Is my car safe for mandatory testing

Hi Paul, I am preparing to take my Toyota Premio for mandatory inspection. I have heard they test brakes, suspension and car emission. Whilst I am sure about the condition of my car’s brakes and suspension I am not sure about the status of its emission. Kindly advise what affects my car emission so that I can make sure it’s in order. Kawalya. A

Hello Mr Kawalya, exhaust emissions are the by products of burning hydrocarbon fuels with air inside car engines to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen (N2).
The fuels we burn in our engines are made up of hundreds of differently structured hydrocarbons, which burn in different ways and rates. As a result some of this, hydrocarbons are partially burnt while others react with each other or the nitrogen to form harmful exhaust emission: carbon monoxide or Nitrogen oxide and Sulphur dioxide.
Resultant hydrocarbons and particulate soot all combine to form car emissions which are harmful to human beings and the ozone layer. The amount of carbon dioxide in your car exhaust emission has a direct relationship with its fuel consumption.
That is why new car manufacturers introduce more efficient engine technology (Variable Valve Timing, Direct fuel injection, multiple valves ) designed to reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
This is an effort to meet the international European emission standards.
Euro 1 standard enforced in 1992 required fitting of catalytic converters to chemically breakdown harmful gases in petrol car exhaust systems. The tougher Euro 5 emission standard introduced in 2009 required use of diesel particulate filters to render particulate less harmful in exhaust systems of diesel powered cars.
The latest emission standard Euro 6 was introduced in 2014 and has stricter emission requirements for car manufacturers.
It would be interesting to know which emission standard SGS is using to test vehicles in Uganda and whether the available car technology meets this standard.
In your case, simply inspect factors that affect your engines fuel economy such as engine tuning, spark plugs, air filter, ignition coils and tension leads.
To a significant extent condition and quality of engine oil and the fuel you use affects your vehicle exhaust emission.
Service the engine with reputable engine oils and fuel with cleaner detergent fuels which improve engine efficiency and keep your catalytic converter intact. You should pass the emission test.

Hello Paul, I drive a Toyota Prado TX 2003, my steering system has become very hard and noisy. I frequently have to top up the steering fluid. My mechanic says I need to replace the steering pump and steering rack which will cost millions of shillings. Can you give me a second opinion or are they repairable? Namusoke F.

Hello Ms Namusoke, the steering system in your car uses a rotational steering wheel to move the road wheels. This system allows you to steer the heavy load of your car using little effort.
The steering system relies on a rack and pinion gear set (steering gearing or rack assembly) assisted by a hydraulic system (engine driven steering pump) which provides hydraulic force to enable the pinion steer the wheels and the heavy car load.
The critical maintenance points are the hydraulic system and the steering gearing or rack assembly. The steering pump and steering rack rely on the correct steering hydraulic fluid to provide hydraulic pressure as well as maintain the system.
Good steering hydraulic fluid lubricates the system, prevents frictional and corrosion damage, suppresses wear of the seals, cools the often hot steering system and carries away after burn deposits for filtration in the steering fluid reservoir. This steering hydraulic fluid will age over time or due to constant use and lose its protective and maintenance role.
Steering fluid should be maintained or renewed when its colour changes to dark or according to manufacturer specifications.
Failure to service this fluid on time is the primary cause of damage to the steering pump and rack assembly.
The steering pump and rack assembly can be remanufactured by skilled technicians using specialised equipment and new replacement bearing, gearing and seal kits. In Uganda the availability of the genuine repair kits is still a challenge.
You therefore need to replace the steering pump and rack to resolve the problem. You have a choice of quality new or used parts from the breakers. The used parts have to be bought from legitimate reputable used parts outlets with some form of working guarantee.