The evaporative emission control system prevents raw hydrocarbon vapors from the fuel tank from venting into the air. It routes these vapors into a charcoal canister where they are stored, and later purges them into the engine's intake manifold to be burned during normal combustion.
Heard on the job
It's throwing a P0442 code for a small EVAP leak, so check the gas cap first.
Insider tip
A loose or faulty gas cap is the most common cause of an EVAP system code.
Related terms
MIL
The dashboard warning light that indicates a fault detected by the engine control module.
Gas cap
A removable cover that seals the fuel filler neck to prevent fuel evaporation and contamination.
OBD
On-board diagnostics is the standardized computer system that monitors vehicle emissions and engine performance.