To Pass or Not to Pass “Pennsylvania Emissions”

Todays emissions test are computer based and use your vehicles on-board computer to determine if the vehicle is running efficently accourding to its own diagnostic program parameters. While this can be confusing to understand, somethings are easy for you to do before driving down to your local emissions station and being disappointed.

First check your sticker. On the back side of the sticker there is a printed record of the date and mileage that your last test was done. Vehicles that have been owned a year or more and driven less than 5000 miles a full year from the previous inspection date are exempt and will only require a sticker placement, not an offical test. All other milages, dates and owner ship times will be a full test.

Second find your paperwork. Its important that you have a current owners card, Test can not be completed with out it. If you can’t locate this paperwork or haven’t recieved it yet, some acceptable subsitutions are online temporary renewal or “Pink” title transfer paperwork.

Third check your gas cap. Often overlooked is your gas cap. Check and make sure you have one and that i looks in good condition. Check the seal on the back side for cracks or anything unusual. Replace it if anything is in question. Your gas cap will be pressure tested and will fail if it doesn’t hold pressure for any reason.

Fourth check for lights on the dash. When you get in your car and turn on the ignition all the lights should light. You are paricularly looking for a yellow Check Engine/ Service Engine Soon lights. Sometimes also displayed as a engine symbol. This light should come on with the turn of the ignition and shut out after a few seconds of starting the engine. If this light doesn’t come on or doesn’t shut off you’ll need to have a mechanic look at it.

Fifth and final don’t panic. PA gives you three months to prepare for this test once a year, provided your not seeking exemption. Be smart keep track of you sticker expireation dates. If your service lights are on and your way out of exemption the earlier you start checking the less the finacial impact. Sometimes repairs can be  simple and affordable and the sooner you know the better you can plan. Also a preventive maintence and check up schedule can save you costly repairs and bring other potential issues to the surface before it becomes a light on your dash.

Remember your mechanic is critical. Asking the wrong shop can be costly. Examples are sometimes obvious, if the are a quick lube the specialty isn’t likely emissions of diagnostics. The best referance is a personal referance ask you neigbors where they go.