Will a Faulty Vehicle Emission System Affect Driving?
3 Answers
Yes, a faulty vehicle emission system can affect driving, with the following impacts: Impact on fuel consumption: Over the long term, poor combustion efficiency can lead to excessive carbon buildup, though it does not directly cause engine damage in the short term. Impact on safety: A malfunctioning engine emission system can compromise driving safety and reduce the engine's service life. Other effects: Due to issues with fuel or lubricant usage, the catalytic converter may suffer poisoning or reduced activity, affecting its conversion efficiency. This can lead to the formation of sulfur and phosphorus complexes, as well as deposits within the three-way catalytic converter, ultimately degrading vehicle performance. Consequences include reduced power output, increased fuel consumption, and worsened emissions.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I've indeed encountered issues with the emission system. This problem not only affects annual inspections but also noticeably reduces driving power – even flooring the accelerator feels sluggish, making highway overtaking particularly difficult. Besides the heavier exhaust smell, the dashboard might illuminate a yellow engine warning light, like when my oxygen sensor failed last time, causing fuel consumption to spike by 20%. The most troublesome episode was when the particulate filter got clogged – the entire car shook at low speeds. The mechanic warned that delaying repairs could ruin the catalytic converter, with replacement costing several thousand. Getting early inspections is truly the cost-effective approach.
Once, my car suddenly emitted white smoke from the exhaust with a pungent smell, and the diagnosis showed a fault in the after-treatment system. A friend at the repair shop told me that emission issues are like metabolic disorders in the human body—minor ones trigger the fault light and limit power output, which can be especially dangerous when going uphill in a tunnel; severe cases can cause the exhaust to overheat and burn through the exhaust pipe. He just repaired a BYD last week where a faulty fuel injector caused the exhaust pipe to melt. Besides affecting power, China VI vehicles will actively limit speed to 80 km/h. Remember to check the carbon canister solenoid valve and EGR valve—these small components actually have a high failure rate.
