How can regular maintenance affect vehicle emissions?

Regular maintenance plays a crucial role in keeping a vehicle's emissions within acceptable limits. This is primarily because maintenance tasks—such as oil changes, air filter replacements, and proper tuning of the engine—ensure that the vehicle operates efficiently. When a vehicle is well-maintained, it is more likely to burn fuel effectively, which results in a complete combustion process. This efficiency minimizes the production of harmful emissions, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and unburned hydrocarbons.

Additionally, maintaining the exhaust and emission control systems—such as the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors—ensures they function properly, further reducing harmful emissions. Vehicles in poor maintenance condition, on the other hand, can suffer from issues like reduced fuel efficiency and increased emissions due to incomplete combustion or faulty emission controls. Therefore, routine maintenance directly contributes to achieving and retaining lower emissions, benefiting both the environment and compliance with emissions regulations.