FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
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SMOKING VEHICLES CAUSE SUMMER BLUES

(RENO, Nev.) – What’s blue, black, white and gray and pollutes the region’s air?  Emissions from improperly maintained vehicles.  The Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS) helps drivers solve the puzzle with information on the various colors of smoke coming from smoking vehicles and what they mean.  

Gasoline vehicles emit four different colors of smoke for various mechanical reasons including:

·         Blue Smoke is a result of engine oil being burned and is caused by an oil leak into the combustion chamber or worn piston rings, valves or cylinders. 

·         Black or Grey Smoke results from incomplete fuel combustion caused by a clogged air filter; carburetor, choke, fuel injection or emission system malfunction; ignition timing off; or a blocked manifold.  A vehicle with a cold engine may also emit black or gray smoke, but not after the vehicle is warmed up.

·         White Smoke indicates that coolant and or water is being vaporized in the combustion chamber and could mean the head gasket is leaking, the vehicle has a cracked block or cylinder or the engine is cold.

 Diesel vehicles also emit four types of smoke including:

·         Blue Smoke is a result of engine oil being burned or atomized and is caused by high engine oil level or worn piston rings, valves or cylinders. 

·         Black or Grey Smoke results from incomplete fuel combustion caused by a faulty injection system, clogged air filter, wrong grade of fuel, incorrect timing and engine overheating.

·         White Smoke indicates that fuel is not burning correctly and could be an indication of a faulty injection system, incorrect timing engine overheating or the engine is cold.

Poorly maintained vehicles can release as much as 10 times the emissions as a well maintained vehicle. 

Drivers can save money and the region’s air by following regular maintenance guidelines provided in the vehicle owner’s manual.  Vehicles should be inspected by an emission professional annually to test for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.       

Residents of the Truckee Meadows can easily report smoking vehicles by calling 686-SMOG.  Callers should be prepared to provide the license plate number of the smoking vehicle, the approximate time the vehicle was spotted and the location of the vehicle.  All information is confidential.

The smoking vehicle program started in 1996, resulting in more than 32,000 calls over the last five years to the DMV.  The program has helped to get more than 5,000 smoking vehicles cleaned up resulting in cleaner air for the region. 

 For more information on the smoking vehicle program call 1-877-DMV-STAT (1-877-368-7828) or access http://www.dmvnv.com/emission.htm.

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