Loose Gas Cap…PAY $50
Yes, that’s right, a simple little thing as a loose gas cap can cost you a Diagnostic Fee of $50 or MORE.
Since
1996 all cars now have On Board Diagnostic version 2 (ODBII). Its purpose is to
monitor all of the sensors in your car, and report their status back to the
computer, if those sensor readings don’t match the preprogrammed operating
range of the sensors being monitored; it turns on the dreaded Check Engine
Light.
This is New York States new way of cutting down on emissions,
If that Check Engine Light (money light) is on,
It could mean that your car is not running properly and polluting our atmosphere.
The fuel system in all cars now is SEALED, (no longer vented to the atmosphere), and one of the test that the ODBII does, is apply a 2 to 3 PSI (or vacuum)to your fuel tank to see if it is in fact sealed. If the system detects a leak…you guessed it…the Money Light comes on, so be sure to tighten your gas cap until you hear a few clicks to make sure it is tight.
As of
SO, don’t wait until the last minute/end of the month to get your car inspected, Service Centers do not issue temporary stickers any more, if your sticker has expired, the very first thing an inspector does is SCRAPE IT OFF, if for some reason your car fails the inspection, and you can’t afford to fix it right away, you will be driving ILLEGALLY with no inspection sticker.
Update, if you fail the Inspection because of Monitor Readiness, you Will receive a Ten Day Extension in order for the Drive Cycles to complete.