Car Emissions (house, inspector, codes)

[ducatidd]

so i heard that NC requires car emission testing. any tips or advises on this topic. i don;t think my car will pass but will see.

[Trevor92]

Just a few simple suggestions before you go for the inspections. If you personally know a mechanic that can do inspections, go to that person. If not, but you frequently visit a garage, go to that garage because some business owners treat repeat customers well. Check all your lights, your wiper blades, your tires, etc. before you go. If you suspect it will not pass for any other reason such as bad brakes, go ahead and have it checked and repaired. The logic is that when you go for your inspection, your car will appear to be maintained very well. It's also far cheaper to change burned out lights on your own and replace wiper blades rather than having a garage do it.

That said, emissions testing is part of the inspection. There's not a set standard that I'm aware of, it's based on the year and model of your car. I've talked to a few mechanics and several have told me that this is one part of the inspection they'll tend to just go through the motions while your sitting in the waiting room or back at the house and they're inspecting your car, especially if the car is in good shape. But I've also heard of people who failed the inspection for this reason. Ultimately, all you can really do is have it tested, and be prepared to pay for the fix if it doesn't pass. If it does not pass, fixing it is also the socially responsible thing to do. Emissions testing is a law for a good reason.

[saturnfan]

The test now is to look for trouble codes in the ODBC II control system. If you are not seeing the "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" trouble light, you should be fine.

No more tailpipe sniffer testing in NC.

[bluevelo]

In California, all we do is the emission test but its on a dynameter... you have to pass the emission tests for the standards in place the year your car was made. If its older than 1975, there's no test required.

That said, we have no safety inspections in California... ironically, you see TONS of cars on the road with lights out, god knows bad brakes, severe body damage... but polluting the air is a worse problem, I guess

[MikeNC29]

Originally Posted by saturnfan

The test now is to look for trouble codes in the ODBC II control system. If you are not seeing the "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" trouble light, you should be fine.

No more tailpipe sniffer testing in NC.

True, so if your car is a 1995 or older you have no worries.

Mike

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by MikeNC29

True, so if your car is a 1995 or older you have no worries.

Mike

Funny thing is my '95 has an OBDII computer in it, but at the inspection station I take it to, the inspector is this old crotchy guy who doesn't give a #### .

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by ducatidd

so i heard that NC requires car emission testing.

Kind of. Roughly, only half of NC's 100 counties require testing.

[saturnfan]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Funny thing is my '95 has an OBDII computer in it, but at the inspection station I take it to, the inspector is this old crotchy guy who doesn't give a #### .

All cars didn't have it by then so the test starts with 96.

[Asheville Native]

If your "Check Engine" light goes out after starting, your catalytic convert and exhaust system are intact you should be in good shape. It is more about revenue than clean air, this is NC after all.

[caddyman9898]

Hi any tips for a chevy truck man who has emissions nothing on a 454 with straight duals on it. Just move here from fla and we don't have all this junk anymore. What I don't get is that they won't test my pipes but I have to pass a safty that happens to be a part of pollution pump and catalytic converter thats what get's me. I need helpfull tips? Thank you.