Which states still have tailpipe sniffer test?

[mpvue]

no OBD-II sniffing in PA.

agreed on the cat converter requirement. guys in states like FL (with no inspection of any kind) think they can remove it and do whatever they want, but the converter (and Ox sensors, all of it) are FEDERALLY mandated.
I really don't want MiB taking my car away. besides, modern converters are not restrictive, no reason to remove it.

 

[mechtech2]

Test stations ruined a lot of cars with those dyno rollers, and all sorts of other mishaps.
It was common for them to put the WRONG end of the car on the rollers, while the driving wheels were on solid ground!
Grinding gears when shifting, over revving, etc.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: ammolab
N Mexico has NO emissions test...no State vehicle inspection of any kind.




I bet 5 month`s after I would move there, they`d have it. That`s the story of my life.

A few years ago, New Mexico was going to mandate Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock devices for EVERY vehicle in the state, regardless of the driver's past record.

I guess they figured too many cars would be registered at dummy addresses in Amarillo and Trinidad instead of New Mexico.

But it was really close to happening.

 

[mark pruett]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Texas does in the high density population counties: Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Tarrant, Travis...etc... and the counties surrounding those.

But if you have an OBDII car they just plug in. '95 and prior get tailpipe tested on a dyno.


Ugh... that reminds me of the days when I had a 95 Ranger, and it was a very early OBDII vehicle, so I always had to explain that to the pointy-headed goons at the inspection place, because they'd try to tell me that they couldn't do the smog test on my truck because "it didn't hook up right."

Once I convinced them to try the OBDII stuff for the newer cars, it would pass with flying colors.

 

[01rangerxl]

Sniffer tests were phased out statewide in NC in 2005/2006. Where applicable, 1996+ vehicles get hooked up to a computer via the OBD2 port.

Emissions testing varies by county, but a safety inspection is mandatory statewide for vehicles less than 35 years old. Usually it is the more populated or more affluent counties that have emissions testing. E-test and safety is $30, and safety only is about $10. My county and the county I lived in previously both require an e-test; in fact I took the truck in for its inspection yesterday (it passed).

I think the sniffer test was probably easy to beat anyway. For years my parents' old Ranger would fail emissions, and then my dad would pour Guaranteed to Pass or some other chemical in it and it would pass. I'm pretty sure nothing was ever actually replaced to pass the test, just chemical cocktails poured in the gas tank. One year it failed safety for the horn not working, but as my mom was leaving the dealer she tried it herself and it started working again, so she took it back and they passed it. I think this truck failed most of its annual inspections, but basically no repairs were made as a result.

Also, in NC if you spend more than $250 (I think) trying to repair an emissions problem to pass the test, you can ask for a waiver and the vehicle will no longer be required to pass emissions, but still has to pass safety.

 

[yesthatsteve]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I believe CA measures idle and 2500rpm actual tailpipe emissions. I do not know any other state which measures tailpipe emissions on post 1996 i.e. OBD-II cars.

I know (by observation or from inference) that the following state do NOT have tailpipe sniffer for OBD-II vehicles. Please add yours to the list.

MA
NY
NH
MO


MO does not have a tail pipe sniffer, but does have OBDII testing for vehicles registered in the city limits of St. Louis, plus in the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, and Franklin, with some exceptions (RVs and motorcycles, for example).

 

[artificialist]

Florida has no testing.
There was testing up until about 1998.

Our roads are full of cars that either need to have major repair or need to be crushed.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Florida has no testing.
There was testing up until about 1998.

Our roads are full of cars that either need to have major repair or need to be crushed.


Alabama doesn't have any form of inspection either, and to my knowledge they never have. I have seen and driven very wrecked vehicles on public roads there, completely legally. I remember seeing one '98-'00 Ranger cruising down the interstate with a completely smashed front and airbags hanging out. My cousin had an '02 or '03 F-250 crew cab PSD that was badly wrecked. I drove it a couple times and it was a fun one. The steering wheel was at a crazy angle when going straight, it had a massive oil leak from the engine, frame damage, could not really be driven at night because the headlights were barely hanging on, bald tires, cracked windshield, you name it. It was super reliable though and the oil puddle always reminded you to top it off. Seems like every other work truck in AL has a cracked windshield.

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
CT: no sniffer for OBD-2

But they DO use the sniffer for 1995 and older vehicles.


Up to 25 years old, at which point they're exempt. They're also really bad about caring enough to look under the vehicle to check for a cat (never seen them check mine or any other).

 

[antiqueshell]

Here in SC there are NO emissions or inspections.

I think back in the early to mid 90s there was a basic inspection but there are so many poor people here that no one could afford the repairs that the inspection would have found so they did away with them.

Although you will see some less than road worthy vehicles on the roads, it isn't a huge issue. Now the annual car tax is an issue it actually discourages people from buying new cars. One of the stupidest taxes I have ever seen anywhere in the country.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
I think back in the early to mid 90s there was a basic inspection but there are so many poor people here that no one could afford the repairs that the inspection would have found so they did away with them.


Bet they can afford color TVs and mobile telephones but a tail light bulb is just too much.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
I think back in the early to mid 90s there was a basic inspection but there are so many poor people here that no one could afford the repairs that the inspection would have found so they did away with them.


Bet they can afford color TVs and mobile telephones but a tail light bulb is just too much.

and exactly where would I buy a TV that WASN'T color?