Emissions Testing Change
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 344
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From: Baltimore, MD
Emissions Testing Change
Yesterday, I just received my Maryland Emissions Testing notice. Enclosed was the following "important" piece of information:
"IMPORTANT NOTICE IN JULY 2002 - The 'ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC' (OBD) test for vehicle model years 1996 and newer weighing up to 8,500 pounds will be introduced.
The OBD Test is a diagnostic check that uses a scan tool plugged into the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system through a connector under the dashboard.
The system is checked to determine if there are emission control components that are failing which may cause the vehicle's emissions to exceed allowable limits.
Make sure the OBD 'Check Engine' or similar OBD warning lights are not lit on the dashboard or the vehicle will fail the OBD test. If the light is lit, you should see your repair technician for the necessary repairs before coming in for the test.
If the vehicle has had recent repairs to the OBD system or repairs that required the battery cables to be disconnected, you should drive the vehicle in a normal manner for at least one week to reset the emissions monitors before bringing the vehicle in for the OBD Test."
Sooooo, I guess this means I gotta remove my chip before this little exam?
"IMPORTANT NOTICE IN JULY 2002 - The 'ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC' (OBD) test for vehicle model years 1996 and newer weighing up to 8,500 pounds will be introduced.
The OBD Test is a diagnostic check that uses a scan tool plugged into the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system through a connector under the dashboard.
The system is checked to determine if there are emission control components that are failing which may cause the vehicle's emissions to exceed allowable limits.
Make sure the OBD 'Check Engine' or similar OBD warning lights are not lit on the dashboard or the vehicle will fail the OBD test. If the light is lit, you should see your repair technician for the necessary repairs before coming in for the test.
If the vehicle has had recent repairs to the OBD system or repairs that required the battery cables to be disconnected, you should drive the vehicle in a normal manner for at least one week to reset the emissions monitors before bringing the vehicle in for the OBD Test."
Sooooo, I guess this means I gotta remove my chip before this little exam?
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
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From: Virginia
Hi jmartinb,
They can communicate via the OBD-II port with the Superchip attached. Depending on exactly what kind of hardware they are using, it may not pull up the vehicle's VIN#, and they will not be able to pull up any extended Ford-specific information, like when the torque converter is locking up just as an example, but that's OK.
They will be able to get the true "generic" OBD-II data that all vehicles have to be able to report (the VIN notwithstanding, that won't be picked up by many code scanners with any kind of chip present), with the Superchip attached, so I'm thinking you should be OK with it in.
Unless it's a customized program of the type that is not emissions certified, the Superchip is 50-state emissions certified. So all "standard" Superchips, the dual-octane Flip CHip programs, etc. are all emissions certified, and come with the CARB EO# and other emissions info on a white card that has the green logo on it to drop in the glove compartment. They also come with a sticker with the EO# on it as well, for those who want to attach that directly to the Superchip.
Your vehicle only has to comply with the emissions standards for the specific model year of it's production. They cannot require your vehicle to be comply with new standards that were not originally designed into the vehicle from the manufacturer; the automaker is responsible for the vehicle (when new) to be appropriately compliant & certified for compliance for all standards for it's specific model year.
Your vehicle is a 1996 or newer, so therefore it has the OBD-II compliance built right in, and they're just going to connect to it. I'd *love* to see exactly what they look at there, if you happen to get any kind of printout of what they're actually scanning for, etc., I'd be interested in seeing a copy of that.
I can't see you having any problem with any of our CARB-certified Superchips just because they want to access the OBD-II port, unless they are going to be sticklers for seeing your vehicle's VIN# pop up via OBD-II, in which case, the Superchip (and any other performance chip) might need to be removed.
It sounds to me like all they are doing is checking to see if you have any error codes present by scanning just like a dealership service department would scan for DTC's (diagnostic trouble codes), and if so, are they of a type that could affect the vehicle's emissions output.
Let us know what happens & good luck!
They can communicate via the OBD-II port with the Superchip attached. Depending on exactly what kind of hardware they are using, it may not pull up the vehicle's VIN#, and they will not be able to pull up any extended Ford-specific information, like when the torque converter is locking up just as an example, but that's OK.
They will be able to get the true "generic" OBD-II data that all vehicles have to be able to report (the VIN notwithstanding, that won't be picked up by many code scanners with any kind of chip present), with the Superchip attached, so I'm thinking you should be OK with it in.
Unless it's a customized program of the type that is not emissions certified, the Superchip is 50-state emissions certified. So all "standard" Superchips, the dual-octane Flip CHip programs, etc. are all emissions certified, and come with the CARB EO# and other emissions info on a white card that has the green logo on it to drop in the glove compartment. They also come with a sticker with the EO# on it as well, for those who want to attach that directly to the Superchip.
Your vehicle only has to comply with the emissions standards for the specific model year of it's production. They cannot require your vehicle to be comply with new standards that were not originally designed into the vehicle from the manufacturer; the automaker is responsible for the vehicle (when new) to be appropriately compliant & certified for compliance for all standards for it's specific model year.
Your vehicle is a 1996 or newer, so therefore it has the OBD-II compliance built right in, and they're just going to connect to it. I'd *love* to see exactly what they look at there, if you happen to get any kind of printout of what they're actually scanning for, etc., I'd be interested in seeing a copy of that.
I can't see you having any problem with any of our CARB-certified Superchips just because they want to access the OBD-II port, unless they are going to be sticklers for seeing your vehicle's VIN# pop up via OBD-II, in which case, the Superchip (and any other performance chip) might need to be removed.
It sounds to me like all they are doing is checking to see if you have any error codes present by scanning just like a dealership service department would scan for DTC's (diagnostic trouble codes), and if so, are they of a type that could affect the vehicle's emissions output.
Let us know what happens & good luck!
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 344
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From: Baltimore, MD
Great info, Mike.
Mike-
As always, you are great in supplying a lot of valuable feedback. Thanks!
For the first time through this new test, I will probably remove the chip. I don't think it would be good for me to get up there, have a problem, and ask them to wait while I reset everything!
When I get emissions complete, I'll be sure to post the information back to this thread. It may be a sign for things to come in other states in the Northeast and other areas of the country where air quality is a constant problem.
Still loving the Superchip!
As always, you are great in supplying a lot of valuable feedback. Thanks!
For the first time through this new test, I will probably remove the chip. I don't think it would be good for me to get up there, have a problem, and ask them to wait while I reset everything!
When I get emissions complete, I'll be sure to post the information back to this thread. It may be a sign for things to come in other states in the Northeast and other areas of the country where air quality is a constant problem.
Still loving the Superchip!
