How can fuel quality impact a vehicle's emissions?

Fuel quality significantly impacts a vehicle's emissions, primarily because it influences the combustion process within the engine. Higher quality fuels typically contain fewer impurities and are formulated to burn more completely in the engine's combustion chamber. This complete combustion produces fewer harmful byproducts that contribute to emissions, such as carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and particulate matter.

On the other hand, poor fuel quality can contain higher levels of contaminants or additives that do not burn efficiently. This inefficiency can result in incomplete combustion, where not all the fuel is converted into energy, leading to an increase in harmful emissions. The presence of such impurities can affect the performance of the engine, causing it to run rich (too much fuel compared to air), which exacerbates pollution levels.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for efforts aimed at reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality, emphasizing that ensuring high fuel quality is an important step in environmental protection.