Smog Tests ?

[Caryc]

I don't belong to any automobile forums so I hope you don't mind my asking this question here. A few days ago, I took my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan in for a smog test. The place opened at 8 AM so I got there about 20 minutes early to avoid a long line.

At 8AM they opened up and I gave the guy my paperwork. I could see out the front window and he took my van into the shop at 8:02 AM. At 8:09 the guy came back into the office and said my van was done and passed. I was a bit shocked since the test took only 7 minutes. From what I remember, I think smog tests always took like 30 minutes or more.

Have any of you experienced a 7 minute smog test? I'm wondering if something in the testing process has changed.

 

[wjytexas]

I don't belong to any automobile forums so I hope you don't mind my asking this question here. A few days ago, I took my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan in for a smog test. The place opened at 8 AM so I got there about 20 minutes early to avoid a long line.

At 8AM they opened up and I gave the guy my paperwork. I could see out the front window and he took my van into the shop at 8:02 AM. At 8:09 the guy came back into the office and said my van was done and passed. I was a bit shocked since the test took only 7 minutes. From what I remember, I think smog tests always took like 30 minutes or more.

Have any of you experienced a 7 minute smog test? I'm wondering if something in the testing process has changed.

Here they use the OBD system is the vehicle has one.

 

[timcasbolt]

7 minutes is about par for anything after '98 using obd II in MD.

 

[560Dennis]

Here you can do it yourself at their kiosks e check machine 24/7 . I haven’t done it that way . I get in line .
I have not figured how at the e check kiosks machine that they see if the check engine light is working though !
I failed my second e check with the F150 cause the check engine light was out . Don’t know how it passed the first time but it did. Never even got in to the check phase ,they said check engine is not operating ,get it fixed and come back .
They also know if I did if OBD2 erase codes to get though before light comes back on .

 

[sandcastle1]

e check here in Ohio is probably about that same time.

 

[37chief]

I don't belong to any automobile forums so I hope you don't mind my asking this question here. A few days ago, I took my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan in for a smog test. The place opened at 8 AM so I got there about 20 minutes early to avoid a long line.

At 8AM they opened up and I gave the guy my paperwork. I could see out the front window and he took my van into the shop at 8:02 AM. At 8:09 the guy came back into the office and said my van was done and passed. I was a bit shocked since the test took only 7 minutes. From what I remember, I think smog tests always took like 30 minutes or more.

Have any of you experienced a 7 minute smog test? I'm wondering if something in the testing process has changed.

Just be happy it passed, for a 20 year old car. Stan

 

[Tx Jim]

My '99 just was recently inspected with no need for OBD ll test due to being 25 yrs old. I was proud to find out exhaust emissions from 25 yr old vehicle doesn't pollute the atmosphere similar to later model vehicles!! Texas inspection only cost $7

 

[Bruce from Can.]

So few cars ever failed the emissions test here in Ontario,Canada, that the government gave up demanding mandatory testing for gas vehicles over 5 years old. Fuel injected engines with electric ignition systems don’t pollute as much as old carburetor engines, because they stay in tune.

 

[dcarp]

My '99 just was recently inspected with no need for OBD ll test due to being 25 yrs old. I was proud to find out exhaust emissions from 25 yr old vehicle doesn't pollute the atmosphere similar to later model vehicles!! Texas inspection only cost $7

FYI this is the last year for Texas vehicle inspections. Going away in 2025.

 

[JMOR]

FYI this is the last year for Texas vehicle inspections. Going away in 2025.

Not everywhere in Texas.
The 17 Texas counties that require emissions inspections will still mandate annual tests regardless of the bill becoming law. These are Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson counties.

However, the $7.50 fee remains intact under a new name: the inspection program replacement fee.

 

[chris142]

My '99 just was recently inspected with no need for OBD ll test due to being 25 yrs old. I was proud to find out exhaust emissions from 25 yr old vehicle doesn't pollute the atmosphere similar to later model vehicles!! Texas inspection only cost $7

A test here in the communist state of California is $60

 

[DoubleO7]

I don't belong to any automobile forums so I hope you don't mind my asking this question here. A few days ago, I took my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan in for a smog test. The place opened at 8 AM so I got there about 20 minutes early to avoid a long line.

At 8AM they opened up and I gave the guy my paperwork. I could see out the front window and he took my van into the shop at 8:02 AM. At 8:09 the guy came back into the office and said my van was done and passed. I was a bit shocked since the test took only 7 minutes. From what I remember, I think smog tests always took like 30 minutes or more.

Have any of you experienced a 7 minute smog test? I'm wondering if something in the testing process has changed.

From your description it sounds like it is actually just an OBDII system is functioning test?

If it is working and not showing any codes, it passes. and no actual smog testing is done.

If a code is showing, it must be remedied to pass.

And if not working at all, it fails the test.

 

[Caryc]

Just be happy it passed, for a 20 year old car. Stan

I have a 35 year old Ford Aerostar van that also passed it's last smog test.

 

[Caryc]

From your description it sounds like it is actually just an OBDII system is functioning test?

If it is working and not showing any codes, it passes. and no actual smog testing is done.

If a code is showing, it must be remedied to pass.

And if not working at all, it fails the test.

Are you talking about the codes that will display on my 2003 Grand Caravan odometer if there is a problem? Doing a certain turn off / turn on sequence will make these codes display if there is a problem.

 

[1948CaseVAI]

I don't belong to any automobile forums so I hope you don't mind my asking this question here. A few days ago, I took my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan in for a smog test. The place opened at 8 AM so I got there about 20 minutes early to avoid a long line.

At 8AM they opened up and I gave the guy my paperwork. I could see out the front window and he took my van into the shop at 8:02 AM. At 8:09 the guy came back into the office and said my van was done and passed. I was a bit shocked since the test took only 7 minutes. From what I remember, I think smog tests always took like 30 minutes or more.

Have any of you experienced a 7 minute smog test? I'm wondering if something in the testing process has changed.

I can't understand why anone lives in a place where a "smog test" is required. If that's the law in your state then the law is evil and you can work to alter it.

 

[Tx Jim]

Not everywhere in Texas.
The 17 Texas counties that require emissions inspections will still mandate annual tests regardless of the bill becoming law. These are Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson counties.

However, the $7.50 fee remains intact under a new name: the inspection program replacement fee.

Vehicles that are in counties just to the South or West of the county I live in don't have to have vehicle emissions checked. I guess when the wind is blowing from the South then my neighbors to South & West exhaust fumes stop a county line which is 15 miles away!! Or if those residents to the South drive to Metroplex their vehicles emissions are OK

 

[JMOR]

Vehicles that are in counties just to the South or West of the county I live in don't have to have vehicle emissions checked. I guess when the wind is blowing from the South then my neighbors to South & West exhaust fumes stop a county line which is 15 miles away!! Or if those residents to the South drive to Metroplex their vehicles emissions are OK

I guess that is what the bureaucrats figured out!

 

[DoubleO7]

I get so tired of people like you who think you know what's good for everyone. Why don't you keep your dumb opinions to yourself? anone?

If it displays "P" codes. maybe others, yes.
Even if just a/your check engine light is on there are usually OBDII codes to pull up with a scanner.
Oxygen sensor faulty or running rich fault, etc.

 

[timcasbolt]

I can't understand why anone lives in a place where a "smog test" is required. If that's the law in your state then the law is evil and you can work to alter it.

As I recall the smoking, belching, leaking cars of my youth I'm reminded why I disagree with you.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I guess that is what the bureaucrats figured out!

No they figured out they can get $7 and do noting for it, that's the part that gets me. When the county I live in did away with emission testing I was stuck with a $6500 machine with no compensation. Its my understanding Texas supplied the test Equitment they did away with it because of the cost involved. $7 was just promoting lick and stick inspections anyway. They could enforce this but then they will say they don't have the manpower.

On his years tax listing I left the Emission tester off of my report, I got a call from the tax office as to why. I told them it was useless now and why ,they agreed and it shocked me : ). I told them 9 years ago it was a $200 desktop, a $300 printer and 6K worth of software that was of no use now.