Hybrid smog check. What a joke.

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.

 

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

It's suppose to stop people with check engine lights on

 

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.

 

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

 

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...

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

Hybrids are exempt here in CO

 

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.

 

you can get a discount coupon?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.