| Author |
|
thunnus
Newbie
Joined: Apr 28 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Member's Gallery:
View Gallery
Location:
U.S. - Oregon
|
| Posted: Jan 14 2026 at 3:34pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
The past two times I have took my truck in for a smog
certification in California, they rejected it the first
time thru. They told me to take it out for a two hour
freeway ride. I told them it was used weekly for a 10 mile
drive to take the dog for a walk. So 40-50 miles weekly
use. He said it loads up with such a short trip.
Has anyone else had this problem? Something to do with
the O2 sensor I think.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Rubble
Moderator Group
Joined: Jul 31 2014
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 360
Member's Gallery:
View Gallery
Location:
United States
|
| Posted: Jan 14 2026 at 5:46pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
thunnus wrote:
The past two times I have took my truck in
for a smog certification in California, they rejected it the first
time thru. They told me to take it out for a two hour
freeway ride. I told them it was used weekly for a 10 mile
drive to take the dog for a walk. So 40-50 miles weekly
use. He said it loads up with such a short trip.
Has anyone else had this problem? Something to do with
the O2 sensor I think. |
|
|
If it were mine, I would take it in to Nissan and talk with the
Service Manager. Tell him what is happening and see what he
suggest's. I would probably want them to check the truck out.
It would be best to find out EXACTLY what it was that caused
the smog test failure prior to takeing it in.
Your Truck is now over 20 year's old,, so it's time to start
spending money to keep it in good condition.
Here a 2 hour Interstate Ride would be in the neighborhood of
140 mile's. Discuss that with your Nissan Service Manager.
It's best to make your Truck Presentable Prior takeing it in. How
Your Truck Look's make's an impression on how well it's been
taken care of. imo
__________________
Barney
2013 SV V6 Frontier KC/AT/2WD; Previous 20 yrs ~ '93 I4 Hardbody KC/AT/2WD, Sold.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hyenacousin76
Newbie
Joined: Jan 04 2017
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Member's Gallery:
View Gallery
Location:
U.S. - New York
|
| Posted: Feb 19 2026 at 10:02am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hey man! My exact case, I failed the 1st inspection
because of the gases and just passed it on 2nd attempt!
The results of my first smoke test were 10x higher from
permitted, but the truck drove just fine. It did have the
check engine thrown more than 6 months ago about lean
fuel mixture, but I cleared the code to observe and it
never returned.
So After I failed my 1st inspection (no CEL no codes)
I've got myself an OBD2 scanner, asked AI what parameters
to look up because I am not very handy with electrical
stuff. I then copied the results to AI and it said that
my upstream 02 parameters were just a bit off the normal
operation. My D40 is 11 years old now so I thought maybe
the O2 sensor is indeed slowly dying and replaced it.
As a result - I passed with normal results! Before the
inspection I did go for an intensive 40 minute run on the
highway for any case.
So for your case I'd recommend to do the diagnostics with
OBD2 scanner. Even if there are no codes the voltage of
the o2 sensors may show you the problem. It could also be
anything with air intake system or even some holes or
loose connection in the exhaust system...or the cat(but
it usually throws a special code and shows problems with
the second downstream 02 sensor).
I used cheap Ancel D410 scanner off
ebay and
aftermarket o2 sensor by Denso from
carid.com because
Nissan OEM is obviously pretty expensive for a 10 year
old truck.
But again I wouldn't recommend throwing in parts without
the diagnostics.
P.S always hated those emission tests.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
thunnus
Newbie
Joined: Apr 28 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Member's Gallery:
View Gallery
Location:
U.S. - Oregon
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2026 at 7:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Appreciate the response. Just ran it on the freeway for an
hour and passed inspection. Won't be doing this again as
you say it is over 20 years old.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hyenacousin76
Newbie
Joined: Jan 04 2017
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Member's Gallery:
View Gallery
Location:
U.S. - New York
|
| Posted: Feb 23 2026 at 8:55am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Glad to hear this! So now I am wondering what if I just
tried to run it on the freeway without changing the 02
sensor, should have tried to retest the same day on the 1st
inspection...ok well at least now with the new sensor it
wouldn't throw codes.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Active Topics 
Memberlist 
Search 
Help 
Register 
Login
Nissan Frontier Forums : Problems / Technical
Topic: 2005 Frontier SE 4X4 smog test
