no more tail pipe smog tests in CA?
 

SmogTips.com - AB 2289 - Smog Check Law California. No more tailpipe smog test. Elimination of tailpipe smog check testing for 2000 model vehicles and newer.

Three cheers for sanity but how does this change have the effect of removing 800,000 old cars from the road? Will smogging a 75-99 gasser or 98-99 Diesel be cost prohibitive because the cost of dyno testing is spread over fewer tested vehicles? Will it actually take 800,000 cars off the road? The market value of our '97 burb 6.5 might have just doubled :)

Sixto
87 300D^2

I am very glad I live in an area where smog checks aren't required. I previously had a vehicle registered in Ventura County, CA, and the same one again in Henry County, GA and the smog deal was a pain, even though the only thing I ever needed to do to pass was change an EGR valve.

If technology keeps going this way, you'll be able to connect your car to your smartphone to run the smog check that way. Do the visual inspection over Skype. Doesn't State Farm offer a discount if you plug a reporting/self incriminating device into your car's OBD port? Oops, it's based on On-Star - http://www.statefarm.com/insurance/auto_insurance/drive-safe-save/illinois/inDrive-faq.asp

Sixto
87 300D^2

Only 2 AZ counties require smog checks. I don't live in either one. That makes me, the winner.

That sounds kind of backwards. You would think the old cars would just be allowed to fade away. At least they're exercising some sense for some sector of the motoring public.

Oh well. I'm glad there are no sniff tests out here in the boonies.

They dropped even annual inspections in Oklahoma about ten years ago. Smog is not a problem here as there are only two large cities and both are flat and windy. Tulsa has a few hills, but the wind still comes sweeping down the plains from Kansas and blows away any smog.

The inspection was replaced by a set of traffic fines. If a Cop sees your car has an unsafe condition they can pull you over and cite you for it. This has the effect of you keeping your car safe at all times and not just when the inspection is due.

One way smog is reduced here is that gas in Tulsa and Oklahoma Counties is held to the same RVP standards as gas in most big cities. In other words, Summer gas and Winter gas. This has the effect of keeping 'smog days' down to an acceptable limit. I must admit it is working as the air quality here is far superior to say... Houston or Austin.

i live in iowa the only smog we worry about is cow farts!

In Korntucky, we call cow farts "The Green Fog". :D

Considering the air quality in those two counties, smog checks are a good idea. ;)

I like the way CT does it.

1997 and older vehicles, IE pre OBD2 have to be run and tailpipe emissions checked etc.

1997 and newer just need to be hooked up to a scanner and pass if no codes are found.

After 25 years vehicles are exempt from emissions.

So by default in 2022 their won't be anymore emissions anyway, just a fast plug and scan.

If you don't go you cannot renew your registration. If you do go lots of shops can do it, and its $20 and fast.

I like it, it keeps the worst offenders off the road or at least running at an acceptable level.

Yes, it does sound like there's at least some common sense involved with this one.

I was in Santa Fe last year and went to Home Depot. While walking across the parking lot my nose was hit by an old smell that I had to stop and think about.

Then I looked up and saw a 1966 Chevy pickup going by and realized the smell was unburned gas. It was weird that it stood out like that, but Santa Fe is somewhat out there by itself, and the Home Depot is on the edge of town, so the air is really clean.

I finally figured out the smell reminded me of Downtown Dallas in the 60's when there were out of tune cars everywhere.

While smog checks are a hassle I would not want to go back to the good old days of smog belching autos.

Nope, and at least now what they seem to catch are oil burners that soot up the cat's and O2 sensors and stink.

At least in my state you can't pass if you have CE light, so that forces people to fix or junk the vehicle.

I'm with you on that one Pooka. I hate driving behind a '70's or earlier vehicle with the windows rolled down. That is not my favorite smell, been a long time, but I can't remember if leaded gas smelled any worst.



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Planned obsolescence... or auto industry's guarenteed revenue stream... or both?