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D6 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesdsay March 17,1999 LOCKWOOD w m C H R Y S L E R Bring us your vehicle for emission testing & repair. C om plete Drive C lean Testing & Repair Facility For an appointment call 845-6653 175 WYECROFT ROAD TOW NE CHEVROLET OLDSMOBILE INC. Accredited Test & Repair DRIVE CLEAN FACILITY Service Hours Mon.-Fri. 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat. 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 547 Trafalgar Road, Oakville (905) 844-2320_________ 'll g o to an lengths TO GET YOUR BUSINESS AUTOMOTIVE 844-4088 570 A rgus Rd., (across from Oakville GO Station) D o n 't Open Your Hood To Strangers. BRING IT HOME TO O A K V I L L E N D 191 WYECROFT ROAD OAKVILLE (905) 844-9831 ww w.oakvillehondo.com M HONDA BUILT WITHOUT COMPROMISE D RIVIN G CLEAN FOR TH E AIR W E BREATHE We all can play a part to help combat smog. Since one of the major causes of smog is emis­ sions from our vehicles, we can do our part by ensuring we're driving clean! O N T A R IO 'S D R IV E C L E A N A new emission testing program W ill your vehicle have to pass a drive clean test this year? Y ou've heard of "pass­ ing a safety" to make sure your vehicle is fit for the road. Starting in 1999 there's a new test your vehicle may have to pass every two years to make sure it is also fit for the air we breathe. It's called an emissions test, and it's part of Ontario's Drive Clean program announeed by Environment M inister Norm Sterling to help fight smog. "The Drive Clean program is a major step forward in achieving cleaner air in Ontario," said the minister. "Keeping our vehicles proper­ ly maintained will be good for the envi­ ronment, our health and even the vehi­ cles themselves." Smog is a prob­ lem in many urban areas with a large number of motor­ ized vehicles. It is linked to the rise of respiratory ailments, especially among children. Cars, trucks and buses are the single largest source of smog-causing pollutants in Ontario. An emissions test costing a maximum of $30 will be required every two years to renew your vehicle licence plate or whenever you decide to change ownership, usually when the vehicle is sold. A pass means your vehicle meets the emissions standards for its make and model year. If your vehicle fails the test, you have to have the problem repaired and return for a retest. But whether or not your vehicle is actually cov­ ered under the Drive Clean pro­ gram depends on where you live and the age of your vehicle. When renewing a vehicle regis­ tration, the Drive Clean test only applies to vehicles that are more than three years old and less than 20. For an ownership transfer where a safety certificate is required, however, the test applies to all vehicles less than 20 years old. Starting in April 1999, the Drive Clean test is mandatory in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton-Wentworth Region. Then, in January 2001, Drive Clean expands to 13 other high smog urban zones in southern Ontario. You'll know for sure if any one of the vehicles you own has to be tested if you get a notice in the mail about 90 days before the licence plate renewal date (your birthday!) Since the test cycle alternates from year to year between odd and even model-year vehicles, it will take four years for Drive Clean to become fully operational in all program areas. By the end of 2003, some 4.5 million cars, sport utility vehicles, pick­ up trucks and vans will have gone through a Drive Clean facility at least once. As this is going on, the environ­ ment ministry's Smog Patrol will step up its on-road enforcement of pulling over visible polluting vehi­ cles, especially heavy duty trucks. The Drive Clean program is administered by the Ministry of the Environment and will be closely monitored to ensure that it is both fair and effective. With full imple­ mentation, it will help cut smog- causing pollutants from vehicles by up to 22 per cent in the program area. In the end, we'll all benefit from Ontario's Drive Clean pro­ gram, because we'll be doing something positive for the air we breathe. DRIVE CLEAN * an official mark o f the Province of Ontario used under licence. Be sure to check out next week's auto section to find out more about this new mandatory program. C O M e^ T o t h e s o u r c e Accredited Test & Repair Facility Model years to be tested in 1999 1 9 9 6 1 9 9 4 1 9 9 2 19 9 0 |198 8 | 1 9 8 6 1 9 8 4 1 9 8 2 1 9 8 0 CZJ Model years to be tested in 2000 1 9 9 7 1 9 9 5 1 9 9 3 1991 | 19 8 9 | 1 9 8 7 1 9 8 5 1 9 8 3 1981 | There ore 5 steps you con take before you take the test. When you get your notice, moke on appointment. Your Drive Clean notice will arrive about 90 days before your vehicle registration renewal date. The chart will help you determine when your turn will come. So don't wait - book early. Remember that you must pass the Drive Clean test before you can renew your licence plates. Check the bosks before you go for the test. The Drive Clean test will check that your vehicle's emission system meets the standards for which it was designed. It's simple, fast, accurate and reliable. But before the test can even be done, there are a few things to check: • The gas tank cap. If it's broken, faulty or missing, the emission controls will not work property and the car cannot be tested. • The exhaust system and catalytic converter. The exhaust system is an important part of the emission control system, and your vehicle cannot be tested it there are holes in the exhaust or catalytic converter, if parts are missing or there is other damage to the system. • Major fluid leaks. A Drive Clean facility cannot test your car if it's leaking significant amounts of oil, water, or anti-freeze. Have a qualified mechanic fix the problem before you take the test. • Damaged or worn tires. The test uses a dynamometer - a kind of treadmill that allows your car to be "driven" on the spot while a probe in the tailpipe analyzes the exhaust gases. It your tires are excessively worn, have loose tread, or visible damage, the vehicle cannot be tested. • Visible sm oking. The Drive Clean test equipment will not operate if your car is smoking. Chances are whatever is causing the smoke is also doing other damage, so have it checked and repaired before you take the Drive Clean test. Study your car's habits. If it's hard to start, stalls or stumbles even when it's warmed-up, or runs on after it's shut off - these are problems that could cause you to fail the Drive Clean test. Chances are a simple tune-up will set things right so get it done before your Drive Clean test ^ T u n e it up! ® |f When's the last time you had a tune-up? Most manufacturers recommend a tune-up at regular intervals to make sure the vehicle meets the emission standards it was designed to meet. A car that's tuned-up will likely pass a Drive Clean test. Do it eorty! ' U y You'll have about 9 0 days from the time o f your notice until you must renew your licence plates - and you can't renew until you pass the test. The best strategy is to choose an accredited Drive Clean facility and book your appointment early. i&AK-LAND / LINCOLN MERCURY 570 TRAFALGAR ROAD, OAKVILLE at the Q.E.W 844-3990 0 OPEN Y O U R r ^ D O O R The Oakville Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee is pleased to announce the 1999 edition of the Oakville Visitor's Guide Publishing April '99, this guide will help to promote Oakville and bring tourist dollars to your business! P u t your advertising message directly into the hands of local residents as well as the extended tourist market and boost the business coming through your door! OAKVILLE CHAMBER of COMMERCE 8 4 5-38 24 (fax) 337-5568 TR AF AIG AR http://www.oakvillehondo.com