State Demands ‘Smog Computers’ for ’88 Cars
Alarmed by test results that show the average new car failing California emission standards after just 15,000 miles of driving, the state Air Resource Board on Thursday ordered all domestic and foreign manufacturers to equip their models beginning in 1988 with computer diagnostic systems and to provide better warranties for pollution control devices.
The action, adopted unanimously during a meeting in downtown Los Angeles, had been strongly opposed by the Big Three American automobile manufacturers. They argued that the board had gone beyond its authority to set emission standards and was instead telling them what equipment to place on cars. However, none indicated they would challenge the board in court, and two manufacturers--General Motors and Chrysler Corp.--said they already have similar devices on current models.
The emission systems on most new cars now are controlled by computer. The diagnostic system would detect failures and give mechanics an indication of what parts needed servicing. It also would alert the driver that something was wrong, just as warning lights or instruments do now when oil pressure is low or the car is overheating.
In addition, the board also tightened the warranty for the oxygen sensor--a key component of the computerized emission control system. Under the new rule, sensors in 1988 models would be warranted for at least 50,000 miles.
Currently the cut-off is 30,000 miles, although some manufacturers already offer a 50,000-mile warranty. Manufacturers unable to equip their vehicles with 50,000-mile oxygen sensors would be required to provide free replacements at the first maintenance interval and equip the cars with lights to remind the driver when servicing is needed.
The board estimated that the cost of the diagnostic system to the manufacturer would be between $25 and $30 a car. However, James P. Steiger, principal engineer for emission regulations and certification for Volkswagen of America Inc., estimated the cost at between $100 and $125.
Historically, the Air Resources Board’s pollution control strategy has been to require auto makers to demonstrate compliance with emission standards over a 50,000-mile “useful life” of prototype test vehicles.
But, based on road tests of approximately 600 cars annually over the last four years, the board concluded that the average new car begins to exceed at least one emission standard after less than 15,000 miles of driving.
In addition, it appeared that 10% of the cars exceeded emission standards because of a failure of one or more pollution control devices. The other failures were attributed to poor emission control system maintenance and improper diagnosis by mechanics.
“As a result,” the Air Resources Board staff said in a report, “Californians are deprived of the full benefit of the state’s emissions standards.”
The staff said that by adopting the new rules, the state over a 10-year period would experience a reduction of 19 tons a day of hydrocarbon pollutants, 43 tons a day of oxides of nitrogen and 346 tons a day of carbon monoxide.
In adopting the new rules, the board also opened the door to more competition in the emission control system repair business.
To analyze the performance of most computerized emission control systems, mechanics have to use an additional piece of equipment that is plugged into the automobile system to “read” what the car’s computer is telling it. Often, that equipment is expensive and many independent garages do not have it.
The diagnostic system the board voted to require would be “on-board,” meaning that a mechanic would be able to tell what was wrong with a car simply by observing blinking lights on the car’s dash board.
