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Emissions Test – The Basics

After getting a ticket for not having an emissions test done I was determined to find out what, exactly, I needed to do to avoid fines in the future. I also wondered what the mechanics look for when they conduct an emissions test and how that contributes to lower levels of pollution. I figure, by knowing more about the whole process I can keep myself and others safer.

So, first off, each state in the U.S. and each province or territory in Canada has their own standards for emissions testing. I happened to get mine done in Ontario, but if you want to know what the standard is in your area then you can Google “emissions testing” and add the geographic location – state or province – in which you’ve registered the car.

In most cases, an emissions test needs to be conducted either annually or once every few years. In Ontario, emissions are regulated through the Drive Clean program and you must get your car e-tested (emissions tested) once every five years, although if you’re driving a larger truck you may still be required to get it tested annually. Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment has contracted out this testing to privately owned garages so it’s easy to find a place to get this done and some mechanics even offer savings if you get a safety test done at the same time.

After paying a hefty fine, I wanted to know how such a test could actually reduce the amount of pollution my car puts out. So, when I went to get my test done, I asked the mechanic what, specifically, they looked for.

“Well, every car gets a gas cap pressure check – no matter what.” Said the mechanic.

“And what’s that checking for?” I asked.

“Make sure none of the fuel vapours are escaping,” he turned towards me, like he was revealing a secret. “See, fuel vapours can leak out of your car and then sit around to become what they call ground level smog.

“We also check your brakes, we check for leaks, and throw your old beauty up on the dynamometer where we run her for a bit and test the gasses coming out the tailpipe.”

“What do you mean by gasses?” I asked. “Isn’t there supposed to be something coming out of the exhaust?”

“Well, we’re testing the levels of various chemicals that make up that ‘something’. In particular we test for carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and various other hydrocarbons that contribute to pollution” he said.

The mechanic went on to explain that getting this checkup done would save me money in the long term.

“You stand to spend lots more cash on gas if you don’t get your exhaust system checked like this every so often.”

By making emissions testing a law the government of Ontario has stirred some controversy. Several leading environmentalists critique the regulations, saying that the heavy cost of the bureaucracy outweighs the benefit of the program. However, the provincial legislators have clearly taken a step in the right direction. Even our idle conversation turns to these broad issues. The lawmakers have succeeded in establishing public health and safety as a priority – and that can’t be a bad thing.

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Reference: Parts