Description: A program designed to
periodically check vehicle emissions to ensure they are within
limits. Often referred to as an I/M (Inspection/Maintenance)
program, they are used in numerous states and areas as required by
the Environmental Protection Agency to improve air quality in those
areas. Although the requirement comes from the federal government,
states and their associated agencies have some flexibility in the
type of test used, vehicle populations to be tested and other
program-specific details. Some states run centralized programs that
have state-contracted test stations exclusively dedicated to
testing. Other states run decentralized programs, where emissions
can be tested at local repair facilities. In a few cases, states may
run “hybrid” programs using both centralized and decentralized test
stations. The latest trend is to incorporate the use of second-generation onboard diagnostics (OBDII) into these programs, in many cases altogether eliminating the need for tailpipe emissions tests.
Purpose:
I/M programs
evaluate the emissions from vehicles and single out
those that are polluting beyond the limits established for certain
model years of vehicles. Aside from identifying vehicles with high emissions,
such programs advocate proper maintenance to prevent high emissions due to
maintenance neglect.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:
The best way to keep
your vehicle environmentally friendly is by performing regularly scheduled maintenance, rather
than waiting to correct a problem after your car fails an
emissions test. If the SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE light
appears, have it checked out immediately by
a professional technician. Neglecting these warning signs can cause lead
to more extensive and expensive repairs.
