Tara GreavesYoung mechanics have added another skill to their 'tool boxes' after taking part in a national project at City College Norwich to make cars greener.Tara Greaves

Young mechanics have added another skill to their 'tool boxes' after taking part in a national project at City College Norwich to make cars greener.

The motor vehicle students measured emissions before and after servicing of the fuel injection system, collecting data about how good vehicle maintenance can help reduce a vehicle's carbon footprint.

The Carbon Footprint Reduction Programme is run by the company ASNU UK, with the objective of measuring how servicing car engines' fuel injector valves can reduce exhaust pollution.

ASNU representatives are visiting colleges across the country giving students the latest technical training while collecting data about the value of proper servicing in an effort to encourage vehicle manufacturers to recommend fuel injector servicing on new models.

Bradley Takooree, 20, from Norwich, was one of those who took part in the training.

He said: 'This experience will really help us in the future because it means that we stand out when applying for jobs, it is so unique and not many other people can say they have done it.'

Pollution from exhaust emissions is worsened by un-burnt fuel and ASNU aim to show how regular servicing can help ensure that fuel is delivered into the engine in the correct amounts, patterns and at the correct times to ensure efficient combustion.

The students, based in the college's school of technology, also learnt how servicing of the injection system on older cars can reduce emissions, making cars more fuel efficient and helping to reduce wear and tear on engine components.

Student Chris Myhill, 18, from Lenwade, said: 'We have learnt more about injectors and what parts there are to them, I really enjoyed watching how the injectors work clearly on the ultra sonic machine.'

This is the latest in a series of initiatives undertaken by the college to provide motor vehicle students with the skills they will need as the motor industry moves towards more sustainable, low carbon technologies for the 21st century.

Other recent projects have included improving air conditioning maintenance and, as part of the college's Go Green Week, students produced a video on how more efficient driving can help to reduce the carbon footprint from motoring.

Maurice Brown, lecturer, said: 'This experience will really make students stand out when applying for jobs as it's a specialist technique. It's good to see students working on new technologies that could help with sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.'