'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.