How to upgrade from China 5 to China 6?
3 Answers
China 5 cannot be upgraded to China 6. The main reason is that China 5 requires the carbon monoxide emissions of gasoline vehicles not to exceed 1 gram per kilometer, while China 6 requires the carbon monoxide emissions of gasoline vehicles not to exceed 0.5 grams per kilometer. Therefore, a direct upgrade is impossible. Additional information: 1. China 5 refers to the National Fifth Stage Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard, with a control level equivalent to the European Fifth Stage Emission Standard currently in effect. 2. China 6 refers to the National Sixth Stage Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard, including the emission limits and measurement methods for pollutants from light-duty vehicles and heavy-duty diesel vehicles. 3. Vehicle emission standards refer to the regulations limiting harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and soot emitted from vehicle exhaust.
As someone who frequently deals with car modifications, I want to tell everyone that upgrading from China 5 to China 6 emission standards is really not easy. You need to replace the after-treatment system, such as installing more advanced catalytic converters and particulate filters, and also reprogram the engine control unit to manage emissions. This process requires professional equipment and certified technicians, otherwise, it's prone to malfunctions. The combined cost of hardware and labor can amount to tens of thousands of yuan, almost equivalent to buying a used China 6 compliant car, so I suggest it's more cost-effective to just replace the car. By the way, after the upgrade, although the emissions meet the standards, other components of the old car will also age. In the long run, replacing it with a new car can save fuel and hassle.
As an average car owner, upgrading from China 5 to China 6 emission standards isn't cost-effective from a money-saving perspective. If you actually proceed with the modification, you'd need to replace exhaust system components like catalytic converters, plus pay for tuning and certification testing – the total cost could easily exceed 10,000 RMB. This money would be better spent adding to your budget to purchase a used or new China 6-compliant vehicle, which would come with warranty coverage and better fuel efficiency. Don't assume it's a simple modification – actual regulations make it extremely difficult to alter a vehicle's factory emission standards. That's why while driving my older car daily, I'm focusing on saving up for a replacement rather than wasting money on ineffective upgrades.
