New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 11 - ALBUQUERQUE - BERNALILLO COUNTY AIR QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
Part 100 - MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION - DECENTRALIZED
Section 20.11.100.15 - VEHICLE INSPECTION PROCEDURES

Universal Citation: 20 NM Admin Code 20.11.100.15

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

A. [Reserved]

B. Vehicle tests:

(1) To determine if a motor vehicle is in compliance with 20.11.100 NMAC, all inspections shall be performed in strict accordance with 20.11.100 NMAC. Each vehicle shall be inspected at an air care station by an air care inspector. All items shall be tested to completion with reports of outcomes provided to the motor vehicle owner.
(a) Vehicles with an engine other than the engine originally installed by the manufacturer or an identical replacement of the engine shall be subject to the inspection procedures and standards for the chassis type, GVW and model year of the vehicle.

(b) Assembled vehicles or kit cars shall meet the standards and emissions control equipment that are required for the year of the vehicle engine. If the vehicle is assembled with a pre-1975 engine, testing is not required, but the vehicle owner shall petition the program manager for an exemption from emissions inspections.

(2) Exhaust gas emissions measurements: No emissions inspection required by 20.11.100 NMAC shall be performed unless the instrument used for measuring exhaust gases from the motor vehicle is an approved emissions analyzer.
(a) Vehicle operating condition:
(i) Prior to this portion of the inspection, the entire vehicle shall be in normal operating condition as specified by the emissions tune-up label originally installed on the vehicle. Motor vehicles equipped for simple selection of alternate fuel supplies (switching between gasoline and any compressed or liquefied gaseous fuel) shall be inspected using the fuel in use when presented for inspection.

(ii) Non-OBDII compatible vehicles (usually 1995 model year or older) subject to 20.11.100 NMAC shall be required to take and pass a preconditioned two-speed idle test as specified in Appendix B to Subpart S of 40 CFR Part 51. The test procedure shall include a first and second-chance test at both idle and at the unloaded 2,500 RPM test. If the vehicle passes both emissions tests, it shall be deemed in compliance with minimum emissions standards unless the vehicle fails the tampering inspection, pressurized gas cap test or visible emissions inspection required by 20.11.100 NMAC.

(iii) All 1996 and newer model year motor vehicles subject to 20.11.100 NMAC shall be required to take and pass an on-board diagnostic test, pressurized gas cap test and visible emissions inspection as specified in 40 CFR Part 51, Subpart S, Inspection/Maintenance Program Requirements. Certain 1996 and newer model year motor vehicles that are not OBDII compatible may be tested using the two-speed idle test as determined by the program manager.

(iv) No test shall commence if there are apparent leaks in the motor vehicle's exhaust system that will cause the exhaust analyzer to invalidate the test.

(b) Exhaust emissions inspection: The exhaust emissions inspection shall proceed as specified in 40 CFR Part 51 Appendix B to Subpart S.

(c) Selection of appropriate pass/fail emissions inspection criteria: The appropriate pass/fail criteria will be selected automatically by the approved emissions analyzer.

(3) Visual examination for tampering: The certified air care inspector shall determine specifically what emissions control devices should be in place and operable for each vehicle inspected. Specific design and equipment elements necessary in anti-tampering determinations shall only include catalytic converter(s).

(4) Visible emissions requirements: In addition to exhaust and tampering requirements of 20.11.100 NMAC, all vehicles are subject to and must pass inspection for visible emissions (smoke). Non-diesel vehicles may not emit any visible emissions (except steam) during the test as specified in Subsection C of 20.11.100.17 NMAC.

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