NYS Vehicle Inspection Emissions Test Results

[ShiningArcanine]

My 1995 Toyota Avalon had a NYS Vehicle Inspection earlier today. Here are the results for the emissions test:

HC: 0.08 GPM (0.80 GPM Limit)
CO: 0.03 GPM (15.0 GPM Limit)
NOx: 0.19 GPM (2.00 GPM Limit)

Although the slip that states what the measured emissions were and the test limits are does not list units, I am assuming that they are GPM after doing some research via Google.

Anyway, my Avalon scored far below the limits. Is that normal? If it is, why are the limits so high if cars score so low? What sort of scores do other cars get on their emissions tests?

 

[nthach]

I've never seen that type of measurement for emissions - Cali uses PPM, with percentages for CO.

The limits are high to fail clunkers or cars that have not been maintained properly. However in states like Cali, the smog check limits are dropping lower and lower to fail older cars that would otherwise pass - via redirecting older cars to test-only stations and using the high emitter profile.

 

[ShiningArcanine]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=CC2&q=GPM+emissions+test&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

That is strange... I just posted this thread and it is already the second result in Google. Anyway, it seems that the correct unit is GPM, which is grams per mile. Seeing GPM instead of PPM surprised me too, but the only document at the New York State DMV's website that listed units for the emissions tests had GPM:

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/forms/vs28.pdf

Anyway, if they want to fail clunkers, shouldn't the limits be low?

 

[JustinH]

You must be in New York City, correct?

In the rest of the state your car wouldn't be subject to any kind of an emissions test, just a visual inspection.

 

[ShiningArcanine]

I am located in the area described by the following wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_metropolitan_area

Also, I believe that cars in other parts of the state are subject to emissions tests:

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/vehsafe.htm

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
Anyway, my Avalon scored far below the limits. Is that normal? If it is, why are the limits so high if cars score so low?


The standards aren't necessarily tied to your emissions. It may be tied to the metro area's tolerance for them.

Before OBDII all of my cars scored well below the limits. Limits originally were based on chassis class ..5000lbs ..etc. So a 350 SBC was the same as a 2.5 4 banger. Then it went to chassis and displacement specific where my wife's 99 4.0 had different standards than my 02 2.5. At the time of OBDII adoption, my 92 3.0 Caravan still had to do the sniffer test. Passed with flying colors ..but the ceiling began to lower due to the number of registrations in the metro area. Those registrations represented so many more pounds of pollutants than were recorded (from reading like your own) the previous year. The goal was to reduce and or manage the level of pollutants introduced, hence the standards for the existing auto's had to be tightened.

That is, don't depend on those PASS figures staying constant.

 

[Nick R]

Emissions tests here in Saratoga County NY is checking of the CEL is illuminated. If it isn't, pass. If it is, fail.

 

[Axe Man]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Emissions tests here in Saratoga County NY is checking of the CEL is illuminated. If it isn't, pass. If it is, fail.


I am located in Ulster County which is just north of the NY metro area and the "emission test" is the same as yours.

 

[Benzadmiral]

I was amazed when I moved to Colorado and found they had only emissions testing, no safety inspection for cars and trucks. They seemed more concerned about what was coming out of your tailpipe than about your headlights, brakes, and turn signals.

 

[steve20]

my 95 Corvette with the LT1 engine scored ZERO in CO-4 years in a row (inspection every 2 years). It has 57K and the original plugs/wires/cap.

Steve

 

[bigmike]

We don't have emissions or safety inspections here.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Emissions tests here in Saratoga County NY is checking of the CEL is illuminated. If it isn't, pass. If it is, fail.


The OP's car doesn't have OBD II, hence the sniffer test. Here in CT they passed my 97 OBD II Legacy with a readiness test.

My old '88 Ramcharger was snifferededed

 

[calvin1]

I can't answer your question but I can confirm your experience. The V8 in my '95 Bronco and the I4 in my '85 Camry ALWAYS scored close to 0. The Camry was even running on only 3 cylinders the last time it was tested.

 

[ShiningArcanine]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Emissions tests here in Saratoga County NY is checking of the CEL is illuminated. If it isn't, pass. If it is, fail.


The OP's car doesn't have OBD II, hence the sniffer test. Here in CT they passed my 97 OBD II Legacy with a readiness test.

My old '88 Ramcharger was snifferededed


Actually, my car does have OBD II. However, New York State law requires that only cars made after 1995 be tested via OBD II. Since my car was made in 1995, it gets the tailpipe emissions test, despite being able to be tested with OBD II.

It is strange, but I understand that Toyota brought OBD II to market in 1995 so they wouldn't have to redesign the Avalon the following year.

 

[ted s]

upstate pre obdII cars only get a visual emissions inspection and CEL cant be on. car overs 25 yrs old only get a saferty inspection.