![]() 07/21/2017 at 19:19 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
My mechanic told me my car won’t pass state inspection because of my deleted power steering and 50 series size tire sidewall. The sidewall evidently has to be the same as stock even if the load and speed rating is better than stock.
![]() 07/21/2017 at 19:32 |
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WTF that a load of BS, whether it’s true or not. There’s gotta be someway around it because I doubt you’re the only one in PA with smaller sidewalls.
![]() 07/21/2017 at 19:39 |
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We’ve had this mechanic since I was born so he ain’t being shifty. He told me it’s a pretty new rule and the state is being especially strict about it. Just means I have to put the snow tires and wheels on the next time around haha
![]() 07/21/2017 at 19:46 |
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In PA? tell him to go fuck himself,
specifically: 175.65
This is new, copywrite 2017
![]() 07/21/2017 at 20:12 |
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Whaddya know, he’s right. Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations , Subchapter E, 175.80(e)(1)(xxii) states:
REJECT IF
A tire is smaller than the manufacturer’s recommended minimum size or below the manufacturer’s recommended load ating[sic].
On the Power Steering delete, I haven’t found anything that explicitly states a REJECT IF on that yet
![]() 07/21/2017 at 20:13 |
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This is news to me as a PA resident, so I took a look into it. Section 175.80, sub-chapter E, line XXII ( Page 46 ) does apparently state that a passenger vehicle or light truck will be rejected if the tires are below the manufacturer’s recommended minimum size, or below the manufacturer’s recommended minimum load rating.
Looking into it further, there was a note sent out to inspection personnel in 2014 regarding the clarification of certain rules - one of which being the aforementioned tire size rule. The note states:
175.80(e)(xxii) requires the vehicle to be rejected if a tire is smaller than the manufacturer’s recommended minimum size or below the manufacturer’s recommended load range.
For clarification purposes:
Tire size and load range are determined by the individual vehicle manufacturer. Gross vehicle weight along with the ability of the tire side wall construction to withstand stress on turns and the extreme force exerted on front tires during braking at freeway speeds are some of the factors that dictate load range.
It is the load range rating branded on a tire’s sidewall that identifies how much load the tire is designed to carry at its industry specified pressure. Operating a vehicle with improper tire size and load range could affect the stability control of a vehicle, having an adverse effect on the vehicle and others on the road.
Tires are subjected to adverse conditions and Safety Inspection Inspectors determine if a vehicle’s tires conform to manufacturer’s specification and minimum tire conditions. Regulations are not grandfathered, due to the fact that there would be two types of vehicles on Pennsylvania roadways; those with tires that pass the safety inspection in accordance with regulation; and tires considered passable due to a grandfathering clause, but that do not meet the regulatory standard. This would be a cause for concern for public safety. The Pennsylvania Safety Inspection Program is committed to ensure the safety of all citizens traveling upon the roadways.
Now, what I’m unclear on is the definition of smaller tire size, and whether the smaller tire size refers to the overall size (
so, you would still be fine with a shorter sidewall if the wheel diameter was increased, and the load rating was correct
), or whether the smaller size refers to each dimension of the tire (
so you would have to have the stock sidewall profile regardless of wheel size
).
I would argue that it is referring to overall size, but I could see the (
stupid
) argument for the other case.
![]() 07/21/2017 at 20:15 |
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See page 46, line XXII near the top of that document though.
![]() 07/21/2017 at 20:16 |
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While it should be for overall circumfrence, the law words it to be specifically vague.
![]() 07/21/2017 at 20:18 |
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My guess is since it’s something related to drive train that’s not technically working, it can’t pass
![]() 07/21/2017 at 20:23 |
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I think some years came with 50 series tires from the factory, but yeah just get it inspected with a different set. Think of it like putting back the stock exhaust for emission testing, the shit people do....
![]() 07/21/2017 at 20:33 |
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The 95M-edition came with 15in wheels but mine is a 94M. He told me it was totally fine to get it inspected with my snow tires since they are not studded.
![]() 07/21/2017 at 20:36 |
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You could buy a NA Miata with a manual steering rack. Just say you swapped yours out for non-powered one?
![]() 07/21/2017 at 21:04 |
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My plan is to just get a manual rack to out in. That the simplest solution
![]() 07/21/2017 at 21:23 |
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Or just get it inspected somewhere else....
![]() 07/21/2017 at 21:38 |
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But the manual rack ratio is worse. Depowered power steering is certainly better. Just tell them it’s a manual rack, they won’t know the difference. Unless they are reading Vin codes to figure it out, then it wouldn’t matter anyways.
![]() 07/21/2017 at 21:41 |
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This. I’m sure tire sidewall is not an issue unless it’s grossly off. Shit even a 50 series is pretty large for a Miata. 205/50 is a pretty standard size for anyone interested in a Miata that handles properly. 45 series is fine too in most cases.
![]() 07/21/2017 at 21:42 |
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What? That’s some dumb safety regs. And yet they still let motorcycles drive with no helmets...
![]() 07/21/2017 at 22:12 |
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Most mechanics won’t even check tire size, just tread depth. If you’re going to someone who’s going to be a complete stickler for the letter of the law, you’ve either got someone who was busted before for a lick-and-stick, or someone who’s an asshole and wants to charge you for things that “need” to be fixed, like windshield wipers, or “brake pads are too close, you need new brakes” even though they’re still above the fail point and not hitting the indicator tab yet.
![]() 07/21/2017 at 22:46 |
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i used to get hassled at inspection places, a LOT. this one time, it was over the tires, and how there was a dry rot crack in one, and it wouldnt pass. place was a tire shop. i had JUST so happened to pick up a set of s10 wheels the day before, with tires, and had the set sitting in the trunk(caprice box body)....... i popped the trunk, and showed the guy “just tell me which ones dont pass, and i can swap them out”...... the guy missed his sale, didnt make me swap anything out, and passed the car without any other hassle......
![]() 07/21/2017 at 23:07 |
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I wish tread depth was checked everywhere. Shit as long as your car can physically move to inspection station in NJ and doesn’t throw an OBDII code then you are good to go. I’ve seen some scary tires, been tempted to slash a few just to force them to replace it.
![]() 07/22/2017 at 05:02 |
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Lame... Nice car!
![]() 07/22/2017 at 13:59 |
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You can tell it’s a power rack because of the now capped off lines for PS fluid. I know the manual rack has a slightly slower steering ratio, but I don’t really have any other choice.
![]() 07/22/2017 at 14:09 |
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As far as I know no vehicle manufacturers recommend a minimum tire size. My mini,for instance, doesn’t say anywhere in the manual outside of what tires are typically equipped.
![]() 07/22/2017 at 16:14 |
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Is this a Canada thing? If not, some states have nothing better to do than to worry about power steering?
![]() 07/22/2017 at 19:16 |
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I mean I’m sure there’s gotta be an inspector that won’t care. I doubt the ones that do care would accept a manual rack installed if it’s not the original equipment.
![]() 07/22/2017 at 19:27 |
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As a former resident of PA, you need a new mechanic, ASAP