Chapter 8 · Lesson 11 of 11
Carbon monoxide
3 min read · Accidents and Emergency Situations
Explanation
Carbon monoxide from an engine can harm or kill vehicle occupants. It is most likely to enter when the heater runs, the exhaust system is faulty or heavy traffic brings in other vehicles’ exhaust. You cannot see, smell or taste it.
Symptoms can include drowsiness, dizziness, bluish skin or lips, headache and increased sensitivity to light.
Reduce the risk by checking the exhaust system, noticing unusual noise under the car and never running the engine in a closed garage. Close the fresh-air vent in congested traffic. On a highway in cold weather, open the fresh-air vent.
Example
In stop-and-go traffic, you close the fresh-air vent. Later, an unusual exhaust roar prompts you to have the system checked rather than ignoring it.
Common mistake
Waiting to smell carbon monoxide. It has no smell, taste or visible warning.
What the manual says
You cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide.
Never let your vehicle’s engine run in a closed garage
Sources
- Manual p. 62
“Carbon monoxide is most likely to leak into a vehicle when its heater is running, when the exhaust system is not working properly, or in heavy traffic where exhaust fumes are breathed in from other vehicles.”
- Manual p. 62
“You cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide.”
- Manual p. 62
“Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include drowsiness or dizziness, a bluish tinge to your skin or lips, a headache, and increased sensitivity to light.”
- Manual p. 62
“Have your vehicle's exhaust system checked regularly”
- Manual p. 62
“Never let your vehicle's engine run in a closed garage”
- Manual p. 62
“In congested traffic, close the fresh-air vent”
Check your understanding
Question 1 of 3