Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A. VPMP
Procedures Manual:
(1) The Program Manager
shall develop an official document, titled VPMP Procedures Manual, outlining in
sufficient detail the procedures necessary for a certified AIR CARE inspection
facility, a certified fleet AIR CARE station, a certified AIR CARE inspector
and a certified AIR CARE technician to comply with all applicable requirements
of this Part. Upon approval by the Board, the Program Manager shall publish the
official VPMP Procedures Manual and, within ten days of publication, provide
general notice of its availability.
(2) The procedures, details and
specifications contained in the VPMP Procedures Manual shall be a part of and
incorporated into 20.11.101 NMAC and shall be binding upon each AIR CARE
inspection facility, fleet AIR CARE station, AIR CARE inspector and AIR CARE
technician.
(3) The Procedures
Manual shall be amended as needed and required, and kept updated by the Program
Manager. Notice of amendments to the Procedures Manual shall be provided by the
Program Manager, with copies made available to the users. It is the
responsibility of each AIR CARE inspection facility and fleet AIR CARE station
to obtain and incorporate all amendments made available by the Program Manager.
Each AIR CARE inspection facility or fleet AIR CARE station shall maintain at
least one current copy of the VPMP Procedures Manual at the facility or
station.
(4) If a provision of the
Procedures Manual conflicts with a provision of this Part, the provision of
this Part will prevail.
B. Vehicle Tests:
(1) To determine if a motor vehicle is in
compliance with this Part all inspections shall be performed in strict
accordance with 20.11.101 NMAC and the VPMP Procedures Manual. Each vehicle
shall be inspected at an AIR CARE inspection facility or fleet AIR CARE station
by an AIR CARE inspector. All items shall be inspected to completion with
reports of outcomes provided to the motor vehicle owner.
(2) Vehicles with an engine other than the
engine originally installed by the manufacturer or an identical replacement of
such an engine shall be subject to the inspection procedures and standards for
the chassis type, GVW, and model year of the vehicle.
(3) Assembled vehicles or kit cars shall meet
the standards and emission control equipment requirements for the year of the
engine in the vehicle. If the vehicle is assembled with a pre-1975 engine,
testing is not required. The vehicle owner must apply for an exemption from the
Program Headquarters.
(4) Vehicles
that have been switched from an engine of one fuel type to another fuel type
that is subject to the program shall be subject to the test procedures and
standards for the current fuel type, and the requirements of Paragraph (2), of
Subsection B of 20.11.101.12 NMAC.
(5) Vehicles which are switched to a fuel
type for which there is no certified configuration shall be tested according to
the most stringent emission standards established for that vehicle type and
model year.
C. Exhaust
Gas Emissions Measurements: Emissions inspections required by this Part
[20.11.101 NMAC] shall be performed in accordance with procedures described in
40 CFR part 51. All vehicles subject to inspection shall be required to pass
the idle mode test. In addition, all 1981 and newer vehicles must pass the
loaded mode test.
(1) 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 or
as specified in the VPMP Procedures Manual. 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.
(2)
A Motor vehicle manufactured during or before the 1980 model year shall be
required to take and pass only the idle mode test as outlined in the 40 CFR
Part 51 and the VPMP Procedures Manual. The conditioning mode shall be
administered only after a vehicle has failed the idle mode test. Upon
completion of the conditioning mode, a vehicle that has failed the idle mode
test condition may be retested at idle. If the vehicle passes the second chance
test, it shall be deemed in compliance with minimum emissions standards unless
the vehicle fails the tampering or visible emissions inspection required by
20.11.101 NMAC.
(3) A motor vehicle
manufactured during or after the 1981 model year shall be required to take and
pass the idle mode test and the loaded test condition as outlined in 40 CFR
Part 51 and the VPMP Procedures Manual, except that a constant four-wheel drive
vehicle is required to take and pass an unloaded 2500 rpm test and the idle
mode test. If the vehicle passes, it is deemed in compliance with emissions
standards unless the vehicle fails the tampering or visible emissions
inspection required by 20.11.101 NMAC.
(4) No inspection shall commence if there are
apparent leaks in the motor vehicle's exhaust system that will cause the
exhaust analyzer to invalidate the inspection.
(5) Pattern failure notices issued by EPA
shall be maintained by the AIR CARE facility, fleet AIR CARE station, and AIR
CARE inspector in an up-to-date file for reference to unusual pretest
conditioning requirements.
(6)
Vehicles presented to an AIR CARE inspection facility for inspection shall not
be pre-tested by having a manual diagnostic emissions analysis or visual
examination for tampering performed prior to the beginning of the inspection.
(6) Selection of appropriate
pass/fail emissions inspection criteria shall be done by an approved
VEGAS.
D. Visual
Examination for Tampering: All vehicles are subject to and must pass a
tampering inspection. The certified AIR CARE inspector shall determine
specifically what emissions control devices should be in place and operable for
each vehicle inspected. This shall be done by consulting the emissions control
information sticker under the hood and checking a reference manual or
applications guide which states how the vehicle was equipped as manufactured
and/or certified for sale or use within the United States. Specific design and
equipment elements necessary in anti-tampering determinations shall only
include catalytic converter, air injection reaction system,
O2 sensor.
E. Visible Emission Requirements: In addition
to exhaust and tampering requirements of 20.11.101 NMAC, all vehicles are
subject to and must pass an inspection for visible emissions (smoke).
Non-diesel vehicles may not emit any continuous visible emissions for a period
greater than two consecutive seconds.
