E-Check At A Glance
E-Check is a vital part of Ohio’s comprehensive air quality plan
to reduce motor vehicle pollutants and enrich the quality of life
for the region’s residents.
Why E-Check Works:
● Motor vehicles are the single
greatest source of smog-causing pollution in Northeast Ohio—greater
than all of Ohio’s steel mills, chemical and power plants combined.
● E-Check removes more than 74 tons of
harmful vehicle emissions from the region’s air every single
day—helping improve air quality, protect public health, safeguard
the environment and support economic growth.
● Air pollutants from motor vehicles
are linked to serious health problems including asthma, cancer and
heart and lung disease. Children, seniors and pregnant women are
● Changing the current E-Check system
to dilute or eliminate its effectiveness would jeopardize the health
of our environment, citizens and economy. Without the air quality
benefits of E-Check, the harm to our air would be the equivalent of
adding 400,000 cars to our roadways, or 15 new factories.
● If Ohio does not comply with
increasingly demanding federal Clean Air Act mandates, we risk
severe penalties including limits on construction grants, industrial
expansion, job growth and the elimination of more than $900 million
in federal highway funds.
To find out more about Ohio E-Check, visit
for an Inspection
Following these simple tips will help you breeze through the E-Check
General (All Tests)
1. The emissions control equipment
for your vehicle must be intact and functioning. Vehicles missing a
catalytic converter will be rejected from the emissions test if that
model vehicle was originally equipped with a catalytic converter.
Removing or tampering with emissions equipment may cause your
vehicle to fail the test.
2. Follow recommended maintenance schedules
for your vehicle. Read the owner's manual and follow maintenance
guidelines. Your vehicle will perform more efficiently, increasing
its chances of passing the emissions test. Regular maintenance
includes periodic oil and filter changes and tune-ups.
3. A gas cap is required equipment. It must be the correct
type for your vehicle and be in place.
4. Do not overfill the gas tank. When you fill your tank,
resist the impulse to get just a "little bit more" into the tank
after the nozzle clicks off. The excess gasoline has nowhere to
expand and may saturate a part of the emissions system.
5. Safety for E-Check inspectors and customers is of the
utmost importance; therefore vehicles demonstrating any of the
following will be turned away:
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD II) Test
If the "Check Engine" light is illuminated, your vehicle will fail
the test. Have your vehicle repaired before having it tested.
TransColonial is a full service auto
repair shop and a Licensed E-Check Repair Facility.
2. BMW Series 7 owners must provide accessibility to the OBD II
computer by removing the cover plate prior to inspection. BMW
dealers can provide this service. Ohio EPA regrets any inconvenience
this may cause.
Tailpipe Test (Performed only at the 23
Full-Service Ohio E-Check Stations)
1. Vehicles should be warmed up before testing. Until your vehicle
reaches normal operating temperature, it emits excess pollutants.
Run your vehicle for at least 15 minutes prior to undergoing an
emissions test. Vehicles that are not driven often may experience
carbon build-up which may cause them to fail. For those vehicles
that are not driven on a regular basis, or are driven only short
distances at low speeds, be sure to warm them up for 15 to 30
minutes at highway speeds.
2. Vehicles with front-wheel drive should have the front suspension
properly aligned. Poor front-end alignment will make the vehicle
difficult to test on the dynamometer.
3. Make certain tires are properly inflated. Unevenly inflated,
under-inflated or mismatched tires make the vehicle difficult to
test on the dynamometer.
4. Make certain your brakes are in good condition. Poor brakes make
the vehicle difficult to test on the dynamometer.
5. Ensure the integrity of your exhaust system. Excessive exhaust
leaks may cause your vehicle to be rejected from the emissions test
and may be dangerous to the vehicle's occupants.
6. IMPORTANT! Please notify the certified inspector prior to
starting the emissions test if your vehicle has traction control or