How to Determine Your Vehicle's Emission Standard Level?
2 Answers
Methods to determine your vehicle's emission standard level are: 1. Check the vehicle's environmental protection compliance label sticker or the first page of the vehicle certificate, both of which indicate the standard; 2. Visit the website of the Motor Vehicle Exhaust Pollution Supervision and Management Center to inquire; 3. Take the vehicle's registration certificate or a copy to the environmental protection window of the vehicle management office for inquiry. Vehicle emission standards refer to the harmful gases emitted from exhaust, including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and soot. The causes of these harmful gases vary: carbon monoxide is an intermediate product of incomplete fuel oxidation; hydrocarbons are unburned substances from the fuel; nitrogen oxides are produced during the combustion process of fuel; particulate matter and soot are substances generated when fuel burns under oxygen-deficient conditions.
After buying cars for so many years, the most straightforward method is to check the vehicle qualification certificate or invoice from the purchase. It clearly states the emission standard in black and white. If those documents are lost, look for the environmental label that might still be stuck on the windshield—long-time car owners know it indicates the emission level. Alternatively, search the official website of the environmental protection department online and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), usually found on the driver's side door pillar or under the dashboard. The result pops up instantly. A friend of mine had a 2010 model and forgot its emission standard—turned out to be China IV (National 4). He only took it seriously after getting fined in a city restricted zone. It’s wise to check periodically to avoid issues with annual inspections or urban access restrictions.
