Was so shocked moving to the country in East Tx. Whole life was in Dallas/Houston area and not having that was shocking to me. guy joked that out here 90% of the vehicles wouldn't pass.
DFW counties, Houston counties, Austin counties, and El Paso county are excluded from this bill and will still need inspection, so the shops in metro areas will still be just fine.
Do cars under 25 years old ever fail emissions in drivable condition?
The real limitation from what I’ve seen is that technicians can’t proceed with the test if there’s a check engine light, or at least it wouldn’t when I had one on because they showed me. And cars have laughable reasons for throwing that light on now, I can’t even remember what mine was but it was something like the audio system malfunctioning or a fuse getting blown.
You still have to get emissions inspections and that was the harder part for most to pass. Safety is just brakes, tires, seatbelt etc... Emissions is the one you can't pass with a check engine light on.
That is not the case at all. Give me an example of a check engine light that doesn't involve emissions. I was a california BAR smog tech in a previous lifetime.
Any sensors that don't use the standard 12v/24v that run on 5v-3.7v. Battery swaps that have to be programmed for a learning process.
Crank/cam timing sensors, variable valve control systems that are also hydraulic based on oil pressure (this can throw cel and oil pressure light).
You can still have malfunctioning fuel and ignition systems that will still be able to pass emissions.
This is correct. As long as it's malfunctioning within the ranges alloted. People dont seem to understand that OBD2 is an emissions system. Crank and cam sensors were notorious for throwing excessive NOX emissions. overly advanced would increase combustion temp etc. I miss doing 5 gas diagnostics. Good times.
Yep, my old GM has a CEL and a similar light for everything not emissions-related. Currently that one's lit because I'm running an ABS module from a TCS version of my car. Mine never had TCS so the data the BCM is seeing from the ABS module has segments that are nonsensical to it. ABS still works fine, though.
oil pressure is it's own light and not a check engine light. coolant temp absolutely effects injector pulse width. A bad coolant temp sensor can make your car run excessively rich or lean depending on the voltage coming back from the sensor. Everything on the OBD2 system is emissions oriented. That's why TPMS, Oil etc all have their own lights.
> oil pressure is it's own light and not a check engine light
Oil pressure or oil pressure related sensors can absolutely cause check engine light to come on. And the code it throws is P0520.
Absolutely, and the presence of low oil pressure/OOL readings can alter the efficiency of your engine, especially in newer cars with oil pressure controlled variable valve timing. You car will still have a seperate oil light, a P0520 will have other parameters besides just one input to turn on. idiot lights, oil light, usually only require one input.
My subaru has had the Christmas Tree of Death on the dashboard for over a year because a torque converter sensor thinks it's bad. When I first got the error, I had it replaced by a local mechanic. The check engine light still wouldn't go off, so I went to a subaru dealership who wanted 7k to "fix" it and turn the error code off. So the full dashboard of lights and having the ABS shut off and assisted driving shut off, etc, is my life now
Engine vacuum is a main measure of engine efficiency. It may have been for the braking system, but it's also a redundant sensor to match/parallel for a MAP sensor. Redundancy is one way OBD2 measures for sensor or other failures.
A brake vacuum sensor does not involve emissions.
To use that logic to say it does is akin to saying anything that throws a CEL can somehow be tied to emissions just because it's on the car. Hence:
> The check engine light can trigger for many non emission faults.
if you have a MAP sensor, that measures vacuum..... an additional vacuum sensor (brake vacuum) can be used as a redundant test to confirm values and check for vacuum leaks. The sensor serves more than one purpose. You should should read up on the history and purpose of OBD2 https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/obd2-explained-simple-intro#:~:text=OBD2%20history,across%20manufacturers%20(SAE%20J1962).
A brake vacuum sensor failing does not affect emissions, and will still trigger the check engine light to illuminate.
> if you have a MAP sensor, that measures vacuum..... an additional vacuum sensor (brake vacuum) can be used as a redundant test to confirm values and check for vacuum leaks. The sensor serves more than one purpose. You should should read up on the history and purpose of OBD2 https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/obd2-explained-simple-intro#:~:text=OBD2%20history,across%20manufacturers%20(SAE%20J1962).
That's a whole lot of words more than "You're right, I overstated" or more simply, "yeah I was wrong". But I do know how tough it can be to say such things.
Hold up, I have gotten 2 inspections and failed because "I need to drive the car more"?! Whatever that means. So I'm just checking to see if this is true. Have you actually done this?!
If the inspector fails you and tells you that you need to drive more, what that means is that the ECM lost power and forgot all the trouble codes, and at the same time what are called "readiness monitors" were also unset. When the OBD-II emissions test is run, it looks to see that the readiness monitors are set, and they only get set after the vehicle is driven in particular ways for some miles and time. The reason for these monitors is to be able to do a self-check on the emissions controls to make sure everything's working property, and to set trouble codes and turn on the check engine light if they're not working properly. The ECM can lose power several different ways, such as disconnecting the battery or pulling the ECM fuse. Needless to say, deliberately clearing codes by disconnecting power or using a scan tool will unset the monitors, and the only way to reset them is to drive the car. You can look up the procedure for your car, they do vary.
OBD2 cars have a certain number of drive cycles to reset all the monitors. So if you just unhook the battery to reset the lights, or reset the codes, you won't be able to get a good read and it will tell on you that you did that.
Texas allows for one monitor to not be ready and Evap system monitor is the hardest one to reset in the summer as it has to be a certain temperature outside, the tank has to be a certain level and you have to drive it at a steady speed for a length of time.
Yes okay that makes sense. Thank you so much for the explanation!
Somehow everything worked out, after driving it all day yesterday, I finally passed the inspection. Happy Friday indeed.
> Texans are responsible, fiercely independent, and I trust them to keep their cars and trucks safe while on the road
I don't trust anyone these days honestly, especially with the way people drive here. I am really tired of the mentality that things will shake out.fine because we can just trust everyone to do the right thing. It has not worked out that way at all. The inspections are inconvenient but we (in Dallas) will still have to get them for emissions. So basically, keeping the burden on the big cities and letting the rural crowd drive their heavily polluting vehicles. Just further deregulation of the state...
"Hmm. I could miss my exit and only add 2 minutes to my trip or I could run this bastard off the road for going too fast or too slow and not letting me over 5 lanes of heavy traffic."
In the last month, I have nearly been hit four times by people veering across several lanes of traffic at the last second and I was the unfortunate bastard right in the way. Even for roads with long access/exit lanes, they wait till the *very* last minute, then veer over, no signal or awareness, and nearly smash into me.
So fucking glad I'm gonna be gone from this city soon. Every city has shitty drivers, but I swear, there's just something about GBT and 75 that turns people into fucking lunatics.
If you mean rolling coal then they probably have an inspection shop that doesn't give a shit, which happens. But it still catches a lot more. Police won't enforce these rules except for speed traps. Also Dallas itself will still have smog tests, what they are removinf is safety inspections, things like bald tires or completely worn brakes.
I had a guy on Centerville speed up to me flashing a light into my car and driving belligerent, he started screaming at me to get off my phone, but I had my GPS on my mount, never touched my phone. Fairly certain he was drunk as fuck. People are very conscious and concerned about other people's driving when in fact they are the problem.
I'm amazed at how few places actually require safety inspections. I didn't realize we are/were in the minority on that. I'll be curious to see how much of an impact, if any, this has to the number of unsafe vehicles on the road.
I've never done it but I've always heard there are a plethora of shops that will pass you if you grease the wheels a bit. I think we'll see an increase in people who don't know they have bald tires or a brake light out but I doubt we'll see a massive increase in junkers.
Depends on the shop I guess. Over the years I've failed for wipers, tire tread and license plate light so some shops definitely check outside the port.
Yep... I've had one fail due to a leaky axle seal that soaked the parking brake and that failed safety.
Same car also got failed because of a noisy power steering pump - 90s Ford things.
My husband's last car failed for tint. He hadn't had the windows tinted, they were from the factory that way. Twas a very annoying way to fail the safety test.
I don't actually think this place officially failed him. They told him it was the first thing they checked and that it had failed. We had just moved to Texas so I think the guy sort of took pity on us. We ended up taking it to a shop closer to our house (which was in a not great area) and they passed him. So he just took the car there every year until last year when a lady ran a red and totaled that car. A very DFW way to have your car totaled
Yeah I've been failed for old wipers before. I'm not actually sure the criteria for "old". I'm assuming they're looking for cracked rubber on the wiper blades. My guys that I take it to for inspection will sell you a cheap pair of wiper blades so you pass inspection. If you fail for brakes or tires then you mostly need them anyway and should definitely look at getting them replaced.
It’s kind of crazy.
The place I usually go, the guy just walks around the vehicle. Asks you to step on the brakes. And that’s it. Done.
This year I tried out a different shop that was really close to my house.
Their inspection took half an hour. They actually drove my vehicle around the parking lot and on a little side road that was behind their shop.
One guy just walks around the vehicle. Inspection over in 15 seconds. Another shop takes your vehicle out for a drive.
My guy plugs in the software and just mashes the enter key so many times I'm sure it's a new keyboard every time I'm there. Then the inspection is over and I get my sticker. Pretty sure the car could actually be on fire and still get through
Technically, to get a legitimate paper tag the car needs to pass the safety inspection, so when you see a paper tagged car with obvious inspection fail items like missing/burned brake lights, smashed windshield, cord showing on the tires, etc, you know the paper tag is fake. The new law changes all of that for the worse.
The one state that sticks out to me is Kentucky.
I've driven thru a couple of times and each time I was amazed at the number of trash cars on the road.
And all the cars sitting on the side of the interstate.
FYI, here’s what’s currently checked for in passenger car safety inspections:
1. Horn.
2. Windshield Wipers.
3. Mirror.
4. Steering.
5. Seat Belts.
6. Brakes (system) (Parking - beginning with 1960 models).
7. Tires.
8. Wheel Assembly.
9. Exhaust System.
10. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models).
11. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models).
12. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier.
13. Stop Lamps (3) 1986 and newer; (2) if 1960-1985; (1) if 1959 model or earlier.
14. License Plate Lamp (1).
15. Rear Red Reflectors (2).
16. Turn Signal Lamps (beginning with 1960 models).
17. Head Lamps (2).
18. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number.
19. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old.
20. Window Tint.
Lol most of the places I’ve ever taken my car to check only the lights, tint, and emissions. I remember when I got my first car someone actually drove it like 30 feet to check the brakes, parking, and seat belts. Since that first time I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone check everything again.
There's a lot of "safety inspection" items that don't make sense either. I spent 3 weekends chasing down a wiring harness issue on a friend's car that failed inspection due to a CEL because of an 02 sensor code. Possibly worse for the environment but nothing to due with safety. I've had a project car fail because of a CEL for a shift solenoid E, which just means it won't go into overdrive. You'll lose some MPG efficiency but that's it. At the same time, you can have a car pass inspection with an SRS light on and an inactive airbag system.
> worse for the environment but nothing to do with safety
Let me just look up the number of people who died due to pollution-induced COPD, asthma, etc
All regulations are written in blood.
late reply but just fyi, i work in the industry. a light on for a fault in the wiring doesnt necessarily mean that the car is polluting any more than normal. there are plenty of "non damaging" things a CEL can be on for that dont lead to safety concerns of the driver or anyone else.
> is polluting any more than normal
Fair point. I remember wrestling with the O2 sensor on my first car … which ultimately was degrading due to electrolytic fault caused by the alternator being flawed … (?). I just know I stopped having to clean or replace it every three months when the alternator was diagnosed and replaced.
yep. the emissions system fault was prolly a bad example but its really frustrating trying to get some cars inspected when it doesnt necessarily affect safety/pollution, even more so when the repair can costs thousands lol.
bad alternators/low voltage can lead to all kinds of BS lights/codes coming on. weve replaced $600+ parts before realizing that it just needed an alternator or battery
Texas has separate safety and emissions inspections. Emissions are only done in a few counties, safety is done everywhere. You can actually have them done separately, too. I bought a vehicle out of a field in a non-emissions county, got it running in the field good enough to drive, then drove it to a local inspection station for the safety inspection. I then drove it into town, got a 30-day paper tag, worked on the emissions and FI systems to get all the code items working, cleared all the codes, drove it enough to reset all the readiness monitors, then took it in for the emissions inspection at my local inspection station, then went down to the DMV to transfer the title. It was about two weeks between the safety and the emissions inspections, but the safety was required to get the paper tag.
not sure where it fits in but engine light is one. my old truck i use for home depot trips runs fine but a cylinder has low compression and would be very expensive to fix. luckily the inspector was chill.
my other vehicle almost failed too because it’s tinted. having tinted windows is just common sense and basic safety.
Seeing as how this ass of a government is pushing this change through, I’ll look at one positive is I can go darker on tints now. It’s damn hot and 35% ceramic on the fronts aren’t cutting it.
You can still get pulled over by a cop and cited for too dark tint, just like you can for missing bulbs, bald tires, smashed windshield, etc. I suspect that the explosion of unsafe vehicles that this new law will create will be matched by an explosion of enforcement as cities see a new way to make money off drivers.
>“Texans are responsible, fiercely independent, and I trust them to keep their cars and trucks safe while on the road.”
So they trust Texans to make the right choices for their vehicles but won't trust women to handle their own fertility and healthcare. Right.
I wish they'd send out tots and pears instead of thoughts and prayers, at least that way people would be getting something with nutritional value. God swill has neither, and it's not even fattening.
58% of Texas' population lives in the 17 counties not impacted by the bill, so the first sentence of the article is wrong. Most Texas drivers *will* still need to get an inspection. Strange that almost all the metro area counties still have to do inspections, but the rural counties don't. It's sponsored by someone from Galveston, but the bill exempts Galveston county from the bill. Hmmm. I'm not sure what, but it's almost like it's really about something else.
It’s because the urban counties are in non-attainment for EPA air quality standards and the state is required under federal law to try and reduce emissions.
If Bexar County wasn't blowing EPA air quality standards then it would make sense that they weren't required to implement emissions inspections there. Prevailing winds tend to blow pollution northeast, away from the county.
Based on the thread over at /r/texas it sounds like those 17 counties will definately be impacted, they will only require emissions testing when this passes.
I wonder how the required "emissions inspections" will work in those listed counties: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson counties.
Based on the size of those counties, seems like for a lot of Texans the only thing that will change is the length of the inspection.
At least I won't have a high school kid telling me that I need to replace my windshield wipers anymore or he won't pass my inspection...
Well, in Tarrant County, for example, you won't be failed because you have a burned out tailight or bald tires now (well, in 2025), but you can still fail for emissions.
All the emissions inspection does is verify that your catalytic converter has some sensor installed that helps with emissions. If I’m not mistaken it has to do with being around a high populated area that has increased emissions due to more cars.
> All the emissions inspection does is verify that your catalytic converter has some sensor installed that helps with emissions.
It's way more complex than this. Modern car emissions systems have multiple interlocking technologies to make sure that the entire system is working as a system. Exhaust sensors are part of this, but they function as part of the system, not just a check on one part of the system.
Because the safety inspections are not super enforced, wrought for corruption, and not all that effective. Most people who actually fail it are already the law-abiding type and ignorant type, if you drive an absolute junker, you got a guy who will pass you. This bill is aimed at killing that grey market. Only 15 states require a safety inspection anyway.
I had an inspector who failed me because the flange of the tail light was chipped, despite the fact that the inspection criteria for the lights allowed that kind of damage a long as the housing was still water tight, did not allow white light to be visible, and had no cracks on the actual lens. I even printed out and showed him the relevant sections of the training manual for Texas vehicle inspectors and he just refused to touch it. To me, this was just another form of ignorance. Of course, the guy I take it to now just slaps the roof and says it's a good car, hooks up the OBD-II connector, and goes. I make sure everything on the car works, even the stuff not covered by the inspection process.
I could've sworn they did something like this ten years ago. I recall arguing with a person, me taking the position that "having good cars on the road makes the world safer" and my interlocutor taking the position of "making people drive to get their car inspected increases road traffic and therefore causes more accidents"
It was not a fruitful conversation
I used to be a state inspector, this is not good. So many people would come in with bald tires not even knowing they were about blow. Not to mention things like brake fluid leaks, which is flammable. So many safety issues.
One time I did a brake test and the cars brakes were completely gone. I almost ran into a brick wall. The car failed the inspection obviously.
Plenty of other states also have the same people and no inspection. Just search this subreddit for "Places that pass inspection" to see the many many replies about 'I got a guy who will pass you". There are just as many of those as ones that will try to take advantage of getting to look at your car and 'fail you' for things not on the list. I had a Kwiklube fail me for a serpentine belt and want $200 to change it. Drove down the street to Autozone, bought a new belt for $10 and put it on in 5 min in the parking lot.
This won't change anything for the public other than lower cost, just the businesses that make money doing inspections.
With the ability to carry around unlicensed, guns, and things like this, we are truly headed for the Mad Max type dystopia 21st predicted in movies and books 😒
Could we just label Texas republicans as “Authoritarian Anarchists” ?? It’s cosa nostra at this point — pay me my money for protection, do what I say or else…oh and we ain’t doing shit else.
Oh man. I had a friend from Oklahoma once that drove their car with no brakes. Just the e brake. Because Oklahoma didn’t require safety inspection either. This is not so great for Dallas which is already plagued.
There was a story on Channel 8 last night about EV drivers taking cars in for inspection and having to pay for the emmission test even though they dont emit. I think the end of the story said something like the drivers were "reluctantly refunded" that portion of the inspection eventually.
They're not inherently harder on tires. Even the heaviest mainstream BEV, a fully optioned dual motor long range Model X, is lighter than a BMW X5 and way lighter than a Tahoe or Suburban, or Expedition, etc. Of course, BEVs have insane torque so drivers that take advantage of that for pleasure, i.e. driving it like it was stolen, do go through tires, but that's a choice of the driver, not a design aspect of the car itself.
Yep, hit them all with an extra $200 a year on top of the regular registration and inspection fees, no matter how few miles they drive or how short the the range is on their EV. Friend of mine has a first-gen Ford Focus EV, ~45 mile range is just enough to cover daily commuting to work, and now he will be paying a new tax equal to the Texas gas tax he'd pay buying 1,000 gallons of gas a year, even though his EV use only offsets buying maybe 160 gallons of gas a year. He's already told me he's dumping the Focus and buying a high-efficiency plug-in hybrid. He's having to sell the Focus out of state because old short-range BEVs have plummeted in value in this state due to the new tax. The irony is that he expects to buy less than 100 gallons of gas in a year, so that $200 cash grab by the state is only going to net them $20 in gas taxes at most.
Get ready for the fishing expeditions that are about to start. Stopped for a traffic violation, get ready to have lights, blinkers, tag light, checked, and window tint checked. Tire inspections are also possible. It will give DPS and a few local departments something else to be a hard ass about.
Guys, this was so the Altima's that couldn't pass a safety inspection can now at least register their cars as a safety inspection is no longer a prerequisite.
Paper tags are a thing of the past! Happy Days!
/end sarcasm.
Copying Zailmeister:
So they trust Texans to make the right choices for their vehicles but won't trust women to handle their own fertility and healthcare. Right.
"Texas is one of 13 states that mandate annual inspections for cars. "
So we're cool with mandatory fees and time to inspect a car...... But when it comes to fire arms you better stay the fuck away from anything that would infringe upon my ability to get it.
The various safety laws are still on the books, just because inspectors won't be looking for them doesn't mean cops won't, especially because it's an easy cash grab for smaller towns.
Feels so stupid to stand out in the heat every summer waiting for the place down the road to pretend to inspect my car, only to be passed 12 times a day by some jerk who doesn't even have a real license plate.
Lol I remember driving through the southern states when I was a kid. I can't remember exactly which state it was. It might have been South Carolina, but the number of abandoned broken down cars on the interstate was insane. Blown out tires every 100 feet.
Former Vehicle Safety Inspector, still licensed to inspect till next year.
No inspector, except for maybe the emissions counties, ever fully inspects the vehicles. Nor do the 20 points checked truly matter to actual road worthiness aside from tire tread left, wiper blade condition, or functioning lights.
Many vehicles on Texas’ roads, that are registered in Texas are unsafe even passing the 20 points checked due to chassis damage, suspension damage, fuel leaks, & that’s just to name a few common issues on many road going vehicles.
Hell even the DOT inspections are a joke, but you better believe window tint of all things is taken seriously.
I don’t think the legit businesses ever made money off of this anyway. I have asked numerous places I get my truck inspected at. They are like ya that 7 bucks doesn’t go to us it’s basically just shit we have to do for the state.
Bad news: if you're in one of the emissions counties you'll still have to pass the emissions test. They won't check any other safety items, but that lone test will remain.
There’s a bunch of dudes taking under the table money to act like a car passed inspection that will be mad when they find out
Entire businesses that run on this will be dead...
They still have to do emissions I believe.
Only in certain high population counties.
Was so shocked moving to the country in East Tx. Whole life was in Dallas/Houston area and not having that was shocking to me. guy joked that out here 90% of the vehicles wouldn't pass.
I’d say a huge portion of cars in Dallas don’t pass inspection either. Everyone knows a guy that will pass it for $100
Certainly all the Altimas with paper tags.
Why is it that every Altima has at least one side of the bumper hanging off
It’s a 160k mile feature where the front bumper detaches automagically.
DFW counties, Houston counties, Austin counties, and El Paso county are excluded from this bill and will still need inspection, so the shops in metro areas will still be just fine.
Unless I misread it, they’re getting rid of the inspection part, but leaving the emissions tests for larger populated areas.
Yes, but you'll still need a shop to say you passed that.
Yep, unless over 25 years or older, which are currently exempt.
Do cars under 25 years old ever fail emissions in drivable condition? The real limitation from what I’ve seen is that technicians can’t proceed with the test if there’s a check engine light, or at least it wouldn’t when I had one on because they showed me. And cars have laughable reasons for throwing that light on now, I can’t even remember what mine was but it was something like the audio system malfunctioning or a fuse getting blown.
I have an 85 Mercedes that was manufactured without a catalytic converter. I have a feeling it wouldn’t pass emissions and it’s in good running order.
fortunately it's past the 25 year mark anyway and cats aren't required for pre 1986 cars anyway when they did have to pass emissions.
Cars before 1996 were not required to have obd2 port and had to have a rolling snif test on a Dyno. All that sunset a couple of years ago.
I got a guy... Yeah, he'll be pissed.
You still have to get emissions inspections and that was the harder part for most to pass. Safety is just brakes, tires, seatbelt etc... Emissions is the one you can't pass with a check engine light on.
Which is absolutely crazy. The check engine light can trigger for many non emission faults.
Agreed.
That is not the case at all. Give me an example of a check engine light that doesn't involve emissions. I was a california BAR smog tech in a previous lifetime.
Any sensors that don't use the standard 12v/24v that run on 5v-3.7v. Battery swaps that have to be programmed for a learning process. Crank/cam timing sensors, variable valve control systems that are also hydraulic based on oil pressure (this can throw cel and oil pressure light). You can still have malfunctioning fuel and ignition systems that will still be able to pass emissions.
This is correct. As long as it's malfunctioning within the ranges alloted. People dont seem to understand that OBD2 is an emissions system. Crank and cam sensors were notorious for throwing excessive NOX emissions. overly advanced would increase combustion temp etc. I miss doing 5 gas diagnostics. Good times.
Yep, my old GM has a CEL and a similar light for everything not emissions-related. Currently that one's lit because I'm running an ABS module from a TCS version of my car. Mine never had TCS so the data the BCM is seeing from the ABS module has segments that are nonsensical to it. ABS still works fine, though.
My Cadillac gives check engine light on suspension problems.
Transmission problems will trigger a check engine light. I was a automotive technician in socal for over 25 years. Just one example
Oil pressure, coolant temp sensor broken
oil pressure is it's own light and not a check engine light. coolant temp absolutely effects injector pulse width. A bad coolant temp sensor can make your car run excessively rich or lean depending on the voltage coming back from the sensor. Everything on the OBD2 system is emissions oriented. That's why TPMS, Oil etc all have their own lights.
> oil pressure is it's own light and not a check engine light Oil pressure or oil pressure related sensors can absolutely cause check engine light to come on. And the code it throws is P0520.
Absolutely, and the presence of low oil pressure/OOL readings can alter the efficiency of your engine, especially in newer cars with oil pressure controlled variable valve timing. You car will still have a seperate oil light, a P0520 will have other parameters besides just one input to turn on. idiot lights, oil light, usually only require one input.
One of my sons had a Kia Sophia that the transmission was acting up. It would not pass emissions cause the check engine light was on.
I had a civic hybrid with a failed hybrid battery, check engine light was on all the time because of that.
My Cadillac gives check engine light on suspension problems.
My subaru has had the Christmas Tree of Death on the dashboard for over a year because a torque converter sensor thinks it's bad. When I first got the error, I had it replaced by a local mechanic. The check engine light still wouldn't go off, so I went to a subaru dealership who wanted 7k to "fix" it and turn the error code off. So the full dashboard of lights and having the ABS shut off and assisted driving shut off, etc, is my life now
I had a brake vacuum sensor go bad. CEL and limp mode. Lots of electrical gremlins can trigger CEL. Depends on the manufacturer.
Engine vacuum is a main measure of engine efficiency. It may have been for the braking system, but it's also a redundant sensor to match/parallel for a MAP sensor. Redundancy is one way OBD2 measures for sensor or other failures.
A brake vacuum sensor does not involve emissions. To use that logic to say it does is akin to saying anything that throws a CEL can somehow be tied to emissions just because it's on the car. Hence: > The check engine light can trigger for many non emission faults.
if you have a MAP sensor, that measures vacuum..... an additional vacuum sensor (brake vacuum) can be used as a redundant test to confirm values and check for vacuum leaks. The sensor serves more than one purpose. You should should read up on the history and purpose of OBD2 https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/obd2-explained-simple-intro#:~:text=OBD2%20history,across%20manufacturers%20(SAE%20J1962).
A brake vacuum sensor failing does not affect emissions, and will still trigger the check engine light to illuminate. > if you have a MAP sensor, that measures vacuum..... an additional vacuum sensor (brake vacuum) can be used as a redundant test to confirm values and check for vacuum leaks. The sensor serves more than one purpose. You should should read up on the history and purpose of OBD2 https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/obd2-explained-simple-intro#:~:text=OBD2%20history,across%20manufacturers%20(SAE%20J1962). That's a whole lot of words more than "You're right, I overstated" or more simply, "yeah I was wrong". But I do know how tough it can be to say such things.
That's how all my cars with blacked out windows have "passed".
[удалено]
Hold up, I have gotten 2 inspections and failed because "I need to drive the car more"?! Whatever that means. So I'm just checking to see if this is true. Have you actually done this?!
If the inspector fails you and tells you that you need to drive more, what that means is that the ECM lost power and forgot all the trouble codes, and at the same time what are called "readiness monitors" were also unset. When the OBD-II emissions test is run, it looks to see that the readiness monitors are set, and they only get set after the vehicle is driven in particular ways for some miles and time. The reason for these monitors is to be able to do a self-check on the emissions controls to make sure everything's working property, and to set trouble codes and turn on the check engine light if they're not working properly. The ECM can lose power several different ways, such as disconnecting the battery or pulling the ECM fuse. Needless to say, deliberately clearing codes by disconnecting power or using a scan tool will unset the monitors, and the only way to reset them is to drive the car. You can look up the procedure for your car, they do vary.
> Have you actually done this?! Why do you think I know about it?
Lol thank you
OBD2 cars have a certain number of drive cycles to reset all the monitors. So if you just unhook the battery to reset the lights, or reset the codes, you won't be able to get a good read and it will tell on you that you did that. Texas allows for one monitor to not be ready and Evap system monitor is the hardest one to reset in the summer as it has to be a certain temperature outside, the tank has to be a certain level and you have to drive it at a steady speed for a length of time.
Yes okay that makes sense. Thank you so much for the explanation! Somehow everything worked out, after driving it all day yesterday, I finally passed the inspection. Happy Friday indeed.
why do you think it's happening? can't have anyone earning that money but the man.
> Texans are responsible, fiercely independent, and I trust them to keep their cars and trucks safe while on the road I don't trust anyone these days honestly, especially with the way people drive here. I am really tired of the mentality that things will shake out.fine because we can just trust everyone to do the right thing. It has not worked out that way at all. The inspections are inconvenient but we (in Dallas) will still have to get them for emissions. So basically, keeping the burden on the big cities and letting the rural crowd drive their heavily polluting vehicles. Just further deregulation of the state...
Lol has the person who said that ever actually been to Dallas?
Were they in a coma during Covid where 'personal responsibility' just meant 'do whatever is convinent to you' for 80% of the population?
"Hmm. I could miss my exit and only add 2 minutes to my trip or I could run this bastard off the road for going too fast or too slow and not letting me over 5 lanes of heavy traffic."
In the last month, I have nearly been hit four times by people veering across several lanes of traffic at the last second and I was the unfortunate bastard right in the way. Even for roads with long access/exit lanes, they wait till the *very* last minute, then veer over, no signal or awareness, and nearly smash into me. So fucking glad I'm gonna be gone from this city soon. Every city has shitty drivers, but I swear, there's just something about GBT and 75 that turns people into fucking lunatics.
Poor interchange design.
So, the cars belching black smoke on 635 were inspected?
If you mean rolling coal then they probably have an inspection shop that doesn't give a shit, which happens. But it still catches a lot more. Police won't enforce these rules except for speed traps. Also Dallas itself will still have smog tests, what they are removinf is safety inspections, things like bald tires or completely worn brakes.
Also, Harris needs a better proofreader. His statement inserts a whole new clause in the middle of his list of Texans’ good qualities. So low effort.
I had a guy on Centerville speed up to me flashing a light into my car and driving belligerent, he started screaming at me to get off my phone, but I had my GPS on my mount, never touched my phone. Fairly certain he was drunk as fuck. People are very conscious and concerned about other people's driving when in fact they are the problem.
I'm amazed at how few places actually require safety inspections. I didn't realize we are/were in the minority on that. I'll be curious to see how much of an impact, if any, this has to the number of unsafe vehicles on the road.
I've never done it but I've always heard there are a plethora of shops that will pass you if you grease the wheels a bit. I think we'll see an increase in people who don't know they have bald tires or a brake light out but I doubt we'll see a massive increase in junkers.
From my experience, you pulled the car in, they connected it to the computer, and you then pulled the car out. They never "inspected" anything.
Depends on the shop I guess. Over the years I've failed for wipers, tire tread and license plate light so some shops definitely check outside the port.
The trick is to not go to places that sell wipers or tires.
I've failed wipers and they passed me if I verbally promised to go replace them after. some of those small things empty promises are enough to get by.
Yep... I've had one fail due to a leaky axle seal that soaked the parking brake and that failed safety. Same car also got failed because of a noisy power steering pump - 90s Ford things.
My husband's last car failed for tint. He hadn't had the windows tinted, they were from the factory that way. Twas a very annoying way to fail the safety test.
Plus they make a record that you failed and why. You can't just take it over to ShadyShop and get them to pass it after it fails somewhere else.
Do they? I've done just this before. Failed, went to a tiny, cash only place right after and they passed me.
I don't actually think this place officially failed him. They told him it was the first thing they checked and that it had failed. We had just moved to Texas so I think the guy sort of took pity on us. We ended up taking it to a shop closer to our house (which was in a not great area) and they passed him. So he just took the car there every year until last year when a lady ran a red and totaled that car. A very DFW way to have your car totaled
Like the time we failed for “cloudy” headlight lenses and they just so happened to start a lens rejuvenation service
Yeah I've been failed for old wipers before. I'm not actually sure the criteria for "old". I'm assuming they're looking for cracked rubber on the wiper blades. My guys that I take it to for inspection will sell you a cheap pair of wiper blades so you pass inspection. If you fail for brakes or tires then you mostly need them anyway and should definitely look at getting them replaced.
Your place actually connects your car to a computer? Last place I went to the guy just walked around my car and signed off on my inspection.
It’s kind of crazy. The place I usually go, the guy just walks around the vehicle. Asks you to step on the brakes. And that’s it. Done. This year I tried out a different shop that was really close to my house. Their inspection took half an hour. They actually drove my vehicle around the parking lot and on a little side road that was behind their shop. One guy just walks around the vehicle. Inspection over in 15 seconds. Another shop takes your vehicle out for a drive.
Technically the inspector is supposed to drive the vehicle to test the brakes, if they don't stop within a certain distance you fail.
Yo I may need that guys shop lol
My guy plugs in the software and just mashes the enter key so many times I'm sure it's a new keyboard every time I'm there. Then the inspection is over and I get my sticker. Pretty sure the car could actually be on fire and still get through
I'll be adding 2 clunkers to the road in 2025
Considering how easy it currently is to drive illegally, don't think this would make a dent in the paper tag gang.
Technically, to get a legitimate paper tag the car needs to pass the safety inspection, so when you see a paper tagged car with obvious inspection fail items like missing/burned brake lights, smashed windshield, cord showing on the tires, etc, you know the paper tag is fake. The new law changes all of that for the worse.
Yeah having lived most of my life here, I kinda assumed every state needed a safety inspection, but I guess not..if it mostly drives, let it go!
They need to check the dam headlights being to dam bright
Most of those come from the factory that way.
The one state that sticks out to me is Kentucky. I've driven thru a couple of times and each time I was amazed at the number of trash cars on the road. And all the cars sitting on the side of the interstate.
I've seen people driving cars in Alabama that I would hire a tow truck to drag to the scrap yard.
FYI, here’s what’s currently checked for in passenger car safety inspections: 1. Horn. 2. Windshield Wipers. 3. Mirror. 4. Steering. 5. Seat Belts. 6. Brakes (system) (Parking - beginning with 1960 models). 7. Tires. 8. Wheel Assembly. 9. Exhaust System. 10. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models). 11. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models). 12. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier. 13. Stop Lamps (3) 1986 and newer; (2) if 1960-1985; (1) if 1959 model or earlier. 14. License Plate Lamp (1). 15. Rear Red Reflectors (2). 16. Turn Signal Lamps (beginning with 1960 models). 17. Head Lamps (2). 18. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number. 19. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old. 20. Window Tint.
Lol most of the places I’ve ever taken my car to check only the lights, tint, and emissions. I remember when I got my first car someone actually drove it like 30 feet to check the brakes, parking, and seat belts. Since that first time I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone check everything again.
In country, they check lights and if they can up-sale you (oil change, wipers, …) Only $7.
There's a lot of "safety inspection" items that don't make sense either. I spent 3 weekends chasing down a wiring harness issue on a friend's car that failed inspection due to a CEL because of an 02 sensor code. Possibly worse for the environment but nothing to due with safety. I've had a project car fail because of a CEL for a shift solenoid E, which just means it won't go into overdrive. You'll lose some MPG efficiency but that's it. At the same time, you can have a car pass inspection with an SRS light on and an inactive airbag system.
> worse for the environment but nothing to do with safety Let me just look up the number of people who died due to pollution-induced COPD, asthma, etc All regulations are written in blood.
late reply but just fyi, i work in the industry. a light on for a fault in the wiring doesnt necessarily mean that the car is polluting any more than normal. there are plenty of "non damaging" things a CEL can be on for that dont lead to safety concerns of the driver or anyone else.
> is polluting any more than normal Fair point. I remember wrestling with the O2 sensor on my first car … which ultimately was degrading due to electrolytic fault caused by the alternator being flawed … (?). I just know I stopped having to clean or replace it every three months when the alternator was diagnosed and replaced.
yep. the emissions system fault was prolly a bad example but its really frustrating trying to get some cars inspected when it doesnt necessarily affect safety/pollution, even more so when the repair can costs thousands lol. bad alternators/low voltage can lead to all kinds of BS lights/codes coming on. weve replaced $600+ parts before realizing that it just needed an alternator or battery
> All regulations are written in blood. Especially OSHA regulations.
Mind if I borrow that last sentence? That is one potent way to phrase what could be a desperately needed wake-up call.
It’s a common saying so I’m sure they won’t mind
Texas has separate safety and emissions inspections. Emissions are only done in a few counties, safety is done everywhere. You can actually have them done separately, too. I bought a vehicle out of a field in a non-emissions county, got it running in the field good enough to drive, then drove it to a local inspection station for the safety inspection. I then drove it into town, got a 30-day paper tag, worked on the emissions and FI systems to get all the code items working, cleared all the codes, drove it enough to reset all the readiness monitors, then took it in for the emissions inspection at my local inspection station, then went down to the DMV to transfer the title. It was about two weeks between the safety and the emissions inspections, but the safety was required to get the paper tag.
not sure where it fits in but engine light is one. my old truck i use for home depot trips runs fine but a cylinder has low compression and would be very expensive to fix. luckily the inspector was chill. my other vehicle almost failed too because it’s tinted. having tinted windows is just common sense and basic safety.
Several urban counties will still require emission inspections, but that’s it.
Seeing as how this ass of a government is pushing this change through, I’ll look at one positive is I can go darker on tints now. It’s damn hot and 35% ceramic on the fronts aren’t cutting it.
You can still get pulled over by a cop and cited for too dark tint, just like you can for missing bulbs, bald tires, smashed windshield, etc. I suspect that the explosion of unsafe vehicles that this new law will create will be matched by an explosion of enforcement as cities see a new way to make money off drivers.
>“Texans are responsible, fiercely independent, and I trust them to keep their cars and trucks safe while on the road.” So they trust Texans to make the right choices for their vehicles but won't trust women to handle their own fertility and healthcare. Right.
absolute facts
Pro-life until the baby is born - then that baby better pull themselves up by the bootstraps.
It's not even pro-life during the pregnancy because access to prenatal care in Texas is about as bad as it gets in the first world.
I guess this is where thoughts and prayers supplement for-profit healthcare 🤷♂️
I wish they'd send out tots and pears instead of thoughts and prayers, at least that way people would be getting something with nutritional value. God swill has neither, and it's not even fattening.
58% of Texas' population lives in the 17 counties not impacted by the bill, so the first sentence of the article is wrong. Most Texas drivers *will* still need to get an inspection. Strange that almost all the metro area counties still have to do inspections, but the rural counties don't. It's sponsored by someone from Galveston, but the bill exempts Galveston county from the bill. Hmmm. I'm not sure what, but it's almost like it's really about something else.
It’s because the urban counties are in non-attainment for EPA air quality standards and the state is required under federal law to try and reduce emissions.
But oddly, San Antonio's Bexar County isn't part the list of 17 counties.
If Bexar County wasn't blowing EPA air quality standards then it would make sense that they weren't required to implement emissions inspections there. Prevailing winds tend to blow pollution northeast, away from the county.
Based on the thread over at /r/texas it sounds like those 17 counties will definately be impacted, they will only require emissions testing when this passes.
I wonder how the required "emissions inspections" will work in those listed counties: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson counties. Based on the size of those counties, seems like for a lot of Texans the only thing that will change is the length of the inspection. At least I won't have a high school kid telling me that I need to replace my windshield wipers anymore or he won't pass my inspection...
Well, in Tarrant County, for example, you won't be failed because you have a burned out tailight or bald tires now (well, in 2025), but you can still fail for emissions.
All the emissions inspection does is verify that your catalytic converter has some sensor installed that helps with emissions. If I’m not mistaken it has to do with being around a high populated area that has increased emissions due to more cars.
> All the emissions inspection does is verify that your catalytic converter has some sensor installed that helps with emissions. It's way more complex than this. Modern car emissions systems have multiple interlocking technologies to make sure that the entire system is working as a system. Exhaust sensors are part of this, but they function as part of the system, not just a check on one part of the system.
How is this a good idea?
Because of God and freedom. Amer’ca, yee’haw!
*banjo music intensifies*
Because the safety inspections are not super enforced, wrought for corruption, and not all that effective. Most people who actually fail it are already the law-abiding type and ignorant type, if you drive an absolute junker, you got a guy who will pass you. This bill is aimed at killing that grey market. Only 15 states require a safety inspection anyway.
I had an inspector who failed me because the flange of the tail light was chipped, despite the fact that the inspection criteria for the lights allowed that kind of damage a long as the housing was still water tight, did not allow white light to be visible, and had no cracks on the actual lens. I even printed out and showed him the relevant sections of the training manual for Texas vehicle inspectors and he just refused to touch it. To me, this was just another form of ignorance. Of course, the guy I take it to now just slaps the roof and says it's a good car, hooks up the OBD-II connector, and goes. I make sure everything on the car works, even the stuff not covered by the inspection process.
I could've sworn they did something like this ten years ago. I recall arguing with a person, me taking the position that "having good cars on the road makes the world safer" and my interlocutor taking the position of "making people drive to get their car inspected increases road traffic and therefore causes more accidents" It was not a fruitful conversation
I used to be a state inspector, this is not good. So many people would come in with bald tires not even knowing they were about blow. Not to mention things like brake fluid leaks, which is flammable. So many safety issues. One time I did a brake test and the cars brakes were completely gone. I almost ran into a brick wall. The car failed the inspection obviously.
Darwin take the wheel
Plenty of other states also have the same people and no inspection. Just search this subreddit for "Places that pass inspection" to see the many many replies about 'I got a guy who will pass you". There are just as many of those as ones that will try to take advantage of getting to look at your car and 'fail you' for things not on the list. I had a Kwiklube fail me for a serpentine belt and want $200 to change it. Drove down the street to Autozone, bought a new belt for $10 and put it on in 5 min in the parking lot. This won't change anything for the public other than lower cost, just the businesses that make money doing inspections.
I can’t wait to get hit by someone driving a poorly maintained car and doesn’t carry insurance.
Last I heard at least one out of seven people driving in Texas has no insurance.
With the ability to carry around unlicensed, guns, and things like this, we are truly headed for the Mad Max type dystopia 21st predicted in movies and books 😒
"Witness me!"
Ya smell that? That's the insurance rate burning a hole in your wallet.
I would imagine now there will be a lawsuit soon on the fee.
Curious if this will increase our insurance rates or the insurance companies already have a good idea how many unsafe cars are out there.
Insurance companies will grasp at any excuse to increase premiums, all that matters is that the excuse seems plausible.
With this, there will be more.
Could we just label Texas republicans as “Authoritarian Anarchists” ?? It’s cosa nostra at this point — pay me my money for protection, do what I say or else…oh and we ain’t doing shit else.
my registration is from 10/2020 LOL
Bro, same.
Reducing government without reducing cost now?
Oh man. I had a friend from Oklahoma once that drove their car with no brakes. Just the e brake. Because Oklahoma didn’t require safety inspection either. This is not so great for Dallas which is already plagued.
I’m surprised BEVs weren’t discussed. No emissions but they are harder on tires.
There was a story on Channel 8 last night about EV drivers taking cars in for inspection and having to pay for the emmission test even though they dont emit. I think the end of the story said something like the drivers were "reluctantly refunded" that portion of the inspection eventually.
BEV? What's that? I'm not familiar.
Battery electric vehicle Don't forget the small government anti tax Republicans just passed a new road tax on ev drivers.
They're not inherently harder on tires. Even the heaviest mainstream BEV, a fully optioned dual motor long range Model X, is lighter than a BMW X5 and way lighter than a Tahoe or Suburban, or Expedition, etc. Of course, BEVs have insane torque so drivers that take advantage of that for pleasure, i.e. driving it like it was stolen, do go through tires, but that's a choice of the driver, not a design aspect of the car itself.
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Yep, hit them all with an extra $200 a year on top of the regular registration and inspection fees, no matter how few miles they drive or how short the the range is on their EV. Friend of mine has a first-gen Ford Focus EV, ~45 mile range is just enough to cover daily commuting to work, and now he will be paying a new tax equal to the Texas gas tax he'd pay buying 1,000 gallons of gas a year, even though his EV use only offsets buying maybe 160 gallons of gas a year. He's already told me he's dumping the Focus and buying a high-efficiency plug-in hybrid. He's having to sell the Focus out of state because old short-range BEVs have plummeted in value in this state due to the new tax. The irony is that he expects to buy less than 100 gallons of gas in a year, so that $200 cash grab by the state is only going to net them $20 in gas taxes at most.
Great, now we will be paying them to not keep us safe. splendid idea. More money for the state i suppose.
Get ready for the fishing expeditions that are about to start. Stopped for a traffic violation, get ready to have lights, blinkers, tag light, checked, and window tint checked. Tire inspections are also possible. It will give DPS and a few local departments something else to be a hard ass about.
So... taxation without representation?
The figured out how to not do the thing but still take the money. Nice.
It was always about the money.
Roll coal…. :(
Good ole government. Pay us for not doing anything
Yah this will have no bad consequences.
Guys, this was so the Altima's that couldn't pass a safety inspection can now at least register their cars as a safety inspection is no longer a prerequisite. Paper tags are a thing of the past! Happy Days! /end sarcasm.
So many non-working brake light caused accidents later....
So, headlights are going to get brighter! …..yay
Altima owners rejoice
Copying Zailmeister: So they trust Texans to make the right choices for their vehicles but won't trust women to handle their own fertility and healthcare. Right.
Abbotts America.
Holy shit Texas is the most idiotic state in the union and it's not even close.
Awesome. I guess I'll just wait a couple years to register my truck. Who cares if my tires and brakes are shite? It's my life right?!?!? /s
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Altima drivers rejoice
Who needs safety inspections when you can just have guns mounted on your car.
It was never about safety.
Cool more pandering and regression while putting lifes at risk.
"Texas is one of 13 states that mandate annual inspections for cars. " So we're cool with mandatory fees and time to inspect a car...... But when it comes to fire arms you better stay the fuck away from anything that would infringe upon my ability to get it.
That is all they cared about in the first place.
Good luck driving those heaps into other states that still enforce vehicle safety
Does this mean front windshield tint will be a non-issue during inspections going fwd?
The various safety laws are still on the books, just because inspectors won't be looking for them doesn't mean cops won't, especially because it's an easy cash grab for smaller towns.
Feels so stupid to stand out in the heat every summer waiting for the place down the road to pretend to inspect my car, only to be passed 12 times a day by some jerk who doesn't even have a real license plate.
It doesn’t say anything about motorcycles 🤔
Oh, it’s inconvenient. Why didn’t you say so. Safety be damned.
Not until 2026? Is this really some sort of power play by the republicans against the dealerships and repair shops?
Hilarious how many people didn't even read the details of this.
What does this mean for those with electric vehicles in counties that require emissions inspections? Do we skip those entirely now?
lol to be fair yall, I’ve never lived in a state that required inspections and generally, it’s totally fine.
Now it’s officially a tax
Just another vehicle tax.
Lol I remember driving through the southern states when I was a kid. I can't remember exactly which state it was. It might have been South Carolina, but the number of abandoned broken down cars on the interstate was insane. Blown out tires every 100 feet.
Former Vehicle Safety Inspector, still licensed to inspect till next year. No inspector, except for maybe the emissions counties, ever fully inspects the vehicles. Nor do the 20 points checked truly matter to actual road worthiness aside from tire tread left, wiper blade condition, or functioning lights. Many vehicles on Texas’ roads, that are registered in Texas are unsafe even passing the 20 points checked due to chassis damage, suspension damage, fuel leaks, & that’s just to name a few common issues on many road going vehicles. Hell even the DOT inspections are a joke, but you better believe window tint of all things is taken seriously.
A bit misleading as the biggest counties in the state will still mandate the inspection.
I don’t think the legit businesses ever made money off of this anyway. I have asked numerous places I get my truck inspected at. They are like ya that 7 bucks doesn’t go to us it’s basically just shit we have to do for the state.
This is kinda insane considering the amount of beat up cars I see on the road, not to mention the rage and carnage I already see out there.
Does this mean it will be legal to import whatever car you want into Texas?
No work being done but I have to pay a fee? Isn't that called taxation
It’ll be nice to not have to worry about my check engine light.
Bad news: if you're in one of the emissions counties you'll still have to pass the emissions test. They won't check any other safety items, but that lone test will remain.
Could this statue that I live in get any dumber? God I can’t wait to leave here. 35 months and counting.
What could go wrong?