How does mom tell if her child is "coming down with something?" She probably sticks a thermometer in his mouth. How do the auto experts find out if your car is ill? They stick a probe into its tailpipe. This procedures is done thousands of times during National Car Care Month, when check lane operators find out whether or not our nation's vehicles are operating efficiently and safely.

More than a third failed the test last year, due to excessive carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and/or oxides of nitrogen. While these terms may not mean much to most motorists, the results of high emissions have a direct bearing on vehicle efficiency and performance. And to those of us who worry about the air we breathe and/or our precious ozone layer, vehicle emissions are a serious concern.

Back to the sick child. Just as the fever, combined with other symptoms, wall for remedial measures, excessive exhaust emissions indicate something under the hood needs attention. These mean malfunctions in the fuel, ignition or emissions control systems.

Those drivers who were told their cars failed the emission test may have been forewarned of impending car trouble, such as poor engine performance.

Provided as a public service by the Car Care Council