Maintaining Your Porsche’s Emission Control Systems
Precision engineering ensures your Porsche is capable of an outstanding performance, but like every car, routine care is important.
Scheduling a Porsche emission maintenance service at the Porsche Stevens Creek Service Center will help prevent any problems and keep your Porsche in prime condition.
Porsche Emission Maintenance: How to Tell If You Need It
Reduction in Fuel Efficiency
If you are filling up with gas more frequently but you’re not driving more miles, there could be a problem with the emissions system. A clogged or malfunctioning catalytic converter can make the engine work harder, burning more gas in the process. Faulty oxygen sensors may also be the culprits, altering the air-to-fuel ratio and reducing fuel efficiency as a result.
Unusual Odors
A telltale rotten egg odor in the cabin is a strong indicator there’s a fault with the Porsche’s emissions. When the catalytic converter starts to fail, one of the early signs is an unpleasant sulfur smell. This is because one of the roles of the catalytic converter is to break down gases. When it’s no longer able to do this, emissions rise and an odor creeps into the cabin.
If there is no rotten egg smell but you notice a strong gas odor instead, there may be a problem with the evaporative emissions control system (EVAP). This is responsible for trapping fuel vapor and helping to control emissions. When this is malfunctioning, the fumes may escape and cause a strong smell of gas within the car.
Changes in the Engine Sound
The sound of a Porsche is distinctive, offering a throaty purr at lower revs and building to a powerful growl during acceleration. It’s important to become familiar with how your engine sounds in all conditions, as any changes can indicate there’s a problem. If you notice any hissing or popping, or if the sound becomes abnormally loud or muffled, your emissions system could be to blame.
Potential issues could include a failing muffler or a leak somewhere within the exhaust system. This could be due to a hole in the manifold, cracks in the exhaust pipes, or another visible defect. You will probably notice a corresponding drop in performance too, with reduced engine power disrupting acceleration or causing rough idling.
Failed Tests
In some cases, you may not notice the early signs of an emissions problem and will only find out when your Porsche fails an emissions test. This means that not only is your vehicle failing the environmental regulations, but further damage could be taking place within the emissions system. A comprehensive service from a certified technician can rectify the problem and prevent any damage from escalating.
If you have noticed your Porsche has a problem or you just don’t feel that things are quite right, we can help. Contact us here today at Porsche Stevens Creek in Santa Clara, CA, to schedule an appointment right away.