by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 03/97) - Car sick? Take it to an emission clinic.

"Yellowknife motorists can learn how to get their vehicles running cleaner, cheaper and more efficiently during Environment Canada's free, no obligation, vehicle emissions test clinic," said Ed Collins, Environment Canada environmental engineering chief.

The test, measuring hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, takes five to seven minutes and includes a visual inspection of vehicle emission control devices and measurement of tailpipe emissions.

Motorists will receive test results and information on pollution-control measures.

"A well-tuned vehicle has lower emission levels and runs more efficiently," Collins said.

Organizers will be able to gauge vehicle emissions because there are engine size and model year guidelines, Environment Canada senior environmental engineer Brian Heppelle said.

Fixing the problem might be as simple as replacing an air filter, he said.

One goal of the clinic is to discourage tampering with emission devices.

Collins said it's a myth that removing emission controls boosts performance.

The clinic, sponsored by Environment Canada, the Department of National Defence, the City of Yellowknife and Northland Utilities, is slated for Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Yellowknife arena on Franklin Avenue.