Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Southeast So TN has emissions tests?

This is terrible news, maybe. Will they inspect the car or just monitor the exhaust or what? Am I screwed with my MIL's? I can keep registering it through my parent's address in Indiana. Plates are pricey in Indiana though.

MIL's will break right off in your ass. My tags expired last September. I guess it's good my car's been down for 4-5 months recently. Keep the IN plates.

I had no idea? I live in Knoxville, and haven't heard anything about it.

This stinks... I used to live in Chattanooga and the lack of income tax and inspections was always a nice thing, except some MAJOR clunkers around (like my old 1976 Mercury Marquis - 460 CID!!).

Mostly the reason for inspections is so the government has more money for politicians to have Mercedes and big houses rather than environmental reasons... I digress...

Here in N.C. they just changed things such that if your car is OBD-II or better equipped, they dont even do the smog tailpipe test. They just plug in and analyze the computer. No codes, the o2 sensors are happy, everything must be clean, right? Also, some counties may not have the same requirements as others (like it was a few years ago in NC). You may be able to go to a different county and get it done.

Even if you do have a smog test, dont worry. I would venture to say the computer in the SVT gets you such a complete fuel burn that emissions will probably be fine without any cats. Your big issue is to make sure the check engine light is off and not to get the car inspected when cold. Make sure its good and warmed up. A large percentage of your emissions are created at startup on a cold engine. EGR moves the hot gases back into the engine to warm it up faster and recycle any unspent fuel. Also, warm cats tend to work better than cold ones in burning up any unspent fuel.

Engine computers are getting so good now, that im sure in the near future, cars wont even need cats since they are getting near 100% fuel burn in the combustion chambers. We may be stuck with them forever just because it's a government requirement, however.

Check out the link, if you live in Knoxville (KNox county) dont stress, it looks like only certain counties gotta do it. But beware, where there is one, the rest are sure to follow... cause the politicians see the income potential

TN SMOG Stuff
Memphis FAQ Sheet

Also, look at the exerpt I copied forom the following link:

Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson or Wilson County Rules

**Effective July 1, 2002, 1996 and newer model vehicles will undergo an Onboard Diagnostics test, and a gas cap leak check instead of the traditional tailpipe and tampering test.

So with the MIL's I shouldn't even think about attempting to pass? Great, people are going to think I'm a tourist.

You've got the right idea. And don't try unplugging the battery to reset the computer; they scan the computer. If you reset it and drive straight to the testing center, the sensors won't be set yet; which the OBDII scanner sees and fails you. Believe me, I tried that.

Eric, you get your car to pass yet?? If not, I have a solution for you.

I've had my FL plates/license since moving to Memphis a year and a half ago... No biggie.