Emissions Durability Period and Air Index Information
On Your Engine Emissions Label
Engines that are certified to meet the California Air Resources Board
(CARB) Tier 2 Emission Standards must display information
regarding the Emissions Durability Period and Air Index. The engine
manufacturer makes this information available to the consumer on
emissions labels.
The Emissions Durability Period describes the number of hours of
actual running time for which the engine is certified to be emissions
compliant, assuming proper maintenance in accordance with the
Operating & Maintenance Instructions. The following categories are
used:
Moderate: Engine is certified to be emissions compliant for 125
hours of actual engine running time.
Intermediate: Engine is certified to be emissions compliant for 250
hours of actual engine running time.
Extended: Engine is certified to be emissions compliant for 500
hours of actual engine running time.
For example, a typical walk-behind lawn mower is used 20 to 25
hours per year. Therefore, the Emissions Durability Period of an
engine with an intermediate rating would equate to 10 to 12 years.
The Air Index is a calculated number describing the relative level of
emissions for a specific engine family. The lower the Air Index, the
cleaner the engine. This information is displayed in graphical form
on the emissions label.
Emissions Compliance Period On Engine Emissions
Compliance Label
After July 1, 2000 certain Sears engines will be certified to meet the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Phase 2
emission standards. For phase 2 certified engines, the Emissions
Compliance Period referred to on the Emissions Compliance label
indicates the number of operating hours for which the engine has
been shown to meet Federal emission requirements. For engines
less than 225 cc displacement, Category C = 125 hours, B = 250
hours and A = 500 hours. For engines of 225 cc or more, Category
C = 250 hours, B = 500 hours and A = 1000 hours.
This engine has an intermediate rating with and Air Index of 3. The
EPA Emissions compliance period is Category C. The displacement
of this engine is 305 cc.
Below is a generic representation of the emission label typically
found on a certified engine.
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