'That thick black smoke indicates a sick engine'
'That thick black smoke indicates a sick engine'
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Although motorists are aware that vehicle emissions are a major
cause of air pollution, only a few people really care about
minimizing their contribution to the environmental problem.
Benito, a resident of Tangerang, said he had never put his car
through an emissions test.
"What for? As long as there is no engine trouble I don't
bother about having my car checked."
Benito said that he always had his Daihatsu Classy 1993 car
tuned up every four months, assuming that if the engine was
running well, there should be no problem with it producing
harmful emissions.
"I have heard about the city administration's plan to make all
private cars undergo an emissions test. But I have also heard
that the plan has been scrapped," he said.
Dwija Kusuma, who owns a 2000 Kijang van, has not put his
vehicle through an emissions test either as he believes that new
cars do not need them.
"These tests are only for old cars, aren't they? I don't think
I have to have my vehicle tested," Dwija said.
Automotive expert Jimmy Lukita said that emissions tests were
important to check whether or not a car's engine was in good
condition.
"Many people misunderstand emissions tests as being only to
control air pollution. In fact, they are needed to check the
general condition of a car's engine," Jimmy told The Jakarta
Post.
Jimmy said thick exhaust coming from a car indicated that
something was wrong with some of its components.
"This will eventually result in the decline of the car's
performance," said Jimmy. "So it's strange that people are
reluctant to have their vehicles tested," said Jimmy.
Jimmy, who has a workshop in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta,
added that there had been many workshops which provide emissions
tests along with general tune-ups for cars.
The Jakarta Environmental Management Agency (BPLHD) has
designated 15 workshops in the city to carry out emissions tests
to certify a car's roadworthiness.