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Hybrid smog check. What a joke.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by cproaudio, May 24, 2016.

  1. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    So I took my 2010 Prius to my local smog place. They pulled my car into the garage, no dyno b/c another car was sitting on the dyno at the time. They left the car on but was plug into an wireless OBD-II box. They left the car on for maybe 2-3 minutes. I was thinking OK, they need to drain the HV battery so the ICE would kick on when they dyno it. WRONG!!, After that 2-3 minutes, the tech pulled my car out of the garage and told me it was done and passed. The ICE didn't even kick on, he didn't even check the gas cap. Not even open the hood. What a Fking joke. When they smog my 97 Tacoma, they had it on the dyno and test 15mph and 25mph. They check the gas cap and smog sensor in the tail pipe and under the hood.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    here, they get everything from the obd. we used to have to warm up the engine before bringing it in. not anymore. no wonder it was so easy for vdub to screw with them.
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yes that's the CA smog check now, just a money thing.

    It's suppose to stop people with check engine lights on
     
  4. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well I'm naive enough to hope that on some level the goal is ensuring a higher air quality.
    But on a Prius?
    Perhaps all the information they need IS retrievable through the OBD port?

    In any case? Unless you fear your exhaust system has a problem and you wanted some confirmation of this, I'd just be happy I passed. Pay the fee's and drive on assuming The Prius IS one of the lowest emissions vehicles on the road.
     
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The ones with the bad catalytic and need a $2000 repair to pass, will wish they were in your position. This will be the death of the prius, passing smog
     
    #5 JC91006, May 24, 2016
    Last edited: May 24, 2016
  6. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Here in Texas they hook up to the ODB connector, check all lights including emergency brake light on dash, horn, wipers, tires, gas cap and insurance paper work. No more dyno or tail pipe stick. They dropped that a few years back. Also if codes have been cleared recently, automatic fail as all systems MUST report "READY" on the ODB connector.

    If everything checks out they give you a "certificate" that you take in to get the plate renewal sticker for the windshield. Then you are good to go for a year. Used to have two sticker's on the windshield. One for inspection and one for license plates, now just one for the license plates. You can't buy plates until the car passes inspection, and you can't inspect it until you have insurance. They try to cover all the bases now, but I am sure fraud still exists here and there...

    I do agree it's all about the software, no wonder VW got away with what they did for a long time...
     
  7. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    when i lived in MO, they checked emissions on the hwy ramps (IR sensors and plate camera). not sure how precise the measurement was.
     
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  8. Eastside

    Eastside Member

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    Did ya ever watch the megasized, local city bus go by with only one or two passengers ?
    .
    And wonder about why your Prius doesn't get an automatic PASS on those emissions tests ?


    [​IMG]
     

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  9. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    It's only a joke when you have a nice clean hybrid. But if you have a black sooty ICE, then it's another story. I know how you feel though because my wallet was $60 lighter a few months ago to go through this smog check. At least it's quick, not like the TSA.
     
  10. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    I look forward to a quick and simple test. My Scion passed with no problems for ten years. Right before I sold it, the smog guy said, "Your car runs like its new!" It had 163,000 miles on it! However, my fords, chevy and dodges always had some kind of issue. They never just passed the first time.
     
  11. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    normal smog check price here is $49.75+$8.25 smog cert. I'm pissed at the $50 for 3 minute job. Granted, I had a $20 coupon so it came down to just under $30 for labor but still.
     
  12. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Hybrids are exempt here in CO
     
  13. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Emissions checks are more about getting money than anything else. Want to reduce smog? Come up with effective mass transit. Getting a car off the road is the more effective solution.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can get a discount coupon?
     
  15. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Of course. The smog check station can charge whatever they want. The actual certificate is what the state charges and it's a separate fee on top of the smog check.
     
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  16. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    The smog check places locally usually charge $35 after discount. Normal price is around $50 for post 1996 and $60 for pre 1995. Smog cert is additional.
     
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  17. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Debatable statement.
    As I think the most effective solution is the solution that reduces smog but will be embraced by the largest number of people.
    Since I think people like personal transportation more than they like using mass transit, the most effective way at this point to reduce smog is IMO to produce more personal transportation options that produce less smog. Such as Electrics and Hybrids.

    I live in a city, that boasts of having...and I believe has, one of the best mass transit systems in the world. And it helps. BUT..people still like to drive, and they like to drive their own personal automobile. You can have incredibly effective mass transit systems and options, but unless you can change the reality that people like the freedom and ability to personally drive themselves? Then there is a limit to how effective mass transit can become.

    I really don't see either as being an Either/Or answer.
    Reducing smog, is really about offering good utilizeable mass transit options, AND IMO increasing personal transportation options with better smog and emissions standards. And at this point I think improving the latter would be more effective in creating change than improving the former.
     
  18. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Gad. One would think the fee for the inspection would be set by the state. I know in Virginia the safety inspection is a set fee. Nobody who is a certified inspector can charge more than that amount.
     
  19. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

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    You would think, especially for 2000 and newer cars where they just check the ODB, but apparently not in California. Prices vary by city, county and even vehicle type. Here we have inspection stations and the price is regulated. Vehicles under 5 years old don't need to be inspected. It used to cost $27.75, but went down to $20 in July 2014. They even provide a free gas cap if the vehicle fails for that reason.
     
  20. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    There are many smog check places around here don't check the gas cap on your vehicle. Instead, they use their own gas cap that is sure to pass smog.