fb
AA Vehicle Rates Calculator

Rates Calculator

Roadside Assistance

Roadside Assistance

Emergency Services

Emergency Services

AA Auto Centre

AA Auto Centre

AA Financial Services

AA Financial Services

AA Travel

AA Travel

Call me backCALL ME BACK

I need help choosing a product

  • MOBILE NUMBER *
  • PLEASE SELECT A PRODUCT

Diesel or petrol engine exhaust gases should be colorless. Any smoke colour emanating from an exhaust signals that it is not running properly, or even close to mechanical failure.

What do exhaust smoke emissions really mean?

Black smoke is a sign of engine over-fueling. This can be a malfunctioning injector, a restricted air supply or clogged intercooler.
For a sound technical reason, excess unburned fuel is blowing from the exhaust.Blue smoke is mechanical distress, forming when an engine’s own lubricating oil is being burned, indicating worn piston rings, valve guides, or seals.
The oil can also come from an air filter overfilled with oil or an excess of oil in the crankcase.
White smoke is a sign of water vapor or fuel that has been atomized but not burned.
The water vapor may be present in the fuel, or water may be leaking into the cylinder from the cooling system. Air in the fuel can also cause white smoke.
For engines designed to achieve Euro 2, 3, 4 and 5 emissions standards and above the Worldwide Fuel Charter specifies a maximum dissolved water content of 500ppm and a particulate cleanliness level of 18/16/13, as defined by ISO 4406:1999.
What happens in very icy weather? White smoke can be confused with normal steam from a warm engine exhaust cooling into water-vapour.
The difference? Steam is thin and wispy, quickly re-evaporating. White smoke is slightly denser and oilier, taking longer to disperse.

When it comes to quality of air, South Africa currently works to Euro 2 exhaust emission standards.
Carbon footprint and greenhouse gas is a different subject, based on every litre of diesel fuel producing 2,64kg of carbon dioxide when combusted in a diesel engine

Tools & Calculators
What is your Emergency?
The Automobile Association of South Africa

For over 90 years, we’ve provided you with roadside rescue and security, so you know you can rely on the Automobile Association day and night.

We aim to empower you as a road user and add value to your life with our products and services.

Decrease in fatalities welcome – but more needs to be done

The small decrease in the number of fatalities on South African roads between the December 2022 and January 2023 festive period and the 2023/2024 period is commendable and signals a slight improvement in road safety efforts by authorities. However, the Automobile Association (AA) remains concerned that the deaths of 1427 road users during the festive period is still too high, and that more needs to be done to effectively deal with road safety in South Africa. Transport Minister Sindisiwe...

2024 to start on positive fuel note for consumers

Despite the volatile Rand and concerns around shipping routes in the Red Sea, local fuel prices are still expected to decrease when they are adjusted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy next Wednesday. Commenting on unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), the Automobile Association (AA) says the numbers are still pointing to reductions to fuel prices across the board.   According to the CEF’s figures, ULP95 petrol is expected to be lower by around 54cents a litre while...

Good fuel news for motorists to start 2024

South African motorists can expect significant fuel price reductions to kick-off 2024 says the Automobile Association (AA). Commenting on unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), the AA says both grades of petrol, diesel, and illuminating paraffin prices are showing substantial decreases that will ease the financial pressure on consumers in January. “According to the data, ULP93 will decrease by around 68 cents/litre, and ULP95 will decrease by 82c/l. Diesel is set to decrease...