Emission Test in Canada: Why do I have to get it?

Published: 10/22/2010 by AutoShopit.


Although not all cities and provinces in Canada require an emission test, mainland Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. In Southern Ontario, the emission testing program Ontario’s Drive Clean is designed to test vehicles weighing 4,500 kg and cars which are more than 3 yrs old. Administered by Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, it requires vehicles to be tested every two years so its owner can renew his license plate. On the other hand, the AirCare emission test in British Columbia requires vehicles before the 1992 model year a yearly testing, every after two years testing for newer cars until 2002 model year, and test exemption for 2003 model year and up.

Good thing for those car owners living in areas where there is no mandatory emission testing as they won’t have to undergo this test. However, this convenience is temporary because eventually, emission testing will be mandatory to all provinces in Canada. As a country, Canada’s growing concern for air pollution is coupled with its improvement in different laws affecting the environment. As a car owner, why do have to undergo vehicle emission testing? And more importantly, why do you have to pass this test?

Basically, if you are living in an area where emission testing is mandatory, it’s your way of complying with the law. Although programs vary from places to places, all of these emission tests have corresponding sanctions. Some do not allow vehicles to be pulled off the road if it’s not emission tested, others don’t issue vehicle registration if their car failed the emission test, renewal of license plates is not allowed, and fines are charged to drivers whose car do not bear emissions compliance stickers.

Having an emission compliant car is saving the environment in your own way. The biggest contributor for air pollution is the harmful emissions coming out from automobiles. Car emissions contain several pollutants including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, VOCs or volatile organic compounds, and other harmful particles. Too much of this in the atmosphere contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer, our only protection from the sun’s harmful excessive heat. Global warming is its long term effect.

You have to get the emission test to help protect your health and of others. The harmful substances emitted by cars pose a health risk to people’s respiratory system. Breathing in nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and VOCs causes several respiratory diseases. These pollutants can trigger asthma in patients and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Polluted air is also a contributing factor for mothers to give birth to pre-term infants.

If you are planning to live in an area where vehicles are required to pass emissions test, you might as well want to consider having the test before the relocation. Also, if you are going to sell your car to someone living in a province where vehicle emission test is mandatory, you have increased chances of getting it sold if it is emission compliant.

Emission testing is usually performed in an auto shop by professional auto mechanics. The test usually involves your spark plugs, air filter, PCV valve, fuel filter, ignition system, and carburetor. To increase your odds of passing test, you have to carefully maintain your vehicle. A well-maintained engine is a clean engine when it comes to emissions.

Need to find an auto shop to perform your emissions test? search our directory and find a local auto shop that can help.  

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