What does it mean when roadside testing detects excessive exhaust emissions?
4 Answers
Roadside testing screens displaying emission non-compliance refers to excessive exhaust emissions. When a vehicle is driving on the road, the electronic screen will show excessive exhaust emissions. If remote sensing detects non-compliant exhaust emissions, the owner may face fines, and traffic police will issue a notice requiring corrective action within a specified period. The vehicle owner must then undergo re-inspection according to regulations. Additional information: 1. Working principle: When a vehicle passes by and its exhaust emission data exceeds standards, remote sensing testing will record the license plate number of the non-compliant vehicle through data analysis. The traffic management department's networked database can then retrieve other detailed information about the non-compliant vehicle and notify the owner to repair the vehicle before conducting another inspection. Traditional manual testing of vehicle exhaust emissions has many inconveniences, not only taking a long time but also involving lengthy procedures. 2. When a vehicle is in motion and the electronic screen displays non-compliance, after traffic police issue a notice requiring corrective action for excessive exhaust emissions, the owner must take the vehicle to the environmental protection department for re-inspection within 15 days. Failure to do so will result in penalties for the owner.
A while ago, I also encountered an exhaust emission warning, meaning the car's emission data exceeded the national environmental standards. Older cars are most prone to this issue—carbon buildup in the engine leads to incomplete fuel combustion, clogged fuel injectors, or a dirty air filter, all of which disrupt the air-fuel mixture ratio. If the catalytic converter is clogged or damaged, it’s the most troublesome, directly affecting exhaust purification. I suggest first filling up with two tanks of high-octane gasoline and taking a highway drive to clear carbon deposits. If that doesn’t work, head to a professional repair shop to have them scan the trouble codes and check the oxygen sensor and catalytic converter. Replacing a sensor for a few hundred might solve the problem. Avoid cheap gas stations in daily use—low-quality fuel is especially harmful to the car.
Excessive exhaust emissions simply mean the vehicle is too heavily polluted. If caught on the road, you'll face fines or even have your car impounded. I just helped a friend deal with this issue. The most common causes are faulty oxygen sensors leading to inaccurate fuel injection control and incomplete combustion, or old spark plugs with insufficient ignition energy. Remember to check for exhaust pipe leaks, as cracks in the muffler can also affect readings. For older vehicles, it's recommended to drive for half an hour to warm up before testing, as cold engines are more prone to exceeding standards. Also, avoid having tire pressure too low to reduce load, and try to clear out any unnecessary items in the car. If repairs are needed, prioritize catalytic converter regeneration treatment, which is much cheaper than replacement.
Excessive emissions are usually caused by an aging or heavily carbon-fouled catalytic converter, which is responsible for purifying exhaust gases. Poor fuel quality and frequent short-distance driving can easily damage it. It's also essential to inspect the engine's intake system, as excessive carbon buildup on the throttle body leading to insufficient air intake can cause air-fuel ratio imbalance. Additionally, prolonged low-RPM driving can easily clog the catalytic converter - running at higher RPMs in lower gears during highway driving has a cleaning effect. If the emission test fails, don't force the vehicle to undergo re-inspection; driving with excessive emissions can result in fines up to 2000 yuan if caught.
