[JustinH]

Whats the vehicle inspection program like in Arizona, in the Phoenix metro area?

Do they sniff, or just scan for codes on a 96?

Thanks,
Justin

 

[95xbird]

I believe they sniff the car.

 

[PHXBird]

Justin, I know they scan but can't remember if they sniff too. I will find out tomorrow and post up if no one else pipes in.

 

[jnk3846]

http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/vei/tech.html

 

[Bangster]

In Tucson they just plug into the OBD-II port and check readiness and function of the SES light. I imagine Phoenix metro is the same.

They also check the gas cap.

In my experience with my 1997 Cougar, 2000 Grand Marquis, and my fathers experience with his 2000 Expedition, they don't pop the hood, they don't look under it with a mirror, nothing. BUT in the link provided above, they MIGHT do a tampering check. I have not seen them do it on an OBD-II car, but all my pre 1996 cars they check them out underhood (and they even sometimes appear to know what they are looking for, but don't), entire exhaust system, holes in cats or injection tubes, etc.

 

[PHXBird]

In Tucson they just plug into the OBD-II port and check readiness and function of the SES light. I imagine Phoenix metro is the same.
They also check the gas cap.

Yep that's it, no sniff.

 

[91CougarLS]

i had mine done about 6mnths ago. they popped the hood is all, hooked up a code reader, don't think they even checked the gas cap. i was curious why they didn't do a smog test since it says; most 2003+ cars are excluded on the sheet the dmv sent but whatever. i guess when they are swamped they dont follow the rules??? lmao

 

[StupidFly]

You planning an prolonged trip to this neck of the woods Justin?

 

[Bangster]

New cars are exempt from testing for the first 5 years. Even so, they have been doing ODB-II testing since 2001, and when I go in with my Grand Marquis or the 97 Cougar, they forget what there names are and what they are doing. If they can't tell me to put the front wheels of my 89 Cougar (groan) on the rollers and plug in a sniffer in the tail pipe they are lost. I mean all they have to do is ask me to step into the yellow box (so I can't remotely turn on and off the CEL???), plug in and turn the key to on, see the light is on, start it, see the light is off, and the computer checks for ready and CEL not commanded on.

 

[95xbird]

I almost moved to Goodyear AZ right outside of pheonix,My good friend who now lives there was telling me they smog check them like they do in California.Could be wrong though.When I was in Cali they put my car on the rollers, ran and looked for CEL's.Funny thing,my CEL was on due to a MAF and the guy told me my air/fuel was perfect.LOL

 

[Destructor90]

yes the do sniff and scan but if you get a PO box like i did in flagstaff you dont need emission's muhahaha

 

[JustinH]

yes the do sniff and scan but if you get a PO box like i did in flagstaff you dont need emission's muhahaha

You have your legal residence address sent to a po box in flag?

 

[Bangster]

Registering it in another city might work but good luck with that if you work in Tucson or Phoenix.

They are always going around to parking lots and running plates. If they run it (or know) that it is registered in an area outside the metro area, they then check to see if a emissions test is on record. If not then you get a ticket. They check for emissions compliancy, that you have changed over your plates to AZ if from another state, current, etc.

I have a 1982 F150 that I was going to register in another city because it is failing emissions. I could never drive it to work or get pulled over, even for one of its most common usages, going to the dump, they check residency since it is a county dump you have to be a resident or you pay triple to enter.

I also know people that have registered cars in other cities and never had a problem, but they didn't work in large office complexes, or do stuff to get them selves pulled over, so it all works fine for them.

 

[JustinH]

You guys don't have weekly garbage pickup?

I've heard of this in some areas but never experienced it.

Registering it in another city might work but good luck with that if you work in Tucson or Phoenix.

They are always going around to parking lots and running plates. If they run it (or know) that it is registered in an area outside the metro area, they then check to see if a emissions test is on record. If not then you get a ticket. They check for emissions compliancy, that you have changed over your plates to AZ if from another state, current, etc.

I have a 1982 F150 that I was going to register in another city because it is failing emissions. I could never drive it to work or get pulled over, even for one of its most common usages, going to the dump, they check residency since it is a county dump you have to be a resident or you pay triple to enter.

I also know people that have registered cars in other cities and never had a problem, but they didn't work in large office complexes, or do stuff to get them selves pulled over, so it all works fine for them.

 

[Bangster]

I live outside the city limits, I pay for weekly pickup, but with construction debris and spare autoparts I still need to make dump runs.

 

[Destructor90]

but even if they do that it wont matter because all my stuff for the car and drier license is set to the po box so they can screw them selfs LOL