PA State Inspection & Emissions Due? Schedule at Kelly’s Auto, serving Limerick, Royersford, Collegeville, Schwenksville, Pottstown & More, For All Of Your Automotive Mechanical Needs.
Do I Need To Get My Car Inspected In Pennsylvania?
If you own a vehicle and it is registered in Pennsylvania then the answer is, yes.
The dreaded time every year, your vehicle inspection is coming due…
At Kelly’s, we do our best to make it a painless process, from scheduling to our quick and friendly service.
Schedule your inspection and emissions test today. Call 484-369-8342
When Do I Have To Get My Car Inspected In Pennsylvania?
Your vehicle needs to go through the inspection and emissions process every year. The stickers on your windshield should display the last date the tests were done.
You can have your inspection done up to 90 days before the final deadline. You can get it done any time not only in the calendar month in which it is due, but also in the two calendar months prior. So if your vehicle is due for inspection in August, you can get it done as early as June.
Schedule your inspection and emissions test today. Call 484-369-8342
Should I Worry About Getting My Car Inspected?
Many factors go into answering this question, such as the age of the vehicle and regular maintenance.
Most vehicles under 20,000-30,000 miles should have no issues passing emissions and inspection. However, as your car gets past those miles it is important to keep up with regular scheduled maintenance.
I know… everyone knows this but a large percentage of car owners don’t complete regular suggested maintenance. In the end, it can cause your vehicle to fail inspection and be costlier than if you had kept up with regular maintenance.
For instance, if you start to hear a little scraping when you apply your brakes, it is probably time for new brake pads (not expensive). However, if you continue to wear the pads down you could start to harm the rotors. So now you are replacing brake pads and rotors (not as cheap as just brake pads). Continue with no repairs and you could damage your brake calipers (not cheap).
In the end, you could be paying well over a thousand dollars for something that could have cost you roughly a couple hundred bucks…
At Kelly’s, we want you as a long-term customer. We don’t want you to put off minimally priced maintenance and then feel like you got hit with a huge bill.
Schedule your inspection and emissions test today. Call 484-369-8342
What Happens If I Don't Get My Vehicle Inspected?
You could be looking at hefty unwanted fines from law enforcement.
Trust us, it’s cheaper to just get inspected; in the end, you will have to anyway…
Schedule your inspection and emissions test today. Call 484-369-8342
How Early Can I Get My Car Inspected?
You can have your inspection done up to 90 days before the final deadline. You can get it done any time not only in the calendar month in which it is due, but also in the two calendar months prior. So if your vehicle is due for inspection in August, you can get it done as early as June.
Schedule your inspection and emissions test today. Call 484-369-8342
What Happens If My Car Fails Inspection?
If a vehicle doesn’t pass the emissions inspection, you must make emissions-related repairs. After these repairs are made, the vehicle can be re-inspected for free, within 30 calendar days, at the station that initially conducted the inspection. If you wait longer than 30 days or take the vehicle to a different emissions inspection station, the re-inspection is not free.
In addition, if the vehicle still doesn’t pass the inspection, in most cases you can get a one-year waiver if you have spent a minimum of $150 on emissions-related repairs. In some cases, you may be required to spend more if the needed repair is the only repair that will address the problem.
Schedule your inspection and emissions test today. Call 484-369-8342
What Does PA Test For During Emissions Inspection
The Emissions test is always performed first, if the vehicle fails, the safety test and sticker can not be given.
Types Of Emission Testing:
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Check:
What is On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)?
OBD is an on-board system comprised of a computer with diagnostic software and sensors. The OBD system monitors the performance of the ignition, fuel metering, and emissions systems, including the sensors and the computer itself, while the vehicle is being driven to ensure they are working “as designed.” The on-board computer can identify a problem well before the driver may recognize symptoms. The computer will illuminate a light on the dash to notify the driver of a problem. Most dash lights will display a “Check Engine,” “Service Engine Soon,” or an engine symbol.
When the OBD system detects a problem, a diagnostic trouble code is stored in the vehicle’s computer. When a vehicle is brought in for an official OBD I/M Check, those trouble codes will help a technician properly diagnose and, if necessary, repair the problem. The OBD I/M Check can be performed on most 1996 and newer model-year gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, vans, and light-duty trucks weighing 8,500 pounds and less, since these vehicles were required by the EPA to be manufactured with OBD systems.
How is an OBD I/M Check performed?
A certified technician will attach a cable to the vehicle’s onboard computer through a data link connector (DLC), usually found under the dashboard, and download information to a computer to access how well the vehicle’s emissions system is functioning. The vehicle’s on-board computer will generate diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) if there are malfunctions or other problems present in the vehicle’s emissions system.
Tailpipe Tests
What is a Tailpipe Test?
A Tailpipe Test uses a tailpipe probe to collect a sample of the exhaust and an emissions analyzer to measure pollutants while the engine is idling. The Tailpipe Test can be performed on many gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, vans, and light-duty trucks. Inspection requirements are based on each vehicle’s model year, with an allowance for normal wear.
How is a Tailpipe Test performed?
First, a certified technician will verify that the vehicle’s engine is running at operating temperature. Then, the technician will insert a probe into the tailpipe to capture a sample of the engine’s exhaust. After approximately 30-45 seconds, the analyzer will determine whether or not the vehicle is emitting excess pollutants based on the
vehicle’s model year.
What is a Tailpipe Test Utilizing a Dynamometer?
A Tailpipe Test Utilizing a Dynamometer uses an emissions analyzer and a treadmill-like device, called a dynamometer, which puts a load on the engine to simulate driving conditions at 15 miles per hour. The Tailpipe Test Utilizing a Dynamometer can be performed on many gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, vans, and light-duty trucks. Inspection requirements are based on each vehicle’s model year, with an allowance for
normal wear.
How is a Tailpipe Test Utilizing a Dynamometer performed?
First, a certified technician will verify that the vehicle’s engine is running at operating temperature. Then, the technician will place the vehicle’s drive wheels on the dynamometer rollers. The technician will then insert a probe into the tailpipe to capture a sample of the engine’s exhaust. After approximately 30-45 seconds, the analyzer will
determine whether or not the vehicle is emitting excess pollutants based on the vehicle’s model year.
Why is a dynamometer used for some Tailpipe Tests?
In the Philadelphia region, where air pollution is more severe, it is necessary to reduce harmful oxides of nitrogen (NOX). To do this, the vehicle’s engine must be tested while under load. The treadmill-like device is the only method of applying a load to the vehicle’s drive wheels to test for NOX.
Gas Cap Test
What is a Gas Cap Test?
A Gas Cap Test is a functional check that tests whether harmful evaporative emissions (fumes) are escaping from a vehicle’s gas tank into the atmosphere.
How is a Gas Cap Test performed?
A certified technician will remove the gas cap and insert it into a device that will then apply pressure to the gas cap. The testing unit will verify that the gas cap holds pressure for approximately 45 seconds and a determination will be made as to whether or not fumes are escaping.
Visual Anti-Tampering Check
What is a Visual Anti-Tampering Check?
The Visual Anti-Tampering Check is a visual inspection for the presence of emission control components that were installed on a vehicle by the manufacturer.
How is a Visual Anti-Tampering Check performed?
A certified technician will look for the presence of the following emission control devices:
• Catalytic converter,
• Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve,
• Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve,
• Fuel inlet restrictor,
• Air pump, and
• Evaporative control system components such as vapor canisters and lines.
The certified technician will also determine if these devices are properly connected and if they are the correct type for the vehicle being inspected. These components may be original vehicle equipment or an equivalent aftermarket replacement component meeting the same standards. Only those components (listed above) that were part of
the original certified vehicle configuration are subject to this portion of the inspection. If a component was not originally on a vehicle at the time of manufacturer, it will pass inspection without it.
What constitutes tampering?
The rule of thumb when it comes to emissions systems is that any modification that changes the vehicle from a certified configuration to a non-certified configuration is considered tampering. This applies to both vehicle owners and repair facilities and is therefore a Federal offense. Replacing a catalytic converter with a straight pipe is one
traditional example of tampering. Likewise, overriding the OBD system through the use of high-tech defeat devices, non-certified computer chips, etc., would also be considered tampering.
Schedule your inspection and emissions test today. Call 484-369-8342
What Does PA Test For In A Vehicle Inspection?
The following are inspection criteria for different classifications of vehicles, motorcycles and trailers:
What are the inspection criteria for passenger cars and light-duty trucks?
Safety inspections for passenger cars and light-duty trucks require that the following items be checked:
- suspension components
- steering
- braking systems
- tires and wheels
- lighting and electrical systems
- glazing (glass)
- mirrors
- windshield washer
- defroster
- wipers
- fuel systems
- the speedometer
- the odometer
- the exhaust systems
- horns and warning devices
- the body
- the chassis.
- For most vehicles in the 42 county, Non-I/M region this safety inspection will also include a Visual Anti-Tampering Check. The Visual Anti-Tampering Check is an examination of the vehicle to see if the required emissions components have been tampered with or removed.
What are the inspection criteria for medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses?
Safety inspections for medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses require that the following items be checked:
- suspension components
- steering
- braking systems
- tires and wheels
- lighting and electrical systems
- glazing (glass)
- mirrors
- windshield washer
- defroster
- wipers
- fuel systems
- the speedometer
- the odometer
- the exhaust systems
- horns and warning devices
- the body
- the chassis.
What are the inspection criteria for recreational, semi-, and utility trailers?
Safety inspections for recreational, semi-, and utility trailers require that the following items be checked:
- suspension components
- braking systems
- tires and wheels
- lighting and electrical systems
- glazing
- the body
- the chassis.
What are the inspection criteria for motorcycles?
Safety inspections for motorcycles require that the following items be checked:
- suspension components
- steering
- braking systems
- tires and wheels
- lighting and electrical systems
- glazing (glass)
- mirrors
- fuel systems
- the speedometer
- the odometer
- the exhaust systems
- horns and warning devices
- the body
- the chassis.
What are the inspection criteria for motor-driven cycles and motorized pedal-cycles?
Safety inspections for motor-driven cycles and motorized pedal-cycles require that the following items be checked:
- steering
- braking systems
- tires and wheels
- lighting and electrical systems
- glazing (glass)
- mirrors
- fuel systems
- the speedometer
- the odometer
- the exhaust systems
- horns and warning devices
- the body
- the chassis.
Schedule your inspection and emissions test today. Call 484-369-8342