There is some talk about Pa, and neighboring states dropping emissions testing

fastfredracing · 10-21-2021, 11:58 AM

I don't know all the details just yet, but from what I gather, something like 98% of cars pass, and they found the whole program largely ineffective
My father shuttled a car down to another shop for me this morning, and the station owner was filling my dad in
Here it is all just obd2. No check engine light, and gas cap is good= pass.
Check engine light on= fail
I was seriously thinking about taking in emissions testing, even though I am in a non emissions county, we are close to the line, and a good deal of our clients need it . My assurance officer that works for the state, always talks me out of it, and has been telling me for years, that they will eventually drop the whole program .

Tishabet · 10-21-2021, 12:02 PM

Emissions testing was phased out a couple of years ago here in WA, no complaints from me!

stevej37 · 10-21-2021, 12:07 PM

We've never had emissions testing in Michigan.

If it will roll down the street...it's plateable.

hcoles · 10-21-2021, 12:07 PM

They might still keep the visual inspection part. IDK.
No good reason to do the rollers test on later OBD cars.
If the computer is happy then the State is happy.

drcoastline · 10-21-2021, 12:12 PM

I have been going to an independant here in NJ for years, much easier then the state inspection and friendlier. All he cares about is no check engine light. Then he tests the gas cap. If that is good he does the state inspection. In and out five minutes $40.

fastfredracing · 10-21-2021, 12:18 PM

Yep, as far as I am concerned, no check engine light, visual inspection and gas cap tests good, that car is running clean .

VINMAN · 10-21-2021, 12:21 PM

Here in NJ, any vehicle older than 1993, does not require any type of inspection. Newer than '93 requires an emissions inspection. Which makes absolutely no sense. ( not that I'm complaining...)

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john70t · 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Check engine light on= fail

Sorry to be "one of those grammar people", but 1995(Canada)1996(USA) OBD2 is probably called MIL: Malfunction Indicator Lamp.
(aka motherinlaw)
(That was what I was taught)

The basic idea of cleaner vehicles is essential for basic standards of public health. Even more so in condensed and congested areas. Traffic flow engineering and availability of public transportation plays an immense part in local emissions plus quality of life. I have often found them to be very counter-productive. I still notice that one stinky diesel delivery truck a block ahead despite my diminished smell. But the implementation of reasonable and consistent policy has often been counter-productive.

masraum · 12:31 PM

I get the point. Years ago, it probably made a difference, pre-OBDII, you could have cars that barely ran and rolled coal (despite NOT being a diesel). It also wasn't uncommon to see cars that look like they'd been run until they had run off their last legs and then had those legs wired back on.

I can imagine, especially up north with the snow/salt, cars might not last long enough to get that bad.

The county where I live now, there's no emissions inspection which surprised me when I found out. I guess that's a benefit of living in the country.

For the past 25 years, the inspections (safety and emissions) have been sniffer (until OBDII). Since then, it's CEL, gas cap, wipers, lights, tires, horn, and E-brake.

fastfredracing · 10-21-2021, 12:29 PM

haha, you would be correct . Mechanics don't need no grammar lessons

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

How is the state going to make money off it if there is no emissions testing?

fastfredracing · 10-21-2021, 12:54 PM

I am confident they will find a way to continue to fleece us in some way or another to make up for the loss of revenue

jyl · jyl's Garage

In Portland OR, emissions testing is simply sniffer in the tailpipe, takes 5 minutes every 2 years.

If there was no testing, I think some people would start abusing it - pulling catalytic convertors etc.

masraum · 10-21-2021, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

In Portland OR, emissions testing is simply sniffer in the tailpipe, takes 5 minutes every 2 years.

If there was no testing, I think some people would start abusing it - pulling catalytic convertors etc.

In Texas, if you're car is pre-OBDII, then you get the sniffer (they may not test cars older than 25 years or maybe it's a certain date). If you have a car with OBDII (everyone except Glenn) then if you have no CEL (really, they connect a OBDII scanner to see if your ECU reports "READY") then they don't bother with the sniffer. I think the theory is that if your ECU says "READY" then everything is working as expected and you should be running clean.

You can't just turn off the CEL if you've got one and then go test, because you have to go through a fairly long driving cycle before your ECU goes to "READY" after you turn the light off. I assume the theory is that if you have a problem, then the light will come back on before you complete the required cycle of driving.

fastfredracing · 10-21-2021, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

In Texas, if you're car is pre-OBDII, then you get the sniffer (they may not test cars older than 25 years or maybe it's a certain date). If you have a car with OBDII (everyone except Glenn) then if you have no CEL (really, they connect a OBDII scanner to see if your ECU reports "READY") then they don't bother with the sniffer. I think the theory is that if your ECU says "READY" then everything is working as expected and you should be running clean.

You can't just turn off the CEL if you've got one and then go test, because you have to go through a fairly long driving cycle before your ECU goes to "READY" after you turn the light off. I assume the theory is that if you have a problem, then the light will come back on before you complete the required cycle of driving.

That pretty much mimics our program .

David · David's Garage

In Texas the state doesn't make money off testing, just the service station doing the testing.

Back in the day, headlight adjustment was part of the inspection. Too many stations failed almost everyone so they could charge $10-15 more to adjust the headlights. That's gone now.

On a side note: Texas gas stations in nonattainment counties (big cities) had to have gas vapor capture devices on all gas pumps. These were the accordion hoses around the fuel nozzle. They went away a few years ago when the cars started doing that themselves. It's much easier to gas up in Houston now.

hbueno · hbueno's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra

How is the state going to make money off it if there is no emissions testing?

It's free in NJ if you use the state drive-through facility. Since NJ switched to emissions-only testing, it's a quick no muss no fuss process.

john70t · 01:43 PM

(at least 20 years ago):

Drive Cycle completion results were specific to each manufacturer.
(drive at WOT x many times, cruise at x mph at x rpm for x minutes, ec)

And all cycles must be completed to pass OBD2 smog.
Only insiders knew what actually tripped them.

Separate and additional paid software was required for the scanner to scan manufacturer codes..
But only if that scanner was "certified".

masraum · 10-21-2021, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

In Texas the state doesn't make money off testing, just the service station doing the testing.

Really?

I remember a while back (10y?) when the inspections were $38.95 paid to the gas station. I don't remember the exact cost now, but I think it's $12-18, but then when you pay for your yearly registration, haven't they added $20-30 to our yearly registration?

masraum · 10-21-2021, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbueno

It's free in NJ if you use the state drive-through facility. Since NJ switched to emissions-only testing, it's a quick no muss no fuss process.

When I last lived in FL, they had state inspection stations if I remember correctly. In TX, there aren't any that I'm aware of. It's mostly service stations and oil change places.