The complex systems vehicles today include computer modules, sensors, switches, and a range of other electrical parts, and that includes the emissions system.
An onboard diagnostics system, known as OBDII, monitors operations and indicates when there are issues that need your attention. One of the functions it performs is tests to confirm your emissions system is working properly, and if it isn’t, it triggers a warning light.
Some cars are equipped with a “Check Emission System” light on the dash while others illuminate the Check Engine Light or another indicator.
It could indicate a cost-free repair like tightening the fuel cap or it could be much more expensive, like changing a catalytic converter for several hundred dollars.
As a vehicle owner, you should have a grasp on what it means when the Check Emission System warning light comes on, what you can do about it, and ways to take care of it.
What does the Service Emission System Mean?
When the Check Emissions System message appears, it means that one of the components in the emissions system is not working properly.
In many cars such as Hondas or Acuras, you will see this warning message instead of, or along with, the traditional Check Engine light.
The engine control module monitors all the engine sensors and actuators in the car engine. If there is a component that could cause problems with the emissions, the Check Emission System message will appear on the dashboard.
Signs of a Faulty Emission System
#1. Lit or blinking Check Engine or Emissions light.
Check your dashboard to see if any of the warning lights have come on. Newer vehicles may specify an “Emission System Problem” so you know what’s causing the issue. On older vehicles, you may only see the Check Engine light without any other explanation.
#2. Lower fuel efficiency.
Do you have to fill up your tank more often, or have you noticed your vehicle burns through fuel more quickly?
When there’s a problem with your emission system, it may pull more fuel into your engine and increase your gas consumption. Leaks or loose gas caps can also cause fuel to escape unused.
- If you notice your fuel efficiency drops by 12–15%, then take your vehicle to a mechanic for a tune-up.
#3. Rotten egg or gasoline smell.
When your engine doesn’t burn fuel properly, it passes through your exhaust and emission system to create a strong gasoline smell. If you notice a rotten egg smell instead, it’s a sign your catalytic converter hasn’t filtered the fumes properly.
#4. Engine sputtering or misfiring.
When your emission system pulls the wrong amount of fuel, it may flood your engine or not be enough to power your vehicle.
If you notice a misfire, see a drop in RPMs, have difficulty shifting or accelerating, or detect your engine hesitating, it may be a sign that fuel isn’t burning properly and causing your issues.
- Engine misfires are common signs of other issues as well, such as faulty spark plugs or fuel injectors.
#5. Thick, colored exhaust smoke.
Fumes coming from your exhaust pipe are normally invisible, so there’s a problem with your emissions when they become more noticeable.
If you see gray, black, or white smoke, it’s a sign toxic chemicals are getting through without being filtered out.
- Black smoke may mean there’s a problem with your vehicle’s air filter.
- Gray smoke could be a sign that unburnt fuel isn’t properly being sent back to your engine.
- Thick white smoke is a sign of leaking coolant or contamination in your emission system.
What Causes the Service Emission System Message?
Many issues cause the service emission system message. They include a loose gas cap, a manifold leak, or a dirty air filter. A defective oxygen sensor or damaged catalytic converter will also cause a malfunction in the emission control system.
#1. A Loose Gas Cap.
One possible cause of the error message is a loose gas cap. That sometimes happens after a fuel fill-up. The gas cap can break or suffer other damage besides being loose. The cap could also be missing leaving the filler neck open.
When that happens, you’re most likely to get the “tighten gas cap” message, depending on your car model. However, sometimes a fault on the gas cap will trigger the service emission system notification.
#2. Failing Air Filters.
Your car has an air filter that helps to keep impurities from entering the engine. With time, this filter gets dirty and clogged.
When that happens, the airflow decreases, causing issues in your machine. That’s because, the engine requires a specific amount of air and fuel to generate the necessary power.
A clogged filter also causes an imbalance in the air-fuel ratio. As a result, your vehicle may experience power loss and dirty smoke.
Ultimately you will get the service emission system message. Note that you may see this message instead of or along the typical check engine light. It depends on your car model.
For diesel engines, there’s what specialists call Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). As the name suggests, it helps to trap diesel particulate matter from the exhaust. The filter can also clog and fail, triggering the warning message.
#3. Manifolds Leak.
Your exhaust could have developed a crack or hole and causing fuel vapor to escape into the atmosphere.
There may also be damage to the gasket. The intake manifold may also have loosened, leading to a leak. Either way, the engine emission control system will detect the fault and turn on the warning light.
#4. A Faulty Sensor.
Your vehicle’s Emissions Control System relies on several sensors to perform its task. The most common ones are the mass air flow sensor (MAF sensor) and oxygen sensor.
The MAF sensor measures the amount of air moving into the engine through the intake manifold. It helps to ensure that a balanced air-fuel mixture is entering the engine.
On the other hand, the oxygen sensor (O2 sensor) monitors the amount of oxygen coming through the exhaust. Most cars have at least two O2 sensors.
If one of these sensors fails, the system will know and alert you through a check engine light. Sometimes the alert could be the service emissions system message.
#5. Problematic EGR System.
The EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system is a critical part of the emission control in your vehicle. This system reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) by recirculating some of the exhaust into the engine.
If there’s an issue in the EGR, the engine control unit will turn on the service emission system warning light. The issue could be a defective EGR bypass valve or a wiring problem.
#6. DEF-Related Problem.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a special solution composed of water and urea. It’s injected into diesel engines’ exhaust systems (Selective Catalytic Reduction) to convert NOx gases into less harmful emissions.
If an issue happens in the system, you’ll get a notification through the check engine light or the service emission system message. A DEF-related problem commonly occurs after filling the DEF tank using some DEF fill equipment.
#7. Defective Catalytic Converter.
A catalytic converter (Cat) is a wear-and-tear item. It typically has a lifespan of up to 100,000 miles. However, it can become damaged before that, depending on how you drive your car. The cat is a critical component of emission control.
It helps to convert harmful exhaust gases into something safer for the atmosphere. The system will send the error message in your instrument cluster when the part fails. The error contains a code P0420.
How do you fix service emission system error messages?
To fix the check emission system message, you need to inspect the gas cap and make sure it’s properly tightened. Then, you need to read the trouble codes with an OBD2 scanner and continue troubleshooting with the information you got from those codes.
#1. Inspect/Replace Gas Cap.
The easiest solution is to take a peek at your gas cap. If you left it off slightly, a simple adjustment will get you back on the road quickly. It’s also possible that the gas cap is broken, which would require a replacement.
Thankfully, replacing a gas cap doesn’t need to be expensive. On average, you might only spend $10 to $25 for a new gas cap.
#2. Check Trouble Codes.
If the gas cap isn’t to blame, it’s time to scan the engine for codes. With your OBDII code scanner, you can pinpoint where the problem lies.
When the check emission system message appears, there is a trouble code stored in the engine control module that you will want to read, as it will make troubleshooting much easier.
In some cases, the solution might be self-explanatory, making it easy to fix. Other times, you have to do further troubleshooting to figure out what’s going on.
As an example, you might see a code that shows one of the oxygen sensors is bad, but trying to figure out which one can be more complicated. You might need to reference your car’s service manual for more guidance.
#3. Replace Engine Air Filter.
If your codes indicate that there is an issue with the airflow or air-fuel mixture, checking and replacing the filter might be a good option. Check the air filter. If it’s dirty, you need to replace it. With most vehicles, it’s simple to replace the air filter with some basic tools.
It also doesn’t cost much to replace the air filter. On average, you may spend $20 to $75 for this replacement if you can do it yourself.
#4. Look for Exhaust and Intake Leaks.
If you aren’t accustomed to finding an exhaust leak, you may need some help with this step. There are special smoke machines that can be done to find the leak.
Obviously, if you see a physical defect in a pipe or the muffler, you already know where the leak is coming from, making it easier to fix.
Otherwise, it could cost you two to three hours of diagnosis from a shop to figure out the problem. Additionally, fixing the exhaust leak will vary in cost from $100 to $2,000, depending on what’s wrong.
You also want to look for intake leaks. On many Honda and Acura engines, you need to check the large hose between the MAF sensor and the intake manifold for cracks.
#5. Diagnose the Catalytic Converter.
If you see a P0420 code with the code scanner or another code related to the emission, you want to check the catalytic converter.
Above all, you don’t want to deal with a failed catalytic converter. It’s one of the most expensive fixes – not because it’s difficult to do, but because of the high price of parts due to the precious metals.
On average, you can spend $900 to $2,500 on this repair. Your best bet is to keep the cat in optimal condition to ensure a replacement isn’t needed. To do this, you want to keep the engine tuned up and remember to replace any failed parts as soon as you can.
#6. Ask for More Help.
Many of these fixes are simple for the average household mechanic. Whether you are replacing a gas cap, changing an air filter, or reading trouble codes, you should have no trouble resolving the issue on your own.
However, there are many more complicated issues you could be facing. If you aren’t familiar with these problems, or you are unsure how to fix the warning light, it’s best to get help from a professional.
In these cases, you want to search for a reliable mechanic in your area that can get the problem fixed quickly.
While price should be a main factor in who you choose, don’t automatically pick the cheapest mechanic.
Instead, you want one with good reviews who seems to care about their customers. You may even get a warranty on the work that’s performed, giving you further value for your money.
Is it safe to drive with a check emission system?
Generally, the check emission system warning signal does not necessarily affect the normal operations of a vehicle. In that case, it is possible to drive with the warning light staring at you all day long.
However, it is not safe to drive with service emission system in a 2020 3.0 Duramax engine. Even though it doesn’t hinder the car’s normal operations, the light may be drawing your attention to check out an imminent problem that may likely result in severe damage.
A faulty emission system can reduce a car’s engine performance capacity drastically, resulting in costly engine damage in the long run. Besides the damage it can cause to the car, a faulty emission system is a threat to the lives of people on the streets.
Is emission service necessary?
Emission system service is extremely important. In fact, it is one of the core aspects of routine vehicle maintenance.
It helps to keep the emission system clean and void of substances that are capable of harming the car’s engine, other people, and the environment.
Engaging in a regular emission system service will help to keep your car’s engine running perfectly without any glitches. It will also help the overall performance of the engine and keep it efficient always.
Furthermore, toxic exhaust release can be seriously harmful to humans and the ecosystem. Therefore, neglecting an emission system service will automatically expose the people around you and the environment to the negative effects of air pollution.
Therefore, performing an emission system service is not only beneficial to your car; it also ensures a healthy environment for you and everyone around you. So, try as much as possible to make it a priority.
Benefits of Service Emissions System
Having a properly functioning service emissions system has many benefits for both drivers and their vehicles.
One benefit is improved car performance as having a properly maintained emissions system can help keep your vehicle running smoother and more efficiently, leading to better fuel economy and increased engine power.
Having a well-maintained emissions system can also help reduce pollution levels in your local area, as fewer pollutants are able to escape from your car’s tailpipe and enter into the atmosphere.
How much does it cost to fix the emission control system?
There is no way to tell how much it will cost to fix the check emissions system message without first diagnosing the problem.
It can be as simple as a broken gas cap, which can cost $10 to $25, but it can also be caused by a bad catalytic converter, which can cost $1,500 or more.
Preventing Emission System Problems
#1. Have your emission system checked every 1–2 years.
Whenever you notice your vehicle’s fuel efficiency drop by about 10–15%, take your vehicle in to have it checked out and tuned up. The mechanic will inspect your emission system for any new damage and catch any problems before they have a chance to start.
#2. Use the proper fuel grade for your vehicle.
Check your vehicle’s manual or the sticker on the inside of the gas hatch to see what fuel your vehicle needs. Always use that fuel when you fill up at the gas station to ensure your engine burns it properly.
- If you use a lower-grade fuel than what’s recommended, it can cause your engine to run poorly and damage your emission system over time.
#3. Avoid cranking the engine for longer than 10 seconds.
If your vehicle isn’t starting when you turn the key in the ignition, avoid holding it in place and letting your engine crank. Your engine might be pulling fuel from your gas tank, which could leak into your emission system and cause more damage.
- Instead, diagnose why your vehicle isn’t starting or have it taken to a mechanic to solve the issue.
FAQs.
Q: What happens if I ignore the “Check Emission System” warning light?
It depends on the cause of the failure. In some cases, there may be no consequences except for the light continuing to stay on. In other situations, it could lead to a costly and catastrophic mechanical failure.
Q: Can I still drive my car with the “Check Emission System” warning light on?
It’s not recommended to drive with the Check Emission System warning light on until you know the cause. Long-lasting damage and extensive repairs can result.
Q: What is an emission system and why is it important?
The emission system in your car controls and monitors the gases that exit your car, ensuring that they are as harmless as possible on the environment.
Q: What does it mean when the emission system light comes on?
The emission system warning light indicates that there’s a fault in one of the parts associated with vehicle emissions.
Q: How often should I have my emission system checked?
Other than your routine maintenance, there’s no need to check the emission system unless the light comes on.
Final Words
Owning a car comes with great responsibility. In fact, it is easier to buy a car than to keep one running on the road perpetually. However, irrespective of the demands, never joke with a service emission system warning signal.
In some cases, the service emission system in a Chevy 2500 can be triggered by a slight electrical malfunction; at other times, it may be the result of a faulty emission system. So, ensure to implement the recommended solutions in this article.
Significant is always remember to start from simple to complex. In any case, even if it results in consulting an expert auto technician, ensure to schedule an appointment ASAP, as delay can be dangerous.