How To Pass Emissions With Service Engine Light On

On-Board Diagnostics Testing

What To Know

If your vehicle is a 1996 or newer model, it comes equipped with an On-Board Diagnostics System (OBD II). This system is designed to grab emissions bug earlier they become a major concern.

OBD alerts you to weather condition that waste matter fuel, shorten engine life and result in potentially expensive repairs.
OBD lets you know your vehicle is contributing to unhealthful air by emitting excess pollutants.

A vehicle will not laissez passer an emissions test when the check engine light is on. If the bombardment has been asunder or the trouble codes erased, you lot volition have to drive the vehicle nether varying conditions for upwardly to one week before information technology volition pass. Remove whatsoever device that monitors your driving habits before a test and supervene upon it afterwards.

Be as vivid as this dashboard low-cal!

Have your vehicle to a qualified OBD II repair store when you see the Check Engine light. A flashing light indicates a severe problem which could damage the catalytic converter.

Emission Tests with OBD Ii

Your yearly smog cheque on 1996 and newer vehicles is done through OBD II, rather than the older 2-speed or "tail pipage" exam. OBD Ii is more authentic than the 2-speed test and less plush than the dynamometer tests used in some other states. The exam itself is also much faster. Stations can often complete an OBD II examination in v minutes or less.

The emissions technician will scan your Vehicle Identification Number on the driver'south door using a bar code reader. The technician will then plug a cablevision from the analyzer into your vehicle's OBD computer. There is no other connection or probe. Not only does this quickly point whether your vehicle passes, it likewise helps the technician pinpoint any malfunctions.

Nevada emission inspections stations are equipped with advanced analyzers that send emissions examination results to the DMV in real time. Simple screens walk the operator through the test. Many stations as well offer registration renewals once you accept completed the test.

OBD II is the lowest price, most accurate inspection for newer vehicles. Vehicles 1995 and before will continue to be tested under the two-speed method.

Do's and Don'ts

Practise take your vehicle in for service right away if the "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" calorie-free comes on and stays lit. This calorie-free should not be ignored. Even though the vehicle might seem to exist running just fine, in that location is a problem which has potential to increase emission levels.

Ane item you tin check easily is the gas cap. A loose or cleaved gas cap volition cause the Bank check Engine calorie-free to come on. The light become off by itself once the gas cap is properly tightened.

Sometimes when a Cheque Engine Lite comes on the vehicle's engine computer volition go into a "redundancy" or "limp-dwelling house" way. This allows the vehicle to go along operating until repairs can be fabricated. Back-up or limp-home modes are not the most emission or fuel efficient way for the vehicle to operate. The trouble needs to be repaired.

Exercise check with your local dealer to notice out if your vehicle is covered by warranty or recall if a problem occurs with your vehicle'southward OBD-Two system. Expensive emission components could be covered nether warranty for up to eight yrs or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs start.

EPA Emission Warranty Information

DO get your annual emission test early. Remember, the test is valid for xc days on renewals and private party transactions. If the emission test finds a problem with your vehicle, you will accept some time to accept care of the problem before your registration expires.

DON'T bulldoze your vehicle if the "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" light is flashing. A flashing light means that a problem exists that may cause impairment to expensive emission control systems. So, get your vehicle to a repair facility immediately. A ruined catalytic converter can toll thousands of dollars to replace.

DON'T accept your vehicle in for an emission exam right away if you only replaced a battery, or if the existing battery had gone expressionless, was disconnected or has been cranking slowly. If a battery drops beneath five volts the vehicle'southward reckoner memory will be lost. Your vehicle will not pass the exam and will be "Rejected". The vehicle will need to be driven under varying weather condition for upward to 1 calendar week in order for the OBD-Ii system to run all of its on-lath diagnostic tests.

If your license plates are expired, or will elapse inside the week, go to your nearest DMV office and request a motility permit. Information technology is very rare to detect a vehicle that volition not be ready for emission testing afterwards a calendar week'due south normal driving. In the event you have whatsoever questions, delight contact the Department of Motor Vehicles Emission Control Lab in your expanse. In Las Vegas, please phone call (702) 486-4981. In Reno, please telephone call (775) 684-3580.

DON'T clear whatever Data Trouble Codes using a scanner, hoping to pass the emission examination. If you erase the Data Trouble Codes and then take the vehicle in for emission testing correct away, it will exist "Rejected". Immigration the Data Problem Codes erases all of the OBD-2 organization's memory settings. The vehicle volition need to be driven nether varying weather condition for up to one week. Additionally, erasing the codes may hibernate problems and make it more difficult to diagnose and fix your vehicle.

DON'T take the vehicle in for a test if you have a device that monitors your driving habits plugged in to the connector beneath the dashboard. Yous must remove the device and replace information technology afterward the exam. Emission stations are required to fail the vehicle if such a device is plugged in.

Frequently Asked Questions

See also the U.Southward. EPA State and Local Transportation Resource.

What is OBD?

The On Board Diagnostics system is equanimous of a computer that monitors the emissions arrangement and fundamental engine components. It can usually detect a malfunction or deterioration in these components before the driver becomes enlightened of the problem. The U.Due south. EPA has required auto makers to install OBD systems on all cars and calorie-free-duty trucks made since 1996.

OBD systems are designed to alert the driver when a component in the engine direction or emissions systems begins to deteriorate or malfunction. Early on detection of pocket-sized issues, followed by timely repair, can oftentimes prevent more costly damage to components such as the catalytic converter.

How does OBD work?

When the OBD computer detects a problem, it stores a Diagnostics Trouble Lawmaking and may illuminate the "Bank check Engine" or "Service Engine" light on the vehicle's dashboard. This light cannot be turned off until the necessary repairs are completed or the condition no longer exists.

When y'all take your motorcar in for diagnosis or for an annual emission inspection, the repair technician retrieves the trouble codes from the computer using a "Scan Tool." By using this data, a properly trained repair technician can rapidly and accurately set any problem.

Nether certain conditions, the dashboard lite will blink or flash. This indicates a severe problem. The driver should reduce speed and seek service equally presently equally possible. Malfunctions which crusade a flashing light can seriously harm emission control system components in a short period of fourth dimension, peculiarly the catalytic converter.

What does OBD have to practice with air pollution?

Motor vehicles are the largest source of air pollutants in North America. Although modern vehicles are getting cleaner due to improved engines and emission controls, emissions are low just when everything is in proper working order.

When an engine is not at maximum efficiency, operation is lost, fuel is wasted and air pollutant emissions increment. OBD can notice emission component bug before in that location is an obvious problem with the car or truck.

How do I know at that place is a problem with my car or truck?

OBD systems are designed to warning drivers when something in the engine or emission control organisation begins to deteriorate or fail. When the OBD system determines that a problem exists a code is stored in the computer memory. The computer may illuminate a dashboard calorie-free indicating "Service Engine Soon" or "Check Engine."

This calorie-free informs the driver that there is an emission-related engine problem. If the light is on, there is a real problem relating to emission control that needs to be fixed. If the low-cal is flashing the driver needs to accept the car to a repair technician as soon as possible.

How do I turn the engine light off?

The repair technician will plow off the dashboard light after the necessary repairs accept been fabricated. There are also situations under which the vehicle's OBD system can turn off the dashboard lite automatically if the conditions that caused the problem are no longer present.

Is OBD going to cost me more money?

No. It may really save you coin. OBD is designed to aid the commuter likewise as the environment by alerting the driver early to deterioration and failure of parts that bear upon engine function and/or pollutant emissions.

Early detection of engine or emission system failures followed by a timely repair will forestall more costly repairs downward the road. Information technology can also help lower repair costs because the test is more specific and tin assist reduce troubleshooting time.

What happens afterward on OBD test?

Vehicles that pass the OBD inspection will be able to proceed with vehicle registration. All emissions test results are transmitted electronically to the DMV. We encourage you lot to renew by Cyberspace, at a kiosk or at emissions stations that offering this service.

If a car or truck fails the OBD test, the owner will be provided with a test study that specifies the reason for failure. Vehicles that fail the test must exist repaired in gild to register the car or truck.

Who tin set an OBD problem?

Merely a qualified trained service technician equipped with the right diagnostic and repair equipment can perform OBD-related repairs. Vehicle owners should ask their vehicle repair facility if the technicians have received proper grooming and accept access to the necessary equipment to properly service OBD-equipped vehicles.

Are OBD related repairs covered by my warranty?

Federal law requires that the emissions control systems on 1996 and newer vehicles be warranted for two years or 24,000 miles (which ever comes showtime). Many machine manufacturers provide extended coverage as well. Federal constabulary also requires that the on-lath reckoner and the catalytic converter on 1996 and newer vehicles be covered for eight years or 80,000 miles. Consult your vehicle owners transmission or warranty for coverage.