Vehicle Emissions Inspection & Maintenance Rules & Regulations

04.05.00 TSI I/M PROGRAM04.05.01 GENERALThe Two-Speed Idle (TSI) emissions test is used in a lowenhanced inspection and maintenance (I/M) program.The analyzer certified by TCEQ during the two-speed idletest measures the tailpipe exhaust emissions of a vehiclewhile the vehicle idles at both high and low speed. Thischapter describes the procedures used by certifiedinspectors in performing the Two-Speed Idle (TSI) vehicleemissions inspection on designated vehicles where theTSI test is required.04.05.02 TSI PROTOCOLThe TSI analyzer meets BAR ʼ96 two-speed idle specificationsand tests vehicles for carbon dioxide in addition tohydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The TSI test comprisestwo phases: (1) high speed test (2200 – 2800RPMs) for the first phase of the emissions test; then, (2)tested at idle (350 – 1200 RPMs) followed by a gas capintegrity test that meets EPA-required specifications andprocedures.04.05.03 STATION REQUIREMENTS FOR TSI TEST-INGIn addition to all equipment required to perform safetyinspections, all inspection stations performing TSIemissions inspections must also have the following:1. A four-gas analyzer and gas cap tester approved bythe Texas Commission on Environmental Quality(TCEQ) appropriate for the I/M program in that county.2. Approved calibration gases for the analyzer.3. A designated telephone line dedicated solely foreach analyzer in the program.4. An adequate supply of printer supplies.5. All required analyzer manuals.6. A business arrangement with the Texas InformationManagement Systems (TIMS) contractor to obtain atelecommunications link to the Vehicle InformationDatabase (VID).Note: If the inspection station fails to pay its data linkfees to the contractor, then the analyzer will belocked out from any further inspections until theproblem is resolved.04.05.04 TESTING DATA COLLECTIONAll certified emissions inspection stations must report theresults of emissions testing, since the collection andreporting of accurate vehicle emissions testing data is ofsignificant importance to the inspection and maintenance(I/M) program.Each analyzer is allowed a certain number of off-lineinspections since occasional telephone line problemsmay occur. After restoration of the telephone link, the offlinedata will be sent to the VID. However, when the analyzerexceeds the off-line inspection limit, the analyzer willbe locked out from any further inspections until the problemis resolved. Failure to reestablish the telecommunicationslink to the VID will result in either suspension orrevocation of the inspection station license.04.10.00 CERTIFIED INSPECTORSOnly certified inspectors who have completed the DPStraining, or training approved by DPS for this program,and received certification, may perform vehicle testing.04.15.00 TSI TESTING APPLICABILITYIn the Austin and El Paso I/M program areas, the TSIemissions inspection is used for designated vehicles notoriginally equipped with OBDII, or as the default tailpipeemissions inspection in cases where an OBDII vehicle isauthorized to default to this tailpipe emissions test. Thischapter is applicable in the following counties:1. El Paso,2. Travis, and3. Williamson.TSI emissions testing must be performed on all motorvehicles in the above counties that are:1. capable of being powered by gasoline (exceptmotorcycles),2. model years 1995 and older, to and includingtwenty-four (24) years old,3. presented for annual safety inspection, or4. required by state law.Note: Examples of “required by state law” are:1. Department of Public Safety directs that a vehicle4-1