Emission Testing in Lahore: How It Works & Why It Matters

Recognizing that vehicular emissions are a leading contributor of the smog, the Punjab government has initiated systematic vehicle emission testing to mitigate air pollution. This article delves into how emission testing is carried out in these testing facilities and what do they actually check for in order to mark the car pass or fail.

The Emission Testing Procedure Explained

Government-appointed emission officers use emission analyzing equipment during vehicle inspections. The primary tool used by these officers is an exhaust gas analyzer, a machine equipped with sensitive sensors specifically designed to measure Carbon Monoxide levels coming out from the exhaust.

When you arrive at the emission testing facility, the procedure begins by the officer inserting the machine’s sensor into your vehicle’s exhaust pipe. Once properly inserted, officer will ask you to start your vehicle’s engine and keep it running at idle speed for about 3-4 minutes. During this time, the sensor continuously collects and analyzes the gases emitted through your vehicle’s exhaust system.

The analyzer records precise levels of carbon monoxide (CO) for petrol vehicles. If your car is emitting CO gas levels higher than 6%, the testing officer will mark your car unfit and will leave you with a warning advising to get it fixed by your mechanic.

Why Carbon Monoxide is So Important in Emisstion Testing?

You might be thinking why government is putting so much focus on this CO gas particularly? There are other harmful gases as well that internal combustion engine emits, but emission testing measures the CO gas particularly. It’s because CO gas is one of the reasons behind smog that appears during the humid season from October to December. This gas is highly toxic and dangerous, primarily generated by incomplete combustion of fuel in internal combustion engines.

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and extremely harmful for humans’ respiratory system. When released into the atmosphere, it reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) particularly prevalent in Lahore due to high vehicle density and older, poorly maintained cars. When all these gases react in the presence of humidity and sunlight, it forms smog.

Consequences of Failing the Emission Test

If your car’s emission test reveals carbon monoxide levels exceeding 6%, it will be marked unfit. Officers will issue an official warning advising immediate corrective actions. Although no immediate fines are being issued as of now, compliance with emission standards will become mandatory in the smog season with challans if your car is spotted without green sticker.

More significantly, vehicles failing emission tests directly contribute to Lahore’s severe air quality problems, affecting public health and safety. Therefore, it becomes the vehicle owner’s responsibility to promptly rectify the issue.

How to Get Your Car Emission-Test Ready

The most critical component for reducing carbon monoxide emissions in petrol-driven cars is the catalytic converter. This device is specifically engineered to convert harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide into significantly less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapor. A well-functioning catalytic converter effectively lowers harmful emissions, thereby improving air quality.

If your vehicle is older and lacks a catalytic converter, installing one is crucial. Conversely, if your vehicle already has a catalytic converter installed but still fails emissions tests, the issue might simply be a dirty or clogged converter. Regular maintenance, including cleaning the catalytic converter, can drastically reduce emissions. Maintenance services specializing in exhaust systems can thoroughly clean or repair the converter, restoring its efficiency.

Additionally, proper engine tuning is essential. Simple maintenance tasks such as timely oil changes, replacing spark plugs, and ensuring the air filter is clean significantly impact emission levels. Optimal combustion efficiency reduces unburned fuel particles that contribute to carbon monoxide production.

Bonus: Why Smog Only Appears During October to December Month?

Smog in Pakistan, particularly in urban areas such as Lahore, usually  peaks between late October and early December. This seasonal occurrence is largely due to specific atmospheric conditions, including temperature inversions, where cool air becomes trapped beneath warmer air, preventing pollutants from dispersing upward.

During these colder months, lower wind speeds and high humidity and fog prevalent in winter months facilitate chemical reactions among pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), intensifying smog formation.

Human activities significantly contribute during this season, particularly due to increased vehicle emissions, widespread crop burning after harvest, and greater fuel usage for heating purposes. In contrast, summer conditions usually involve higher temperatures, stronger sunlight, and stronger winds, which collectively help pollutants disperse

Understanding how emission testing works, the significance of carbon monoxide reduction, and the simple corrective measures you can take makes you a responsible vehicle owner. Let us know what you think about this blog?