Check Emissions System on acura

Acura Check Emissions System [Meaning, Causes & Fix]

From my experience, I can tell you that Error messages are a common occurrence on all cars but not all of them are created equal. They all vary in severity.

The Check Emissions System light is a common warning for many Acura owners. What does it mean, and how can you fix it? In this article, I’ll go over the causes and solutions for your Acura check emissions system error.

What Does Check Emissions Light Mean on an Acura?

If you have a Check Emissions System message on your Acura, it means that your car’s emissions system is not working properly.

There are a variety of problems that can cause this message to appear, including, A fuel filter or injectors that need replacing, a Leaking gas cap, and or A clogged catalytic converter.

What Causes the “Check Emissions System” Message on an Acura?

We’ve briefly touched on the most common issues that might lead to the “check emissions system” error message on your Acura. We will take a deeper dive into the specific issues that might lead to it. These are:

1. Clogged Catalytic Converter

A clogged CAT can lead to an error message appearing. The CAT is responsible for filtering and recycling emissions to levels that meet regulations.

The catalytic converter is located between the exhaust manifold and the muffler. It’s a device that changes harmful gases into less harmful byproducts by using a chemical reaction.

If it is clogged or damaged, this will result in poor fuel economy and increased emissions.

2. Dirty Fuel Injectors

The fuel injectors atomize the fuel and spray it into the engine.

If they get clogged, then your Acura will not run as it should, and the fuel-air ratio will be off, causing the engine to run lean. As a result, your Acura will display “check emissions system.”

When they get dirty and stop working properly, it can cause codes such as P0456 or P0450 to appear on your dashboard. Fuel filters ensure that any impurities in the fuel are filtered out before they reach the injectors.

Related: Acura Charging System Issues Explained.

3. Bad Oxygen Sensors

The oxygen sensor is a device that monitors the amount of oxygen in the exhaust and sends this information to the ECM. If the sensors go bad, then the check emissions light on your Acura will go on.

Fortunately, this is an easy fix, and you can get these sensors at Acura Dealership or can also get them aftermarket at a fraction of the price.

4. Leaking Gas Cap

A loose or missing gas cap allows air into the tank, which contaminates your fuel with water vapor from condensation inside your engine compartment (more on that later).

This can cause a variety of issues including stalling out when you accelerate quickly and/or misfires that pop up randomly during driving but go away once you shut off your car and start up again.  This also causes the emissions light to go on.

Can You Drive your Acura with a Check Emissions Light On?

The good news is that yes, you can drive your car with the check emissions system light on.

The reason for this is that it’s only a warning light and does not affect your car’s performance or stopping ability.

However, if you have this light on and are having issues with your car (like smoke coming from under your hood), then it may be a sign of something more serious going on.

In that case, it would be wise to take it to an Acura dealership to get them to check things out right away.

In either case, though, whether you’re having problems or not, keep in mind that driving around without getting this checked out could lead to much bigger issues down the road if something else needs replacing/repairing due to damage caused by being run when there was an issue already present.

Related Post: VSA Light on an Acura Causes

How Much Does it Cost to Fix an Emissions System on a Honda Acura?

The cost of an emissions system check varies depending on the car model, the location, and other factors. In general, the average price per service is between $50 to $150.

For example, If you live in New York City, where mechanics can charge a premium due to higher competition and overhead costs, then it’s possible that your mechanic will charge $200 for an emissions check.

In contrast, if you live in a rural area with only one mechanic who owns his own shop and has lower overhead costs, then he might be able to get away with charging $100 for this same service.

My Overall Thoughts

If you drive your Acura on the freeway, it’s definitely a good idea to have Emission Service performed once per year.

If you don’t drive your car on freeways and only use it for local driving, Emission Service may not be necessary as often.

As you can see, there are many causes for this error code and the best thing is to have your car checked by a trusted mechanic or an Acura Dealer.

Additional Sources:

https://owners.acura.com/Documentum/Warranty/Handbooks/BWL00478.pdf

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-the-emissions-light-on

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