Down the Bog

Not long after moving over here we bought a Dodge Caravan. For readers in the UK that’s not an actual caravan that you pull along but a minivan, a people carrier, a seven seater. It’s been okay as a vehicle. Maybe a bit too thirsty on petrol but we bought it when it was already six years old and it’s proven to be reliable and a good starter through those long and oh-so-cold winters. Last year we used it to drive over to Alberta and back again and there were no real problems.

Anyway here in Ontario we have to pay $75 in a vehicle tax every year and for that you get a small sticker to put on the registration number plate to show that you’re good for another year. But it doesn’t stop there because every other year the car has to have an emission test done on it. Yesterday was the first time we had to get this completed and I’m very pleased to report that it passed with flying colours. Actually I don’t know if it was a close run thing or not. All I know is that it passed and I can continue to drive the car in the knowledge that it’s not fouling up the air anymore than it’s allowed to and that I’m on the right side of the law.

A couple of weeks ago I went into Walmart and bought some gunk to pour into the fuel tank and it’s claim was to give the fuel system a good, proper clean out for the emission test. Then before going for the test I filled up with the ten cents more per litre super performance, extra clean burning petrol (gas as it’s known over here) rather than the cheaper normal regular stuff and as I say everything turned out fine.

In the UK cars have to go through a very vigorous M.O.T test every year and I used to always approach that time with trepidation. It’s far more than just an emission test with everything mechanical being checked along with lights,rust, seat belts and even number plates. It was so unusual to take a car in and have it pass the test the first time.

These days I don’t have that to worry about but do I feel good about it? Well, who is keeping an eye out on the condition of cars here in Ontario or indeed Canada? When a car is bought in Ontario it has to have an emission test and a safety check but after that unless the police get involved the car relies on it’s owner for handling the situation responsibly. And those on a tight budget or just don’t care? Or even just procrastinate. Well, maybe the cars brakes can be checked next year and if not then the year after that….screeeeeeeeeeeech….crash…bang…wallop!

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