Exhaust and emissions

EVs are better for the environment than an average new gasoline vehicle no matter where you live in the U.S., according to a greenhouse gas emissions calculator created by the EPA.

EGR stands for exhaust gas recirculation, and the EGR valve is part of a system that recirculates exhaust gas back into the engine’s intake manifold for a return trip to the cylinders it just left.

A catalytic converter is part of your car’s exhaust system that converts harmful engine-exhaust pollutants into something less harmful to the environment.

A general recommendation is to replace the positive crankcase ventilation, or PCV, valve every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

Ram will recall more than 600,000 heavy-duty pickup trucks to reprogram their emissions-control systems after it was discovered that the trucks contain software that allowed them to emit more than the acceptable level of nitrogen oxide.

In a word, the car exhaust smoke is caused by condensation — in two separate events. It’s similar to why you can see your breath on a winter day.

Problems with your vehicle’s catalytic converter might first become apparent through poor acceleration, a rotten-egg smell from the exhaust, or the check-engine light coming on.

While there are other potential causes of a sulfur smell around your car, the most likely is probably a faulty catalytic converter.

Oxygen sensors are not among the maintenance items that need to be replaced regularly, so they typically are replaced only when they fail.

Toyota has given its 4Runner several updates for 2020, bringing this SUV’s rugged looks and off-road capability into the new decade.