N.M. Code R. § 20.11.101.12

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 12, June 25, 2024

Section 20.11.101.12 - INSPECTION PROCEDURES

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.

N.M. Code R. § 20.11.101.12

11/16/93. . .12/1/95; 20.11.101.12 NMAC - Rn, 20 NMAC 11.101.I.12 & Repealed, 10/1/02; Rn, 20 NMAC 11.101.II.1, 10/1/02