Another california smog check story
Thread Starter
WRX cuz Honda won't wagon
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Another california smog check story
Smog check time and DMV tells me I have to go to a Test Only station.
Supposedly they only send high emissions risk vehicles there, but sometimes they send regular cars too. Why did I get chosen? Was I the random 2%?
- 1997 civic ex
- 106k miles
- clean history
While i was there, there was a huge van, and another 6th gen Civic (LX).
Anyways, so the guy pops the hood and sees my AEM CAI and gets this looks on his face and says, "oh, you have a modified intake". I point out the CARB EO sticker and he mumbles something about "yeah, but you have to look it up to see if it's still ok."
I got the feeling he didn't want to deal with it.
Anyways, my car passes, and only one parameter had one spike in the HC that got up to max allowed. But it still passed. I didn't have much time to really warm up the engine. The van was also ahead of me so I had to wait 20 minutes. Other than that, everything was clean.
I didn't mention the intake again, and neither did he.
And of course, this whole process sucked me of $70.
Supposedly they only send high emissions risk vehicles there, but sometimes they send regular cars too. Why did I get chosen? Was I the random 2%?
- 1997 civic ex
- 106k miles
- clean history
While i was there, there was a huge van, and another 6th gen Civic (LX).
High Emitter Profile - The majority of vehicles directed to Test-Only stations are selected by application of the High Emitter Profile (HEP), which identifies the vehicles most likely to fail their Smog Checks. The High Emitter Profile (HEP) uses data from several different sources. Some of it comes from the state Vehicle Identification Database (VID), which collects data from each Smog Check performed in California. The VID is used by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), BAR, and other government agencies. In addition, general vehicle data such as make, model-year, vehicle miles traveled, and engine size help define the HEP.
This information is used to determine which vehicles are most likely to fail their Smog Checks, especially at Gross Polluter levels--at least two times the emissions level allowed for a particular vehicle. No single factor identifies a vehicle for a Smog Check to be done at a Test-Only station. The data is weighted and vehicles selected using this computer profiling of vehicles most likely to fail their Smog Check. DCA/BAR has gradually increased the number of vehicles directed to Test-Only stations to meet the air quality improvement goals of the State Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP is a blueprint outlining the methods California will use to meet federal air quality standards.
Two Percent Randomly Selected - As required by State law, two percent of the vehicles in the Enhanced Areas are also directed to Test-Only stations for their Smog Checks. These vehicles are selected randomly to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the Smog Check Program.
This information is used to determine which vehicles are most likely to fail their Smog Checks, especially at Gross Polluter levels--at least two times the emissions level allowed for a particular vehicle. No single factor identifies a vehicle for a Smog Check to be done at a Test-Only station. The data is weighted and vehicles selected using this computer profiling of vehicles most likely to fail their Smog Check. DCA/BAR has gradually increased the number of vehicles directed to Test-Only stations to meet the air quality improvement goals of the State Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP is a blueprint outlining the methods California will use to meet federal air quality standards.
Two Percent Randomly Selected - As required by State law, two percent of the vehicles in the Enhanced Areas are also directed to Test-Only stations for their Smog Checks. These vehicles are selected randomly to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the Smog Check Program.
I got the feeling he didn't want to deal with it.
Anyways, my car passes, and only one parameter had one spike in the HC that got up to max allowed. But it still passed. I didn't have much time to really warm up the engine. The van was also ahead of me so I had to wait 20 minutes. Other than that, everything was clean.
I didn't mention the intake again, and neither did he.
And of course, this whole process sucked me of $70.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,316
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
Originally Posted by 98CoupeV6
What happens if you fail?
seriously, that shit is out of control, how do you guys deal with it? i mean the current state if affairs in California isn't pretty and police are more worried about pulling people over for car modifications. pretty sad in my eyes.
Thread Starter
WRX cuz Honda won't wagon
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by mike01civic
wtf? random smog checks? i guess that state doesn't have anything else to worry about like fuckin rolling blackouts, high crime rate, and gangs.
hood rich
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 35,752
Likes: 0
From: los josengeles
if you fail the first time, usually you get a second retest for free.
the only thing about test-only stations is that they are not allowed to do repairs on the vehicles that are getting smogged. its not like theyre any more strict than "regular" smog stations.
and ive never had a problem with smog checks in my entire life
h: :rick:
the only thing about test-only stations is that they are not allowed to do repairs on the vehicles that are getting smogged. its not like theyre any more strict than "regular" smog stations.
and ive never had a problem with smog checks in my entire life
h: :rick:
__________________
In Loving Memory
R.I.P. Huan Vo aka woong
01.14.1979 - 11.19.2008
In Loving Memory
R.I.P. Huan Vo aka woong
01.14.1979 - 11.19.2008
Thread Starter
WRX cuz Honda won't wagon
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by 95SiR
if you fail the first time, usually you get a second retest for free.
the only thing about test-only stations is that they are not allowed to do repairs on the vehicles that are getting smogged. its not like theyre any more strict than "regular" smog stations.
and ive never had a problem with smog checks in my entire lifeh: :rick:
the only thing about test-only stations is that they are not allowed to do repairs on the vehicles that are getting smogged. its not like theyre any more strict than "regular" smog stations.
and ive never had a problem with smog checks in my entire life
h: :rick:
hood rich
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 35,752
Likes: 0
From: los josengeles
Originally Posted by chimchim
I suspect that test only stations are there for the sole purpose of preventing temporary repairs to pass, then setting it back.
__________________
In Loving Memory
R.I.P. Huan Vo aka woong
01.14.1979 - 11.19.2008
In Loving Memory
R.I.P. Huan Vo aka woong
01.14.1979 - 11.19.2008
nelson rules
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 36,124
Likes: 0
From: the best coast
Originally Posted by 95SiR
if you fail the first time, usually you get a second retest for free.
the only thing about test-only stations is that they are not allowed to do repairs on the vehicles that are getting smogged. its not like theyre any more strict than "regular" smog stations.
and ive never had a problem with smog checks in my entire lifeh: :rick:
the only thing about test-only stations is that they are not allowed to do repairs on the vehicles that are getting smogged. its not like theyre any more strict than "regular" smog stations.
and ive never had a problem with smog checks in my entire life
h: :rick:h:
__________________
no sig
no sig