Carbon monoxide — Minnesota Permit Test

Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless and colorless gas produced by engines.

You cannot smell it or see it, so the only warning is how you start to feel.

Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless and colorless gas produced by engines.

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are sudden fatigue, headache, dizziness and nausea.

They read as tiredness, which is exactly why a driver keeps going instead of stopping.

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include sudden fatigue, headache, dizziness and nausea.

If you have those symptoms, open the windows, turn off the ignition and get out of the vehicle or garage.

Fresh air is the only cure, and getting to it is the whole treatment.

The only cure for carbon monoxide poisoning is a good supply of fresh air.

Carbon monoxide poisoning happens most often in winter, when vehicle windows tend to be closed.

The cold keeps the windows shut and the engine idling, which is the combination that kills.

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs most frequently during winter months when vehicle windows tend to be closed.

Avoid idling a vehicle in a garage; warming it up in the driveway is safer.

Even with the garage door open the gas collects inside and seeps into the house.

Avoid idling a vehicle in a garage. A safer place to warm up a vehicle is in the driveway.

Have your exhaust system checked if you suspect it is leaking, and do not drive with all the windows tightly closed.

A cracked pipe under the floor feeds the gas straight into the cabin.

Have the vehicle’s exhaust system inspected if you suspect it is leaking.

What is carbon monoxide?

A deadly gas with no smell or color. You cannot smell it or see it, so the only warning is how you start to feel. Minnesota Driver’s Manual, p.85: “Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless and colorless gas produced by engines.”