the chamber and less pollution of the exhaust gases. Continuous driving at a constant speed also requires less fuel than maneuvering, not to mention ignition. This is one of the reasons why driving on the road is more economical than short distances in the city. More economical - and at the same time environmentally friendly.

What should we care about?

Tires

The amount of fuel consumed is affected by the load on the engine: with high resistances, much more is required. Of course, there is nothing we can do, whether we are going against the wind or whether our car is more or less streamlined. However, we have an effect on the resistance due to the degree of adhesion to the substrate. Therefore, it is worth taking care of technical condition your tires. Because a worn and thinner tire has less rolling resistance than a deep tread tire, it will also have poorer traction. A car that slips and reacts late to the steering wheel is not only a safety hazard, but also consumes more fuel. For the same reason, you should take care of the correct tire pressure and do not forget to replace them with summer tires in spring, and in autumn with winter ones. The right tires are not only safer and more economical, but also provide more driving comfort. It is worth noting that they have already appeared on the market. ecological tires with reduced rolling resistance while maintaining the appropriate grip parameters.

ENGINE

The condition of our engine is a guarantee of safe, economical and environmentally friendly driving. In order for the engine to serve us as well as possible, we must take care of it. The basis is the right lubrication, which will be provided by a well-chosen machine oil. Not only does it protect the engine and reduce wear, but it also helps maintain the right temperature and has a cleansing effect. Oil-washed sediment and unburned fuel particles are filtered out and dissolved in the filters. For this reason, you should remember to replace it regularly - the mineral needs to be changed every 15 thousand. km, and synthetics every 10 thousand km. Always replace the oil filter with it.

Also remember about control air conditioningwhich puts a lot of stress on the engine. If it is faulty, it may indicate a blockage. cabin filterwhich causes overheating of the entire system.

Exhaust

Also, let's not forget about regular checks. Exhaust systemfailure of which can lead to engine malfunctions and even the penetration of exhaust gases into other systems of our car. Let's check items like collector, that is, a channel for exhausting exhaust gases from the combustion chamber into the exhaust pipe, and catalystwhich is responsible for the oxidation of carbon monoxide II and hydrocarbons, and at the same time reduces nitrogen oxides. Let's also remember about Lambda probe - an electronic sensor that checks the quality of exhaust gases. Based on the readings of the lambda probe, the control computer determines the appropriate proportions of the air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine. If this part of the exhaust system does not work properly, the vehicle's fuel consumption increases and engine power decreases. Let's check the condition muffler and flexible connectorNeglect of which will not only increase the noise level in our car, but can also lead to a backflow of exhaust gases into the cabin.

Diesel particulate filter

Cars are required nowadays. particulate filterespecially true in diesel engines. Its task is to prevent the leakage of harmful substances from the combustion chamber and burn them out. To do this, the engine must be warmed up to a very high temperature. Therefore, the afterburning of solid particles occurs mainly at large distances. The faulty exhaust system indicator will let us know if the filter is dirty, which will lead to a power cut. Self-cleaning DPF "on the road" is extremely important, but not always effective. Luckily, it can also be cleaned with a specially formulated cleaner.

Exhaust gas recirculation

If your vehicle is equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, which reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by lowering the combustion temperature of an oxygen-poor air / fuel mixture and oxidizing hydrocarbons, it is worth checking out valve tightness... Blocking it can cause engine malfunction, damage to the lambda probe, or smoke from the engine.

Regular inspection

A technical inspection of a car is the responsibility of every car owner, but not all diagnostic stations reliably approach this issue. One way or another, the technical inspection checks only some of the working elements, such as the uniformity of tire wear, the correct operation of the lighting, the performance of the brake and steering systems, the condition of the body and suspension. It is worth developing the habit of regular extended inspections, during which dates will be checked, all fluids and filters will be changed, and catalytic fluids will be topped up in vehicles with DPF filters.

Europe is the most populous and urbanized continent on the planet. According to WHO estimates, this is about 80 people. its inhabitants are dying from diseases caused by road pollution. No wonder the European Union's environmental standards are so strict. Drivers who spend a lot of time in their cars are the most exposed to the harmful effects of substances contained in exhaust gases. Taking care of the health of others and your own, it is worth taking care of the technical condition of the car and regularly replacing worn parts.

You can always find auto parts and accessories on the website avtotachki.com!

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