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News & Publications - E-news

The AirCare E-news is a monthly newsletter created to keep business partners and the general public up-to-date on AirCare and vehicle emissions related issues. Visit the E-News Archive.

February 2010 - 116th Edition

TOP STORIES

‘Climb the Wall' for Clean Air

The AirCare program is once again proud to be a sponsor of the BC Lung Association's 9th Annual "Climb the Wall: The Stair climb For Clean Air" event to be held on March 21, 2010.  Climb the Wall challenges climbers against the 48 flights of stairs at the Sheraton Wall Centre in downtown Vancouver.  Again this year, a team from Envirotest Canada will join over 500 participants attempting to climb the 739 stairs and reach the summit of the Wall Centre.  For more information on this event, visit http://www.bc.lung.ca/campaigns_and_events/stairclimb_for_cleanair.html

Top Customer Queries

The AirCare program has been in operation since 1992.  Most motorists have become quite knowledgeable about AirCare policy and procedures; however there are those that are experiencing AirCare for the very first time.  Last edition, the top 3 questions and answers searched on AirCare.ca were published.  Here are questions 4-6.

What do I need to bring with me when I have my car tested?
You need to bring your vehicle's registration document or ICBC Notice to Renew when you take your vehicle to an AirCare Inspection Centre.  You will also need to bring cash, MasterCard, Visa or debit card to pay the test fee.

What are Repair Cost Limits?
Repair cost limits are designed to ensure that motor vehicle emissions are lowered while limiting the financial burden upon vehicle owners. The cost limits are the maximum amount that is required to be spent to qualify for a conditional pass.

If necessary emissions repairs are going to cost more than the applicable repair cost limits (see table below), motorists have the choice to either authorize the entire repair or stay within the applicable repair cost limit. Motorists who choose to stay within the cost limit are responsible for all repairs that can be performed under that limit. Please note, only vehicles diagnosed and repaired at AirCare Certified Repair Centres are eligible for repair cost limits and a conditional pass.

• As an aside, less than 5% of the vehicles that fail an emissions inspection are issued a conditional pass. This indicates that the vast majority of vehicles that fail AirCare have their emission defects fixed.

How long is my passed AirCare inspection valid for?

The AirCare expiry date assigned to a pass result depends upon the type of test the vehicle receives. 1991 and older vehicles that pass an ASM test receive a 363-day expiry date. 1992 and newer vehicles that pass an OBD or IM240 test receive a 726-day expiry date. All vehicles that pass an idle test will be assigned a 363-expiry date.

All vehicles receive a 90-day expiry date for a conditional pass. If your vehicle receives a conditional pass, you have 90 days to re-license your vehicle (you may purchase up to a full year). Once the 90-day limit expires, your vehicle requires another AirCare inspection before re-licensing. Vehicles that are sold after the 90-day period require another AirCare inspection as a condition to re-licensing.

Ron Leavitt: Transit Host

AirCare's own Emissions Technical Advisor, Ron Leavitt has been a Transit Host during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, helping locals and tourists navigate Metro Vancouver's transit system.  One part of his job profile he did not count on was being interviewed by NBC.  The link is to TransLink's excellent blog, "The Buzzer".

http://buzzer.translink.ca/index.php/2010/02/nbc-interviews-a-transit-host/

Daylight Savings Time

A reminder, Canada observes Daylight Savings Time (DST) beginning on the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.  So don't forget to "spring" forward one hour on March 14, 2010.

OPERATIONAL STATISTICS
January 2010  
Total Inspections: 42,045 
Pass: 37,127
Fail: 4,755
Conditional Pass: 163