Prepare Your Car For Winter Driving - Emission and Fuel

by DoItYourself Staff

Emission Control

Three decades ago, the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve, one of the first emission control devices, was easy to check and replace. Today's sophisticated mechanisms, however, defy most "home mechanics".

Their various controls and computers improve vehicles' efficiency and performance, but they still require periodic checking, adjusting and maintenance for optimum performance. When malfunctioning, they can cause hard starting and poor performance.

The Fuel System

Dirt is enemy number one of your car's fuel system. A common cause of hard starting and poor operation is accumulation of sediment and/or other deposits in the tiny orifices which meter the fuel to the engine.

While better grades of fuel contain detergents that can help fuel systems clean, an occasional application of additives can help remove deposits. Routine replacement of fuel filters prevents sediment in the gas tank from disabling the fuel system.