01.05.00 INTRODUCTIONThis manual provides the departmentʼs instruction to inspectionstations and inspectors for conducting the vehicle emissionsinspection in counties with vehicle emissions inspectionand maintenance (I/M) programs. This manual supplementsthe “<strong>Rules</strong> and <strong>Regulations</strong> Manual for Operation ofOfficial <strong>Vehicle</strong> <strong>Inspection</strong> Stations,” which providesinstructions for the annual safety inspection in those counties.01.10.00 PROGRAM OVERVIEW01.10.01 Purpose. The purpose of the stateʼs I/M programis to ensure compliance with the requirements ofthe Federal Clean Air Act, U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) regulations, the Texas Clean Air Act, andthe State Implementation Plan regarding vehicle emissionsin affected counties.01.10.02 Objective. The objective of the I/M program isthe reduction of air pollution from motor vehicles bymeans of various emissions inspections to determinecompliance with established emissions standards, and toensure that necessary repairs are completed.01.10.03 Goal. The goal of the I/M program is for theState of Texas to meet the National Ambient Air QualityStandard (NAAQS).01.15.00 I/M PROGRAM DESIGNThe design of the IM program is to concentrate on specificpollutants found in vehicle exhaust emissions. Those pollutantsare carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), andnitrogen oxides (NOx). It is one of many similar programs incounties across the U.S. having air quality below theNational Ambient Air Quality Standard.Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gassometimes found in urban areas in concentrations that canbe harmful to people. It is a by-product of combustion andthe automobile is the single largest source of this pollutant.Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed of hydrogenand carbon. The energy in such compounds is releasedwhen combined with oxygen during combustion. Mostengine fuels, such as gasoline, propane, methane, etc.,contain hydrocarbons and some portion remains aftercombustion. Hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides react withsunlight and warm temperatures to form ground-level ozone.Ground-level ozone, a main ingredient in smog, can causeupper respiratory problems and lung damage.Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, is the generic term for a group ofhighly reactive gases, all of which contain nitrogen and oxygenin varying amounts. Many of the nitrogen oxides are colorlessand odorless. However, one common pollutant, nitrogendioxide (NO 2 ), along with particles in the air, is oftenseen as a reddish-brown haze (smog) over many urbanareas. During combustion, high heat and pressure willcause nitrogen to combine with unused oxygen.The specific vehicle emissions test used in the I/M programarea or county focuses on the pollutant problem of the area.01.20.00 I/M PROGRAM APPLICABILITYThe I/M program is applicable in all affected counties. Theterm "affected counties" applies to all counties classified asnonattainment, where the State Implementation Plan (SIP)requires an I/M program and “participating” counties thatvoluntarily enter the program in an effort to avoid classificationas non-attainment.In this manual, the affected counties are located in thefollowing areas: Dallas/Ft Worth area (Collin, Dallas,Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, andTarrant counties), Houston/Galveston area (Brazoria, FtBend, Galveston, Harris, & Montgomery counties), El Pasoarea (El Paso County), and the Austin area (Travis andWilliamson counties).In El Paso, Travis and Williamson counties, the I/M programfocuses on the reduction of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbonemissions. In all other affected counties, the focus isthe reduction of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and oxidesof nitrogen emissions from designated vehicles.01.25.00 LAYOUT OF MANUALThis manual consists of five (5) chapters. Chapter 1 is anintroductory chapter, which explains the purpose and goalsof the program. Chapter 2 describes the AccelerationSimulation Mode 2 (ASM2) emissions test performed on1995 and older designated gasoline powered vehicles in allaffected counties except El Paso, Travis and Williamsoncounties. Chapter 3 describes the On-Board DiagnosticSecond Generation (OBDII) emissions test performed on1996 and newer designated gasoline powered vehicles in allaffected counties. Chapter 4 describes the Two Speed IdleTest (TSI), which is the type of emissions test performed onall 1995 model year and older designated vehicles in ElPaso, Travis and Williamson counties. Chapter 5 is a referencesection. Additionally, Chapter 5 contains Rule 23.93(37 TAC §23.93), which incorporates this manual into theTexas Administrative Code.1-1
01.30.00 PUBLICATION AUTHORITYThis manual is promulgated under the authority of the TexasTransportation Code, Chapter 548, the Texas Health andSafety Code, Chapter 382 (Texas Clean Air Act), and administrativerules adopted by the Department of Public Safety.01.35.00 OBLIGATION TO ADHERE TO MANUALFailure to comply with any law, rule, regulation, or provisionof this manual pertaining to vehicle emissions inspection willresult in adverse administrative action that may result in thedenial, suspension, or revocation of your inspectionauthority, and/or criminal charges when applicable.1-2
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