Enhanced Vehicle Emissions Inspection & Maintenance

Air pollution is a serious public health and environmental problem in Pennsylvania. Motor vehicles contribute significantly to overall levels of air pollution. In fact, in Pennsylvania, vehicle emissions represent about one third of total air emissions. High traffic areas bear a heavier burden of these emissions, so it's not surprising that metropolitan areas often struggle to meet air quality health standards and need to adopt programs to control vehicle emissions.

The federal Clean Air Act requires many areas of Pennsylvania and surrounding states to establish testing programs for motor vehicles to ensure that they are not emitting excessive amounts of air pollution.

Some form of automobile emissions inspections are now performed in 25 counties in Pennsylvania. The testing can reveal the presence of elevated levels of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. In most cases, the tests are annual.

Common reasons for failing vehicle tests include problems with the catalytic converter or the oxygen sensor. In many cases, failure won't be predicted by visible smoke from the tailpipe. There are three types of vehicle testing now in place in Pennsylvania, depending on where the vehicle is registered. Traditional tailpipe exhaust analyzers can test a vehicle at idle and at acceleration. On-Board Diagnostics is a newer form of testing, hooking up the computers in 1996 and newer vehicles with service station computers to display failing components which are likely to be responsible for high emissions. Lastly, visual inspection / anti-tampering and gas-cap, involves checks to see that devices on a vehicle that limit emissions have not been removed or improperly adjusted and that the gas cap is present and preventing vapor leaks. For more information on these tests, and where to get the ones that apply to you, go to: www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us

Smoking Vehicles

Though not as common as it used to be, the sight of a vehicle with visible smoke coming from the tailpipe is still a somewhat regular occurrence. If smoke is visible for 10 seconds or more, there is a real problem with the vehicle. A smoking vehicle contributes 10 to 15 times more pollutants than does a properly maintained one. It is best to avoid breathing this exhaust.

The major components of vehicle smoke all have significant health impacts:

• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) - These contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog. Breathing smog can decrease lung function, inflame lung tissue, and, with chronic exposure, lead to permanent lung damage.
• Hydrocarbons (HC) - These toxic chemicals are produced at a much higher level in poorly maintained vehicles. Breathing hydrocarbons can have many health effects, ranging from respiratory damage to damage to the immune system and increased risk of certain cancers.
• Fine Particulates (PM2.5) - Also produced at higher levels by smoking vehicles, these particulates can lodge deep in the lungs and cause serious respiratory disorders.

And when there is smoke, problems with critical engine components may be the cause. Compare the color of the smoke from your tailpipe with this chart and to help diagnose what's happening inside:

*In the case of diesel vehicles, there is no requirement for vehicle emissions inspection & maintenance in Pennsylvania. Diesel vehicles still contribute to air pollution, particularly when they are smoking. Yet, diesel vehicles should not be expected to emit smoke, except upon hard acceleration. Looking into the reasons for smoky emissions in the chart can be helpful.

What Should You Do?

The best thing to do is get your vehicle fixed. Repairs usually run between $60 and $400, depending on the type of problem. In the long run, properly maintaining your vehicle will save money! It will increase fuel efficiency so that you spend less on gas, and it will prevent more costly repairs in the future. Also, by improving air quality, we can decrease medical costs for everyone.

Prevention Is the Key

*Properly maintain your vehicle. Check the oil and antifreeze levels regularly. Keep the correct tire pressure in the tires.

*Take your vehicle in for tune-ups. This is the best way to prevent a problem from developing in the first place.

*Pay attention to warning lights! Do not ignore what could be your first indication of problems to come.

Stop Smoking!

By taking these steps, a motorist can avoid contributing disproportionately to the air pollution problems in the Commonwealth and not be the source of other drivers', cyclists' and pedestrians' aggravation.