1.) Why does Ontario have the Drive Clean Program?

Highway vehicles are the largest single source of emissions causing smog in Ontario. Vehicles contribute 26% of the volatile organic compounds and almost 40% of the Oxides of Nitrogen pollution emissions found in our atmosphere. Southern Ontario has been called the "smog Capital" of Canada. The Ontario Drive Clean program is helping to address the problem through mandatory vehicle emissions inspection.

2.) What exactly is the Drive Clean Program testing?

The Drive Clean program is measuring three key pollutants:

1. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
   Carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion that occurs when the carbon in fuel is partially oxidized rather than fully oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO₂).
2. Nitrogen oxide (NOx)
   Under the high pressure and temperature conditions in an engine combustion chamber, nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the air react to form various nitrogen oxides, collectively known as NOx.
3. Hydrocarbons (HC)
   Hydrocarbon Emissions result when fuel molecules in the engine do not completely burn. Hydrocarbons react in the presence of nitrogen oxides and sunlight to form ground level ozone, a major component of smog.
   

3.) What is the cost to have the emission inspection completed on my light duty vehicle?

The initial inspection fee is $35.00 plus GST, re-tests are set at $17.50 plus GST for up to two re-tests, provided the owner returns to the same inspection center and submits repair information supported by receipts. If the owner is unable to provide this information, the re-test is set at $35.00

4.) What is this repair cost limit or conditional pass that people talk about?

If your vehicle is unable to meet the set emission standards and you have your vehicle repaired by an Accredited Repair Facility, you are eligible for a repair cost limit of $450.00 (plus taxes) for registration renewal.

5.) How does the conditional pass work?

As long as your vehicle has been diagnosed and repaired at an Accredited Repair Facility and the correct paper work has been completed, (confirming that all possible repairs have been completed within the repair cost limit and the vehicle is re-tested and is still unable to meet the set emission standards) the vehicle will receive a conditional pass, allowing the owner to licence the vehicle for two more years.  Please note that a conditional pass is not valid for resale or ownership transfer when a safety standard certificate is required (i.e. out of province registration).

6.) What happens if I have my work completed at a non-accredited repair facility?

If the vehicle's repairs were completed at a non-accredited repair facility or by 'do-it-yourself', the repair cost limit or conditional pass is not applicable. The vehicle must pass completely for both ownership transfers and license registration.

7.) How can my vehicle meet current set emission standards?

Vehicles are not tested against current emission standards but against standards set for that vehicle at the time of manufacturing.  Emission standards have been made progressively tighter since they were first imposed in 1971; at the same time manufacturers have gradually introduced more effective emission control hardware to meet these standards.

McConville's is a fully accredited Test AND Repair Facility.  We can test your vehicle, as well as Diagnose and perform repairs if required, all of which are applicable to the Repair Cost Limit.  Call us at 613-748-7731 for more information or book an appointment online!