Inspections

[peepsalot]

Does anyone know exactly what is checked during inspections in Texas? Do they do a sniffer test? Last time I went, it seemed like they just checked all the lights and signals, and drove it around the block, I didn't notice any probe or anything hooked up, but I didn't pay a whole lot of attention. Are the rules different for a car from the 60's-70's? I'm curious because I'm thinking of fixing up an old beetle, and wondering what i can legally get away with as far as the engine goes.

 

[2k3 PrO RiDa]

I think they do the sniffer tests on older cars only.

 

[MP3Architect]

do you have to do emisions or just inspection? i hate harris county!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! damn emisions

 

[warrier04]

i thought that starting in a few months, they're gonna step up inspections. there's gonna be tougher emissions, and it's gonna cost like 30-something bucks now.

 

[Hughes412]

Yep, as of Sept. 1 Tx will be doing the sniffing. I don't know about the old cars though. Use to they were grandfathered. All you had to do is make sure it had on it what it came with when new. But that might have changed. Best thing to do is call DPS and get there inspections divison.

 

[MP3Architect]

i thought that starting in a few months, they're gonna step up inspections. there's gonna be tougher emissions, and it's gonna cost like 30-something bucks now.

yeah ive been havin to pay the $30 for a while now.

 

[PR54LIFE]

Inspections? What are those?

 

[MP3Architect]

Inspections? What are those?

a waste of money

 

[peepsalot]

So, you guys run with no sticker or what? What is the fine for that if you get caught?

 

[Cellerator]

main question is how hard will it be to pass emissions inspections?

 

[PR54LIFE]

I run expired-ass VA. tags, I just get the sticker on the plate updated. Cops here don't know any better. The fine for not having your tags changed over within 30 days is $90. I've gotten 1 ticket in 3yrs. With so many out-of-towners in Austin it's been easy.

 

[MP3Architect]

main question is how hard will it be to pass emissions inspections?

its easy for a newer car. as long as you have your cats (or appear to have them). they just hook into the p5's computer to check the p5 sensors. so as long as you dont have a cel problem with your exhaust you shouldn't have a problem. but as always you can find someone who will pass you regardless or if you pay them a little extra. i used to have to do that with my old '83 monte carlo.

 

[peepsalot]

I run expired-ass VA. tags, I just get the sticker on the plate updated. Cops here don't know any better. The fine for not having your tags changed over within 30 days is $90. I've gotten 1 ticket in 3yrs. With so many out-of-towners in Austin it's been easy.

s***, what's the sticker on the plate for, I forgot about that? I have registration and inspection stickers in my windshield. How often does the one on the plate need updating?

 

[PR54LIFE]

For my VA plate you mean? Every other year

 

[peepsalot]

So texas doesn't use stickers on the plates anymore? I guess my car never had a sticker on the plate, but I can't remember, can't look at it now either. I know back in the day at least they used to have stickers on them.

 

[Cellerator]

so I got this from the TX whatever site about emissions testing and the following:

Test Method: MY 1996 and newer vehicles will be subject to On-board Diagnostic (OBD) testing and MY 1995 and older vehicles will be subject to Two Speed Idle (TSI) testing.

what does this mean?

 

[MP3Architect]

no they stopped using stickers on plates years ago. now its the sticker on the windshield.

Test Method: MY 1996 and newer vehicles will be subject to On-board Diagnostic (OBD) testing and MY 1995 and older vehicles will be subject to Two Speed Idle (TSI) testing.

what does this mean?

the ODB is where they just plug your car to a computer and use the cars 02 sensors and whatnot to tell if your car is running alright. the idle testing is where they stick something up your muffler to detect how your car is doing.

 

[Cellerator]

That means we won't have the idling test but we got the other test. Does that show our emissions then?

 

[MP3Architect]

That means we won't have the idling test but we got the other test. Does that show our emissions then?

yes it shows emisions but its all based on the mazda ecu. so if you can trick that, you can trick the state. they wont look under your car and check for cats, just as long as your ecu checks out ok.

 

[titanium speed]

I'm curious because I'm thinking of fixing up an old beetle

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jk