🚀 go-pugleaf

Since this discussion hasn't included any hard numbers on emission
requirements, I decided to see if I could discover what the max.
allowable for 1992 would be. The results: 

1) Emission requirement (ppm, %) is not a fixed value. In fact it
   varies with car model and engine displacements. Hence a larger
   displacement car would have a larger maximum allowable limit.

2) Federal pollution requirements exist, but is not in a form usable
   by the Air Care test (pollutants per mile).

An example: A Honda Accord, 1992 model year, less than 2.5lt engine
            displacement.

Maximum allowable values (well maintained cars are MUCH lower):

Hydrocarbons (HC)        :  Idle  220 ppm
                         :  Load  500 ppm

Carbon monoxide (CO)     :  Idle  1.2%
                         :  Load  1.2%

Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) :  Load  1500 ppm

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The maximum allowable values for the 1992 Honda seems to be very large.

My 1981 model year car (2.4lt engine) achieved test values of :

HC :  Idle  18ppm  
   :  Load  47ppm    

CO :  Idle  0%     
   :  Load  0%         

NOx:  Load  1108 ppm 

easily passing the 1992 requirement set for a 2.5lt (or less) Honda
Accord.

If you want to discover what the emission requirements for your car is,
call the Air Care main office at 775 0103. Don't bother with the 
Air Care HotLine.