KMASS993

I haven't had my car inspected in Mass for 3 years due to our lovely SAI issue. I was just checking the DMV website and noted the following:

Emissions Tests

The On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Test Massachusetts uses two types of emissions tests: On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) for most vehicles and Snap Acceleration Opacity for heavy duty vehicles that are not equipped with OBD systems.

On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) tests are given to:

Model year 1997 and newer passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs

Model year 1997 and newer light-duty diesel vehicles (8,500 pounds or less)

Model year 2007 and newer medium-duty vehicles (8,501 to 14,000 pounds)

Model year 2008 and newer medium-duty diesel vehicles (8,501 to 14,000 pounds)

Vehicles made in model years 1996 and older no longer receive a tailpipe emissions test, but are checked for visible smoke during their safety inspection.

Having a 1996 this is great news. I thought I would share w/ those in Mass with a 1996 993.

Kevin

g_murray

Just don't let them do the 'smoke test' first thing in the morning / very first start up after it's been sitting there for a while! :-O

Here in NY, it's an OBD-ii test and all 8 readiness monitors need to be 'set' otherwise you FAIL coz the car "is not ready". They also take off one of the wheels (their choice) to check the condition of the brakes. (So you have to remember to leave the lug-nut key with them.)

G.

nile13

Kevin, that is really surprising. 1996 was the first year of mandated OBD2, so 1997 that RMV mentions is a little odd. I'd ask one of the inspection stations.

I believe that they scan your previous sticker and the computer tells them what test to administer. I'd ask my inspection guy but he's laid out for a while after a motorcycle accident

morsini

Just picked up a '96 Turbo. Safety inspection and that's it.

KMASS993

Morsini - Great news with the confirmation. Mike - I checked this a while back and it actually did say 1996 cars, I wonder if they move it up every year for cars > 15 years old?

DC from Cape Cod

Last 15 years for emissions in MA I believe...

KMASS993

So does this mean you could do cat bypass?

DC from Cape Cod

I am sure they would never know...

ltc

Same here in MA
I took my wife's 97 Targa out of storage and down to the inspection station, figuring it would be no problem, just like every year.
Nope.
Failed.
Reason was that I had installed a new battery over the winter and that reset all the readiness codes. I didn't drive it enough or put enough cycles on it prior to inspection.
So, now I have a large FAILED sticker on the windshield.

g_murray

Hi ltc,
And when anyone runs a CARFAX on your car ...it will show as having ***failed emissions***.
Bear this in mind and have an 'answer' ready for any prospective buyers. Hopefully they'll 'understand' the readiness fandango.
Gerry

nile13

Kevin, DC, that's actually great news. In about 2 years I can stop playing ECU tango with my autocross appliance. Right now I have to switch ECU and get enough miles to read OBD2 every spring.

I'm curious, though. Will they fail just for the fact that CEL light is on? In theory they should not, right?

DC from Cape Cod

Cover it with a bit of tape...

levtron

Just did my inspection.. NO ODBII even plugged in.... :-) Only visual across the board.

KMASS993

Excellent! Mike, just unplug your light. My airbag light is on and it will now fail with one. I am just going to unplug it.

nile13

I'm talking about the autocross appliance, guys, a 2000 Miata. My '95 993 doesn't have no stinkin' OBD2

But it's great news in any event. The less intrusive poking by state, the better.