What are the laws regarding emission testing? I've heard from some people that they test all cars 10 years or older. I've from different people that they test cars only in cities of x number of people or higher.
I'm in Washington, and will be living in Seattle soon. How do they test emissions there? Is it just the sniffer? Will I pass the tests with an SR20?
I don't wanna end up getting an SR20 and then fail all emissions and get in serious trouble for it.
Does anyone know?
Nick.
Emission testing - Washington and rest of US
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SpeedRacer1
- Posts: 3144
- Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:44 pm
- Car: 1990 240SX, G35
Yes I know since I am from WA also just like you, my name is Nick too just like you and I have an S13 w/ SR20DET that I just had an emissions ordeal with about two weeks ago.
In WA they check your car every other year, so if you werent tested this year you will be next year. They will test a 10 yr old car, I do believe they stop testing at about 25 years old. If you live in King, Snohomish, Pierce or Clark counties you are required to take the emissions test.
As for my story of the SR20DET and WA emissions, it sucks. I almost passed my first try with a dummy cat. I got a 1.3% CO at idle, the limit in WA is 1.2%. After spending $400 for a new cat and some adjusting by an emissions certified mech(which did nothing) I still failed the CO at idle getting a 1.26% and 1.25% one test after another. Since I went to a station where they really didnt care to look at why I failed they gave me a waiver for the car.
They gave me the waiver because I spent over $150 to try and fix my car after I failed. Though according to the rules they arent supposed to give me it since I dont have "the engine that is meant for the vehicle."
There is no visual inspection in WA at the moment and they test for HydroCarbon and Carbon Monoxide emissions at 25MPH(through a dyno) and at Idle. They will also perform a gas cap test to make sure it isnt leaking, though if you fail that and pass the rest, the next time you come back they will only check the cap and not the emissions.
Hope that helps and wasnt too long, if you want the websites to the emissions info the just ask in this thread.
In WA they check your car every other year, so if you werent tested this year you will be next year. They will test a 10 yr old car, I do believe they stop testing at about 25 years old. If you live in King, Snohomish, Pierce or Clark counties you are required to take the emissions test.
As for my story of the SR20DET and WA emissions, it sucks. I almost passed my first try with a dummy cat. I got a 1.3% CO at idle, the limit in WA is 1.2%. After spending $400 for a new cat and some adjusting by an emissions certified mech(which did nothing) I still failed the CO at idle getting a 1.26% and 1.25% one test after another. Since I went to a station where they really didnt care to look at why I failed they gave me a waiver for the car.
They gave me the waiver because I spent over $150 to try and fix my car after I failed. Though according to the rules they arent supposed to give me it since I dont have "the engine that is meant for the vehicle."
There is no visual inspection in WA at the moment and they test for HydroCarbon and Carbon Monoxide emissions at 25MPH(through a dyno) and at Idle. They will also perform a gas cap test to make sure it isnt leaking, though if you fail that and pass the rest, the next time you come back they will only check the cap and not the emissions.
Hope that helps and wasnt too long, if you want the websites to the emissions info the just ask in this thread.
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SpeedRacer1
- Posts: 3144
- Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:44 pm
- Car: 1990 240SX, G35
I live in King country, and have been living in king county for the past 13 years and no one in my family has ever recieved any sort of notification for emission testing. I heard from a friend that you have to live in a city w/ 10 or more thousand people.
ANd one more thing, i MUST see your car! IM me at any time, and we can chat a bit. My SN is NiqNaqAttaq. I'd love more than anythign to see your car!
Nick
ANd one more thing, i MUST see your car! IM me at any time, and we can chat a bit. My SN is NiqNaqAttaq. I'd love more than anythign to see your car!
Nick
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SpeedRacer1
- Posts: 3144
- Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:44 pm
- Car: 1990 240SX, G35
"The Emission Check Program tests factory-installed emission control systems on motor vehicles. It is required by law in urban areas of Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties because they have experienced problems meeting air quality standards for motor vehicle-related air pollutants."
"How often does my vehicle need to be tested? Gasoline and diesel vehicles at least five years old and up to 25 years old need an Emission Check every other year. Your registration renewal notice will tell you if your vehicle needs a test. "
"Are there other times when my vehicle needs to be tested? Yes. It needs to be tested when you transfer the ownership to a new owner. However, if the transfer is between immediate family members or between co-owners, the test is unnecessary.
Another time you may need to test is when an out-of-state vehicle is brought into one of the emission test areas -- Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, or Spokane Counties. We test those vehicles according to the year, as shown in the chart above."
These are excerpts from the Dept of Ecology website about emissions testing, I have no idea how your family hasnt been getting tested. Nearly everyone in King County lives in a city with 10000 or more people, and that isnt a law in any books so your friend is wrong. Though I suppose if you dont live in one of these Zip codes you arent required to take it http://www.leg.wa.gov/wac/inde...2-050 .
The website to look for all your emissions info is http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/emis-1.html
If you wanna see my car sometime just IM me at AznSpeedRacer1 I'll be free for about another 2 weeks till school begins.
"How often does my vehicle need to be tested? Gasoline and diesel vehicles at least five years old and up to 25 years old need an Emission Check every other year. Your registration renewal notice will tell you if your vehicle needs a test. "
"Are there other times when my vehicle needs to be tested? Yes. It needs to be tested when you transfer the ownership to a new owner. However, if the transfer is between immediate family members or between co-owners, the test is unnecessary.
Another time you may need to test is when an out-of-state vehicle is brought into one of the emission test areas -- Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, or Spokane Counties. We test those vehicles according to the year, as shown in the chart above."
These are excerpts from the Dept of Ecology website about emissions testing, I have no idea how your family hasnt been getting tested. Nearly everyone in King County lives in a city with 10000 or more people, and that isnt a law in any books so your friend is wrong. Though I suppose if you dont live in one of these Zip codes you arent required to take it http://www.leg.wa.gov/wac/inde...2-050 .
The website to look for all your emissions info is http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/emis-1.html
If you wanna see my car sometime just IM me at AznSpeedRacer1 I'll be free for about another 2 weeks till school begins.
Emissions testing can be a huge problem, especialy here in caly, IF your trying to pass. However, the price for the test and usually 250-300 will pass you if you find the right place. The first place i went to just rolled thier eyes and said they dont do that kind of business, the second place was kind of dirty looking and the guy upfront was like sure. So, there it is, 250-300. Better than spending a lot on a ticket.....