Georgia's Clean Air Force: Check Engine Light Awareness Campaign

ATLANTA (August 23, 2018) – Approximately 1 in 10 drivers on the road today are traveling with their vehicle’s check engine light on, according to a CarMD study. Not surprisingly, most motorists ignore the light because it doesn’t indicate a specific issue, and as a result, they fear being faced with massive vehicle repair bills.

Georgia’s Clean Air Force (GCAF) has launched a new campaign designed to demystify the dreaded check engine light and educate motorists in the 13-county metro Atlanta region on the ways to avoid costly vehicle repairs.

“Most drivers ignore the check engine hoping it will eventually go away on its own,” explains Pamela Earl, Mobile & Area Sources Program Manager, Georgia Environmental Protection Division. “However, ignoring this critical indicator light is the worst thing you can do, as it will result in a failed emissions test or, left ignored, more costly repairs down the road.”

Following are the five most common reasons for the check engine light to illuminate, which range from minor issues, like a loose fuel cap, to other issues that can adversely impact fuel economy and, left unrepaired, lead to expensive issues.

• The Fuel Cap is Loose. A loose fuel cap is probably the easiest fix in relation to a check engine light. Tightening the cap and restarting your car will most often reset the indicator. If the cap is cracked or the rubber gasket is worn, buying a new fuel cap can help remedy the issue.
• Spark Plugs Require Replacement. Your vehicle’s ignition coils and spark plugs should be switched out periodically. When the spark plugs misfire, they impact the vehicle’s combustion chamber. Swapping out the spark plugs is an easy fix and will help your vehicles overall performance.
• Faulty Oxygen Sensors. A vehicle has anywhere from 2-4 oxygen sensors, which are responsible for monitoring a vehicle’s air-fuel mixture and adjusting the mix when needed. When an air sensor is not working properly, it can decrease gas mileage, and more importantly, increase the amount of dangerous pollutants emitted.
• The Dreaded Catalytic Converter. Ignoring your check engine light can be very costly if the issue is a faulty catalytic converter, which is responsible for reducing the amount of harmful gases that are expelled from a vehicle’s exhaust system. Replacing this vital component can be expensive, especially if the problem is ignored for a prolonged period of time.
• Mass Air Flow Sensor Needs Replacement. Your vehicle’s mass air flow sensors monitor its fuel injection system and regulates the amount of air that gets into the engine. If this particular sensor is malfunctioning or broken, it can decrease gas mileage, and more vitally, it can often cause your car to stall.

For additional information, visit Georgia’s Clean Air Force at www.cleanairforce.com.

About Georgia’s Clean Air Force
Georgia's Clean Air Force (GCAF), in partnership with the Environmental Protection Division (EPD), is responsible for the management of the Enhanced Vehicle Emission Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program throughout Atlanta's 13 metro counties. Since 1996, Georgia's Inspection and Maintenance Program has prevented more than 1.6 million tons of harmful ozone-forming pollutants from entering the air we breathe, the equivalent of removing 13,400 vehicles from the road or planting more than 400 million trees. It is also estimated that Georgia residents have saved $311 million in utility bills since 1996 due to cleaner air. The program has also identified and repaired more than 3.4 million heavy-polluting vehicles. For more information, please visit www.cleanairforce.com.