Californa Emissions Test on 1998 and Newer Diesels - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Diesel911 · #1 03-25-2010, 12:26 AM

http://www.mercedesforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41834

Found on another Forum; not verified.

rhodes2010 · #2 03-25-2010, 02:25 AM

Yeah. My smog test guy commented on that.
He is a MB diesel guy too.
So I enjoy not having to pay $30 every 2 years for the 300D and 300SD.

But it is not to much trouble to get the other 2 done every 2 years.

If I had a newer TDI I probably would not mind.

NoSparkNeeded · #3 03-25-2010, 10:31 AM

Smog checks for diesels? The main motivation for me getting a Mercedes diesel was wanting to get out of the ridiculous CA smog check program.
I resent the heck out of the government making me physically go do something. It's bad enough they take the fruit of my labor, let alone make
me go somewhere and do something as well. It brings to my mind a cowboy robber shooting at your feet and making you "dance" before he takes your money.

Alastair · #4 03-25-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSparkNeeded

Smog checks for diesels? The main motivation for me getting a Mercedes diesel was wanting to get out of the ridiculous CA smog check program.
I resent the heck out of the government making me physically go do something. It's bad enough they take the fruit of my labor, let alone make
me go somewhere and do something as well. It brings to my mind a cowboy robber shooting at your feet and making you "dance" before he takes your money.

I'm a little curious....

Why do you think that testing a car for smoke is 'Unreasonable....?
--Your car could be absolutely spotless clean with regards its emissions.....

But--

How many times, have you been on the road stuck behind some old duffer chucking out piles of crap, that forces you either to overtake or hang right back--Just to get a lungful of cleanish air...?

(Get stuck in the Dartford Tunnel behind a tatty old Ford Transit pick-up belching crud,--Then tell me what the use is of this test!!)

)

We have this test every year as part of an annual 'Roadworthyness' test (MOT) here in the UK, on Every car Over 4 years old--NO way round this, All cars 4 years or older must be MOT'd to be allowed on the road.....

We manage perfectly well, and it really Isnt a hard test to pass if all is well with your engine!

--Even pretty crap engines can run reasonably cleanly if certain measures are taken....

NoSparkNeeded · #5 03-25-2010, 11:28 AM

No,I do not think it's reasonable for government to make one physically go and do anything. If spotted and singled out on the highway by LEA for excessive smoke then issuing a fix-it ticket is fine by me. I even resent the fact I have to drop off my tax bill to someone else to figure out. Even that should be simple enough that them taking my money should not involve my physically having to do something. Heck I don't agree with a draft or forced jury "duty" either. Yeah I admit I'm a little unusual

.

I cannot site it at the moment, but I remember listening to Dr. Bill Wattenburg explain how the smog check program was a colossal waste of money and time, better spent on industrial pollution clean up. I respect this guy's views, and believe what he stated.

okyoureabeast · #6 03-25-2010, 11:29 AM

I agree. Our diesels don't even pump out that much particulates. I don't care if I am required for emissions or not but I hate seeing an old car or truck belching black smoke.

I would pay the 30$ and move on and be happy knowing that I didn't contribute as much to air pollution.

ah-kay · #7 03-25-2010, 12:09 PM

You have a choice. Get a diesel 1998 or older. How simple can it be?

One of the reasons I changed to diesel is to screw the smog test. As for Big Government, we can debate it all day but will come to nothing. There must be rules that everyone needs to follow. So get over it.

SirNik84 · #8 03-25-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSparkNeeded

No,I do not think it's reasonable for government to make one physically go and do anything. If spotted and singled out on the highway by LEA for excessive smoke then issuing a fix-it ticket is fine by me. I even resent the fact I have to drop off my tax bill to someone else to figure out. Even that should be simple enough that them taking my money should not involve my physically having to do something. Heck I don't agree with a draft or forced jury "duty" either. Yeah I admit I'm a little unusual

.

I cannot site it at the moment, but I remember listening to Dr. Bill Wattenburg explain how the smog check program was a colossal waste of money and time, better spent on industrial pollution clean up. I respect this guy's views, and believe what he stated.

I feel your pain, I totally understand... I think you have to live under these laws in order to understand their full effect. its not only the inconvenience, but if your car doesn't pass you have limited time to get the repair done before you run into issues with getting your car registered. I've literally seen people (young people living pay check to pay check) have to give up on things like food in order to get their cars repaired ASAP. its not like you have time to budget for the repairs before the state drops your registration. then you are driving illegal, and you then you get into real trouble.

In theory I think all cars should run at their peak efficiency, but the market should drive these forces in the form of gas prices. why do you need the government to come down on you and threaten to take away your transportation?

Its just another reason for pointlessly big government.

Sorry for the rant.

I really did enjoy getting my SD. walking in to DMV with the title and having the lady tell me she hopes I enjoy my Mercedes... Verses every time I've taken a pink for a gas car in, they look at you like you are doing something illegal and tell you, "better get this done ASAP, you wouldn't want to loose your registration"

Diesel911 · #9 03-25-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

You have a choice. Get a diesel 1998 or older. How simple can it be?

One of the reasons I changed to diesel is to screw the smog test. As for Big Government, we can debate it all day but will come to nothing. There must be rules that everyone needs to follow. So get over it.

Actually It includes 1998.
But, this is what happed to me.
My Stepfather gave me a 1977 Motor Home that will not pass the Emissions Test becaue the Engine needs Rebuilding. So I registered it none operational.
CA had a law that said a car more than 20 years old did not have to have the emissions test.
Guess what; about 1 year before 1997 came they changed the law. Now Emission tests need to be done on cars 1973 and newer; including my Motor Home.

kerry · #10 03-25-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alastair

Why do you think that testing a car for smoke is 'Unreasonable....?
)

Think 1776.

SirNik84 · #11 03-25-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

Actually It includes 1998.
But, this is what happed to me.
My Stepfather gave me a 1977 Motor Home that will not pass the Emissions Test becaue the Engine needs Rebuilding. So I registered it none operational.
CA had a law that said a car more than 20 years old did not have to have the emissions test.
Guess what; about 1 year before 1997 came they changed the law. Now Emission tests need to be done on cars 1973 and newer; including my Motor Home.

its 1976 not 73. I got my Charger registered no problem. The lady even said... Lucky for you, I don't have to give you my "go get it smogged" speech.

I remember when Leno drove to Sacramento to tell Arnold not to sign the bill fixing it at 1976, but Arnold signed it any way.

Alastair · #12 03-25-2010, 05:08 PM

Does your govt have the power to sieze and CRUSH your car--Just because you haven't paid out 400-1000 dollars for the privalage of putting a small, round piece of paper with a date on it in the windscreen? (Car Tax,--official name-Vehicle Excise Duty)

--VED is mandatory--Just like everything else in this Poisonous little insignificant nasty country (UK).

--OR if its off the road, and you have not notified them (SORN,--Statutory Off Road Notification) they have the power to remove and crush it too....

You Then gotta have at Least Third-party insurance--Which can cost a 'new' driver up to 4000 dollars per year--For an Average, small euro****box car!!
--My fully comp insurance for this year--Just renewed was 500 ish dollars--coz Ive been driving over 20 years...

MOT is the cheapest part,--Bargain at 80 dollars, yearly....

--All That, before you've even gone 1 mile--Gasoline here is 2.50 Per LITRE!

You guys got it SO EASY

--Anyone object to my immigration to your country, and I'll bring my old Wagon with me!!??

NoSparkNeeded · #13 03-25-2010, 05:56 PM

Alistair, that is just what I mean. Letting government dictate what you must "go and do" is a really slippery slope. I don't want my land to becomelike yours, with manditory car crushing, CCTVs all over the place, etc. So objecting to the CA smog check program is a way to resist in some way.I suppose if the smog check program really did something in the greater scheme of things, I might feel differently. It may however, only correct a VERY small percentage of the problem. Perhaps it helps the LA basin, but nothere where I am, and not the pollution problem in general, and I'm saying thatabout gassers. To add such a small number of older diesels is absurd. Manyof us purchased diesels JUST to get away from stupid useless beaurocracy. IfI'm going to allow the government to MAKE me physically go somewhere and do something, I'm going to want a damn significant world benefit for that.Heck,lol, look in my gallery at the personal lic. plate I picked when I finally dumped the smog check,hehhe

Diesel911 · #14 03-25-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirNik84

its 1976 not 73. I got my Charger registered no problem. The lady even said... Lucky for you, I don't have to give you my "go get it smogged" speech.

I remember when Leno drove to Sacramento to tell Arnold not to sign the bill fixing it at 1976, but Arnold signed it any way.

It could be I remember incorrectly.

Diesel911 · #15 03-25-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alastair

Does your govt have the power to sieze and CRUSH your car--Just because you haven't paid out 400-1000 dollars for the privalage of putting a small, round piece of paper with a date on it in the windscreen? (Car Tax,--official name-Vehicle Excise Duty)

--VED is mandatory--Just like everything else in this Poisonous little insignificant nasty country (UK).

--OR if its off the road, and you have not notified them (SORN,--Statutory Off Road Notification) they have the power to remove and crush it too....

You Then gotta have at Least Third-party insurance--Which can cost a 'new' driver up to 4000 dollars per year--For an Average, small euro****box car!!
--My fully comp insurance for this year--Just renewed was 500 ish dollars--coz Ive been driving over 20 years...

MOT is the cheapest part,--Bargain at 80 dollars, yearly....

--All That, before you've even gone 1 mile--Gasoline here is 2.50 Per LITRE!

You guys got it SO EASY

--Anyone object to my immigration to your country, and I'll bring my old Wagon with me!!??

Come on over. We need some more English speaking people here.

English is a 2nd language; even for my Wife.

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