Anyone else think the new MOT rules are stupid?
I mean I can't legally drive a car which has had its DPF removed, but i can legally drive a 40 year old car which probably puts out a lot more pollutants.
Also, I think DPF is pointless, as to recharge it, you have to heat up the exhaust to burn off the soot. This means high revs, low gear, which is uneconomical driving, and is therefore bad for the environment, and your MPG.
Particulates probably are really harmful, but then so is smoking, WIFI, microwaves, processed food, UV rays, pretty much everything.
Nope, not stupid at all.
Many people will think that removing a DPF is the stupid thing to do.
What I would say, is that most people do not understand how a DPF works and how what they may need to do to
help it work effectively. (let alone understand if they should buy a diesel or a petrol car)
However, that's not to say its the publics fault, as frankly the education has been appalling, and why is there no indication to the driver when an active regeneration is taking place. (or better still also state when one is coming up)
Yes I know that many people can tell as the car doesn't quite drive the same, however most people will not often notice, but lets at least give people the option to
help the process, for example seeing the regeneration is taking place, drop down a gear, perhaps complete that longer drive to the shops or a friend you need to do to coincide with the regeneration (that's when the prewarning would be useful)
Regards older cars not meeting modern standards, unfortunately there is not too much that can be done without a crystal ball or time machine. It would be unreasonable to say to people that own older cars that 'sorry I know the car met standards at the time and you may even have been encouraged to buy that vehicle based on government policy and thinking at the time, but time moves on so you can't use it anymore'... Although there are some rules in already, or coming in, eg the congestion charge and environmental zones in London.. so there is some work making it more difficult to use older vehicles.
And ultimately, surely using cars to their life potential has the benefit of less
resources, energy, transportation etc etc is used in manufacturing of the car in the first place. Some of the current electric cars for example will never recoup the extra
resources and pollution required to make them over a petrol or diesel car, however they are doing a good job in turning peoples opinions to new tech so that when the tech gets to the point they are of benefit people will be more willing to use it.
oh and lets not forget, petrol engines also product particulates, just smaller so you can't see them...