When will the North Carolina Emissions testing program begin for OBD II vehicles?

My county has never had tailpipe emissions testing and will soon begin emissions testing on OBD II vehicles.  A salesperson from another company tells me that we are listed as a “dirty county” and the State will also require tailpipe testing on 1995 and older cars.  Is this true?

What does a certified NCAS system include?

Can the computer system that came as part of my EASE Stand-alone OBD II testing package be used for anything besides emission testing.

How do I know if my NCAS system will communicate with CAN?

I hear people talking about wireless communications.  What’s that all about?

How can I get a demonstration of the EASE NCAS system?

When will the North Carolina Emissions testing program begin for OBD II vehicles?

OBD II testing on 1996 and newer vehicles began in September, 2002 in the following

Phase I counties:  Cabarrus, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Orange, Union and Wake. 

Prior to that date, emissions tests on vehicles in these counties were performed with tailpipe testing equipment.  After the start of OBD II testing, tailpipe testing equipment can no longer be used on 1996 and newer vehicles.  

Starting on July 1, 2003 and every six months until January 1, 2006 new counties must begin OBD II Emissions testing according to the following schedule:

Phase II            July 1, 2003 - Catawba, Cumberland, Davidson, Iredell, Johnston and Rowan
Phase III            Jan. 1, 2004 - Alamance, Chatham, Franklin, Lee, Lincoln, Moore, Randolph and Stanly
Phase IV            July 1, 2004 - Buncombe, Cleveland, Granville, Harnett and Rockingham
Phase V            Jan. 1, 2005 - Edgecombe, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt, Robeson, Wayne and Wilson
Phase VI            July 1, 2005 - Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Rutherford, Stokes, Surry and Wilkes
Phase VII            Jan. 1, 2006 - Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, New Hanover and Onslow

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My county has never had tailpipe emissions testing and will soon begin emissions testing on OBD II vehicles.  A salesperson from another company tells me that we are listed as a “dirty county” and the State will also require tailpipe testing on 1995 and older cars.  Is this true?

No, it is not true.  In all Phase II through Phase VII counties adding emissions testing, the only type of emissions testing to be performed is OBD II testing on 1996 and newer cars.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has accepted North Carolina’s emissions plan that does not include tailpipe testing in the newly added counties, and the North Carolina State Legislature has signed it into law. (House Bill 969)

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In accordance with North Carolina statutes (House Bill 969), tailpipe emissions testing will continue on 1975 through 1995 vehicles until January 1, 2006 in Phase I Counties Only.  In addition, all 1996 and newer vehicles will require OBD II emissions tests in these counties.  The use of tailpipe testing equipment on 1996 and newer vehicles is not permitted.

Phase II through Phase VII counties will be required to perform emissions tests on 1996 and newer OBD II vehicles through the vehicle’s OBD II connector only.  After January 1, 2006, the only vehicles requiring emissions testing will be 1996 and newer OBD II vehicles, regardless of the county and tailpipe testing will be eliminated in Phase I counties.

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What does a certified NCAS system include?

In order to be certified, an NCAS system must include a complete computer system, bar code scanner, printer, and hardware and software necessary to perform OBD II testing according to North Carolina’s specifications.  To be certified, all components and software must undergo testing by the State to insure that these specifications are met. 

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EASE can offer software updates via the web, but only with software that has been certified by the State.   Section 1.10 Software Modifications in the NCAS Specification states “The analyzer manufacturers shall notify the State in writing if they wish to make a software update, and provide an implementation schedule, submit an affidavit signed by the chief executive officer or company president stating that the software update complies with applicable State Specifications, obtain written State approval prior to use of the software update in official State Inspections, and install the correct software version number so that it is recorded to the test record and printed on each VIRS.”   Since the process of having software changes approved by the State is time consuming, it is impossible to make a claim of “24 hour” updates unless the software sent out is not certified.

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Providing software updates without prior State approval can lead to revocation of certification.  Section 7.82 - Manufacturer’s Certifications states “Manufacturer’s NCAS certifications will not be renewed, or may be conditionally revoked, if the State determines that an analyzer does not fully comply with all portions of the analyzer specifications…..”   Any manufacturer that is promising 24 hour software updates to correct problems is jeopardizing their certification, and also jeopardizing you by not adhering to the NCAS specification.  If certification is revoked, your analyzer will be locked out from performing emissions tests.  Your only options at that point are to purchase different equipment or hope certification is restored on your analyzer. 

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No.  The original specification from the State forbids using an NCAS computer for any other purposes than Emissions testing.  After realizing that Windows® XP included high level security techniques not contained in other operating systems, the State allowed systems using Windows® XP to be used for other purposes provided all security specifications were met.  No other operating system contains these security techniques and they have not been certified for other uses besides Emissions Testing.

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Can the computer system that came as part of my EASE Stand-alone OBD II testing package be used for anything besides emission testing.

Yes, it can.  By using the latest operating system available – Windows® XP – EASE Diagnostics was able to provide security measures that meets the State’s requirements and still allows other software to be run on the NCAS computer.  Windows® XP is the only operating system the State has approved that allows you to use your system for anything besides emissions testing.

Some of the items you may want to include are EASE diagnostic software that turns your emissions equipment into a complete Inspection and Maintenance center, shop management software, technical service info, vehicle information systems, invoicing, and internet access (EASE systems are internet ready and include a modem.)

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I hear people talking about wireless communications.  What’s that all about?

Communications between the vehicle being tested and your NCAS computer can be done several different ways.  The most common method is a cable running between the vehicle and the computer.  Although this method works well, the cable must be moved from car to car to perform emissions tests.  This can slow the testing process and can lead to injuries caused by tripping over the cable that is run across the floor.

A second method requires the use of a Palm Pilot to perform the test at the car.  When using a Palm, the technician must still access the State VID with the NCAS computer, download the information into the Palm, and then perform the test procedure.  After the test is complete, the information must then be downloaded into the computer for transmittal back to the VID.  This download is accomplished using infrared communications that requires the Palm to be very close to the computer to work.  The downloading and walking back and forth to the car being tested slows the process down, making it less time efficient than other methods.

Finally, communications can be handled with the optional wireless interface offered by EASE.  How it works is really quite simple.  The diagnostic connector is attached as required with all methods.  Using a convenient remote, the test is performed at the vehicle.  While the test is being performed, the information is transmitted automatically without the need for downloading the information.  As soon as the test is finished, the technician can move on to the next vehicle and start over again.  We call our method “One Step Emissions Testing,” a much quicker and efficient way of performing tests since you are not constantly walking back and forth to the computer or wasting time downloading information.

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Yes, the EASE wireless interface is certified by the State for use in North Carolina.  In fact, about 90% of our customers purchase the optional wireless interface with their NCAS system.  Yes, the EASE Wireless Interface does communicate with CAN.

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How can I get a demonstration of the EASE NCAS system?

It’s really quite simple.  Call us toll free at 888-366-EASE(3273) and we will make arrangements for one of our sales reps to meet with you.  A demo will be scheduled at your convenience and all your questions will be answered.
  

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