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Smog Check exemption expires in Califronia on Dec. 2014

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by inventor00, Sep 12, 2014.

  1. inventor00

    inventor00 Active Member

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    One of our OC Prius Club members were getting hassled by the DMV in California, and communicated with the Bureau of Auto Repair.

    Turns out the smog check exemption for California Prius (aka Hybrids) will expire in Dec. 2014:

    Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Exempted From Initial Smog Check
    Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Are Exempt From Smog Checks
    Hybrid-Electric vehicles are currently exempt from all Smog Check inspections until December 2014.
    Technicians: Until further notice do not conduct a Smog Check inspection on these vehicles whether directed by DMV or for change-of-ownership. Have the motorist contact a DMV field office if they have been directed by a DMV registration notice to obtain a Smog Check.
    Please visit the following link for more information about hybrid and other low-emission vehicles:

    www.DriveClean.CA.gov
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Oh NOoooooo
     
  3. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Does anybody think that Priuses will fail this check?
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It's not about passing or failing.....it's paying the darn fee to do it. I wonder how they are going to do this? The smog check systems in CA have to change and all the techs have to be trained on hybrids.
     
  5. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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  6. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    So how do they perform the test? Is there a hidden option in the car to enable it to perform such a test? Otherwise once the engine is up to temperature the engine will switch off, which is why they've never done the test before. Here in the UK the Prius is exempt from the emissions test purely because it can't be done, or at least not in the same way as other vehicles.
     
  7. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    It is easy to do. No worries.
     
  8. Epiphany2000

    Epiphany2000 Member

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    Is it possible that the current exemption expires in December, but may be extended to a later date?
     
  9. Alesf76

    Alesf76 Member

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    Turning on the car in "maintenance mode". It's the sequence of double pedal presses and p-n-p switching often referenced for driving without the traction control. When turned on that way putting in P keeps the ICE always on.
     
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  10. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Does that allow you to rev the engine to a continuous 2/3000 rpm as mandated on our emission tests?
     
  11. Alesf76

    Alesf76 Member

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    Yes, more the throttle pedal is pushed more the ICE revs faster like in a conventional car, I don't remember what is the maximum RPM it reaches but it's above 2000.
     
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  12. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Good to know. You'll know that pressing the accelerator now just causes the engine to fire up, run for a little while and then switch off.

    Saying all this, I dread to think what the emissions of my Prius are. :unsure:
     
  13. Joele3

    Joele3 Active Member

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    These new smog checks being performed on cars 2000 and newer will no longer require an emission test. Just a visual and functional check. The fuctional checks the OBD system for DTCs and readiness status. I tried to run a smog check on a 2005. I couldn't get it to idle under 1100rpm for 30 seconds.
     
  14. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    I'm sure the guy who's doing the smog check will run the HV battery down to 2 bars before the actual test begins.
     
  15. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    You mean by parking in Neutral with the a/c running despite being asked not to? They seem to all do it. Grrr
     
  16. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    Unfortunately, Maryland also ended the exemption from Vehicle Emissions Inspections for the Prius and similar vehicles last year. I had to my get my first Prius emissions test in April 2014. The test fee is $14.00 which isn't that bad. The worse part is having to go to the test station, wait in line, etc. The test itself is a simple plug-in to the computer Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) under the steering wheel and a gas cap test to see if it leaks, not the old tailpipe exhaust measurement while the car is running on a treadmill.
     
  17. Gas Mizer

    Gas Mizer Member

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    Sounds like another CA money grab. There's not a doubt in my mind the Prius would pass; now we just get to pay smog fees, one of the primary reasons of my hybrid purchase!
     
  18. macman408

    macman408 Electron Guidance Counselor

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  19. EKIM

    EKIM Junior Member

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    Oh boy. I'm going to have some problems. I just got a registration renewal for my err, umm, 2008 Prius which has registration due on Dec 08, 2014. While I know this should be in the Gen II forum for my car, this is the most current thread I found on this topic so I thought I'd post up to verify that, yes, renewal notices are indeed going out and they state that SMOG Cert is required. This LINK I found confirms that the BAR is stating that Hybrids are subjected to the BAR OIS test. You can see what they do by looking at this LINK if you're curious as I was (on how to possible get away with what I've been... uh... getting away with).


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  20. energyandair

    energyandair Active Member

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    Will they adjust for % run time?