INSPECTION GENERAL INFO BIN

The IM240 Dynamometer Test


AUTO INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR DIFFERENT STATES:

[http://www.asashop.org/legis/im/northeast.htm.]
NEW HAMPSHIRE
EPA Designation: Basic / / Areas: Statewide/ / Test Method: Visual anti-tampering inspection/ / Frequency: Annual/ / Cost to Vehicle Owner: Varies between $15-20, all kept by inspection station./ / Vehicles Affected: 1 million / / Technician Certification: No/ / Shop Certification to Perform Repairs: Yes/ / Future Plans: OBDII inspection to be added Jan. 1, 2002.
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GEORGIA: EPA Designation: Enhanced / Areas: Atlanta Metro Area: Cobb, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale / Test Method: 2-speed idle on 1992-1998, ASM 2525 on 1975-1992. / Frequency: Biennial / Cost to Vehicle Owner: $10-25 / Vehicles Affected: 2.5 million / Technician Certification: No / Shop Certification to Perform Repairs: No
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Florida: [http://www.myprimeyears.com/rv/yeaw_homebase_resources.htm ]
"No vehicle safety inspection" / $100 per vehicle charge when first registering any vehicle purchased out of state including motorhomes / Must renew drivers license in person every other renewal period
Vehicle emission inspection required in Broward, Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, Palm Beach & Pinellas counties
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[http://www.autoshop-online.com/cchtml/cl.air.im240.html ]

IM240 - Dynamometer Test

[This paragraph is quoted from something called the "Car Care Council" (whatever that is) who are obviously trying to put a good face on the IM240 Dynomometer test:]

The actual IM240 test is fully automated and begins with a trained inspector driving your vehicle onto the dynamometer. The vehicle is restrained, an exhaust collection device is fitted onto the exhaust, and a cooling fan placed in front of the engine. The inspector "drives" the vehicle, rather like "driving" a car on a video racing game, and consists of applying the accelerator and brakes according to a prescribed cycle displayed on a computerized video screen. The cleaner the car, the shorter the test. The maximum test-time is four minutes (which is where the 240 in IM240 comes from), but the average test time is about two minutes. Car owners may worry that there could be some damage to their car, but this rarely occurs. [!!! - Oh? And do you "rarely" pay for it, you swine? - R.J.] . A thorough safety inspection is made on cars prior to the test and the driving operation of the vehicle during the test is probably no more severe than what the vehicle experiences on its drive to the test location.

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OBDII is "OnBoard Diagnostic" - the car's computer is used: "OBDII is an early-warning system that monitors the vehicle's emissions control devices and other engine-related components to ensure that they are functioning properly. If an irregular condition is detected, the system notifies drivers by illuminating a malfunction indicator light (also known as the "MIL," "Check Engine Light" or "Service Engine Soon" light) on the dashboard. OBDII systems provide valuable emissions information..."
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