Re: locations that have emissions, if your vehicle is garaged (aka titled & registered) in the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, or Stafford, or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas or Manassas Park, your vehicle must meet the emissions inspection requirements.

And yes, as of August 2005, Virginia became fully OBD-II compliant. They're also launching roadside sniffer tests to survey the emissions vehicles are putting out as they pass, and will be issuing tickets via the mail for vehicles putting out too much emissions - and they're fix-it tickets, so you have to prove you've fixed your emissions system. Same thing that's happening in Cali.

You can perform emissions and even safety inspection early, but I think the limit is 60 days before it expires, IIRC.

As for your coilovers, if it's not done professionally, yes you can fail. And even if it is done professionally, there are other further requirements that your car must meet, in addition to those that Hybrid AWD listed. What he listed is correct, but incomplete. To see the full extent of what is legal when it comes to messing w/ your suspension, go here (it's too long to copy paste): http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...+cod+46.2-1063

That's the Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1063, Re: Alteration of suspension system; bumper height limits; raising body above frame rail.

Below are pics of what the roadside sniffer testing stations look like, so you can keep an eye out for 'em. Also, APPARENTLY, 5-0 can impound your vehicle for multiple violations - or so they say. I'm still checking on that...but that's what the prick made a point to tell me after pulling me over w/o anything w/ him, out of uniform, just to harrass me about my RX-7.

~Ramy

 

^ the code you mentioned isnt for inspection, its for the actual motor vehicle code. still applies, but you can pass with a lowered car if its done correctly (has appropriate travel, doesnt bind or rub, and isnt loose). i havent seen any form of written rule in the book about inspecting early, on pages 20-1 & 20-2.

as for the suspension related shits.... section 110 is full of reasons to reject a lowered car done incorrectly, from p 110-1 section B number 4: any modification made to the suspension that causes the vehicle body or chassis to contact the ground or expose the fuel tank to collision. to get technical, you can reject if the car has scraped before. no inspector is gonna be that anal though

i like rejecting for "uber negative camber" since its visually out of alignment. being a dick.

 

Yea I know...that's why I said it's from the VA Code. Point is, we have a LOT of extremely anal inspectors in NoVa, who will reject cars for things well beyond what's outlined by the VA State Police. And suspension is one of those areas they're notorious in. I've def. seen them fail it for being too low. Just stating what happens, and what problems ppl can and will run into.

I haven't either. But I asked an inspector who's a friend of mine. He told me up to 60 days early, so I took him at his word. Have no reason to doubt him.

 

You guys all crack me up.... none of this matters. There is only one rule in life you need to remember and follow:

"It's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know"

 

Very true...which is why I'm always left absolutely BEWILDERED when my friends tell me "the guy failed me because my passenger side window switch doesn't work" or some crazy thing like that lol. And I always answer "where do you FIND these kind of inspectors?!" lol

 

 

its not a rumor its a fact. all the stations i know are doin it.

 

Wrongo. Mine passed in my 1992 GSR three times @ different shops.

 

what kind of system? and if it was the shitcan style, consider yourself lucky you got it to pass.

 

Yea...just cuz you pass doesn't mean it's legal. Some guys just aren't as thorough or anal as others.