Finding trouble with your car early can help you avoid an unwelcome repair bill. The color of your car's exhaust can be a useful means of health checking what is happening elsewhere on the vehicle.
As your engine burns fuel and creates exhaust, a number of different processes are taking place. If you spot different colors in your exhaust emissions, you could be spotting the early signs of problems to come.
Blue or gray smoke can sometimes be seen coming from the exhaust, particularly when the car is first started. Sometimes the smoke will disappear and become difficult to spot once the engine has been running for a while.
Blue or gray smoke can indicate a number of different problems:
- There may be a problem with the piston rings. You will need to ask a technician to inspect and possibly replace the parts.
- The engine's valve seals may be worn or faulty. Again, you will need to ask a professional to replace them.
- The valve guides may be worn or damaged. This is definitely not a job that you want to do yourself.
White smoke often appears from your exhaust and may well be perfectly normal. Your car will very often emit white smoke when first started, particularly during very cold weather. The problem arises when the smoke does not go away. If your exhaust continues to emit white smoke after it has been running for some time, then there could be a problem.
- It is possible that the engine block is cracked. Your technician will need to replace it.
- One of more of the cylinder head gaskets may be faulty and will need to be replaced.
- It is possible that one (or more) of the cylinder heads has warped or cracked. You will need to ask your service department to replace the parts for you.
Black smoke is another common symptom of a car with mechanical problems. The smoke may be very thick and choking when you first start the engine and may or may not disappear when the car has been started for some time. It is also quite common for the engine to sputter or misfire at the same time.
- There could just be a problem with the air filter. You would normally be able to replace this yourself.
- It is possible that your fuel injectors are leaking. You will have to get a professional to inspect and replace.
- There could be a problem with the ignition. You should check the distributor cap and rotor or ask our technician to inspect for you.
Observing the early signs of a problem with your car could prevent huge repair bills later. It's worth learning the problems that colored exhaust emissions could indicate to help you get to the root of the issue as quickly as possible.
For more information, click here for the Folger Subaru Service Department or call (866) 306-3293
Subaru is making its entrance into the hybrid category in a big way. Anticipation is high for the dynamic 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid, slated for a late fall release. One of the biggest reasons, of course, is the model’s impressive efficiency. It’s not every day that a model has the honor of being the “most fuel-efficient and lowest-emissions AWD hybrid crossover in America” when it’s released.
But the thrills of the XV Crosstrek Hybrid go beyond fuel efficiency. You’ll love zooming down the road like the unique Plasma Green Pearl paintjob that is exclusive to the model. Add on the sleek silver-finish rear taillights, aerodynamic wheels and hybrid badges, and you’ve got one model that’s as attractive as it is efficient.
In designing their first hybrid, Subaru wanted to be certain that the line’s reputable all-wheel drive system remained intact. Utility and versatility come standard in all Subaru models, and the XV Crosstrek Hybrid’s case is no different. With a lifted ground clearance of 8.7 inches, we can tell that Subaru has made sure that the XV Crosstrek Hybrid is consistent when it comes to all-terrain performance.
And now the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the trip under the hood. The 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid gets roaring with a 2-liter, 148-horsepower boxer engine that pairs nicely with a 13.4-horsepower electric motor. The electric motor sits behind the transmission and provides assistance in midrange acceleration. Though the XV Crosstrek Hybridhas gained a few pounds (300 to be exact), spacious legroom and a modified chassis keep you from even knowing the difference. The car also has a nickel metal hydride battery pack, helping it to run on electric power alone up to 25-mph.
Subaru has always been the environmentalist’s brand. Our love for nature is just one of the reasons we choose Subaru. The 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid is a profound step in the green direction for the already eco-friendly brand. Come by this fall and check out the latest addition to the Subaru family when it arrives.
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