Exhaust emissions from high-mileage catalyst-equipped passenger cars. Technical report

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5359478

Jones, G T

This report consolidates results from a number of emission testing programs on in-use passenger cars. Vehicles from the 1975 through 1981 model years were involved. The purpose of this effort was to examine the effect of 'high mileage' on levels of exhaust emissions. The emission levels from the vehicles involved were examined from four basic views: (1) 'As received' results of the top 15% (by odometer) versus similar results from the bottom 15% and 85%; (2) 'as received' results of vehicles with over 50,000 miles versus those with under 50,000; (3) the effects of restorative maintenance on high mileage vehicles; and (4) the effects of catalyst replacement on high mileage vehicles. The results show that the high mileage vehicles exhibit higher average HC and CO emissions than the lower mileage vehicles. The higher emission levels appear to be due to an increased rate of maladjustments, disablements and defective parts. It was also found that on the average, catalytic converters remain active beyond a vehicle's statutory 'useful life' of 50,000 miles and that restorative maintenance is an effective method to reduce average emission levels. Even further reductions were possible, especially in HC, through replacement of the catalytic unit.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Ann Arbor, MI (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5359478
• Report Number(s): PB-82-103326
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
AUTOMOBILES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
MAINTENANCE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
VEHICLES
WASTES