How to Identify China 4 and China 5 Emission Standards for Vehicles?

[Barbara]

Here are the methods to distinguish between China 4 and China 5 emission standard vehicles: 1. Check the corresponding standard number on the vehicle conformity certificate: The emission standard number for China 4 is GB18352.3-2005; for China 5, it is GB18352.5-2013. 2. Check the environmental information vehicle list: The emission standard is clearly marked on it. 3. Check the vehicle fuel consumption label: It is usually posted on the side window of the vehicle. 4. Query the vehicle's emission standard on the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website: Open the website and find the public information query at the bottom of the page, then enter the last 6 digits of the VIN and engine number to check the vehicle's emission standard.

[BradyLynn]

Last time I helped a friend check out a used car, I specifically researched this. The most straightforward way is to check the environmental label in the upper right corner of the windshield. The China IV label is green with two stars, while the China V label is green with three stars. If the label is missing, it's not a problem—just open the vehicle nameplate near the passenger door frame, where the emission standard is clearly marked as 'China IV' or 'China V.' The car's registration year is also a good reference; light gasoline vehicles registered after July 2017 are mostly China V, while many before that are China IV. If you're still unsure, you can use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check on the 'Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website'—just enter the VIN, and the result will appear immediately. During the used car transfer process, the DMV system will also display the emission standard, which is the most authoritative information.

[Angela]

I encountered this issue when changing my car. The simplest way is to check the vehicle conformity certificate that comes with the car. On the third page in the technical parameters table, it clearly states 'GB18352.5-2013' represents China V (National 5), and 'GB18352.3-2005' is China IV (National 4). For new cars, just ask the salesperson to note the emission standard in the remarks column of the invoice. For older cars without the certificate, it's okay—open the engine compartment and look for the engine model label. For example, Volkswagen EA211 engines with CST prefix are China V, while CFB prefix indicates China IV. The manufacturer's official website has an engine model comparison table. Using a mobile app is also reliable, like 'Che 300'—just enter the license plate to display the emission level.

[KendraRose]

A couple of days ago, my neighbor asked me how to distinguish between National IV and National V vehicles. The most straightforward method is to check the registration certificate. The last few digits of the combination of letters and numbers in the 'Vehicle Model' column on the duplicate of the driving license represent the emission standard. For example, for Wuling Rongguang models starting with LZW, the ending letter A indicates National V, while B indicates National IV. Policies vary by year, so keep in mind that the main period for National IV vehicles was from 2011 to early 2017, and National V became mandatory after the second half of 2017. Some vehicles also have factory labels on the rear bumper, and scanning the QR code with a phone can reveal environmental information. A common method used by used car dealers is to check the exhaust pipe structure, as National V vehicles generally have an additional particulate filter installed.