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Hybrids exempt from smog tests? - READ ONLY

35 messages,  Last post on Dec 02, 2007 at 8:23 AM

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Messages Page 4 of 4

#31 of 35 Smog test boobooo. by marcb

Aug 04, 2005 (9:54 am)

Back in the early hybrid days when i still owned an 01 Prius, I had to have it tested (a requirement here in Ontario Canada when cars hit 3 years).
 
For the test I...
 
1) Had a change oil, then
  
1) Drove at high speed for 30 minutes to make sure the cat converter was at max temp so the ICE would not kick in to warm it up while on the idling test.
(Also it was to top up the batteries to max, again to minimize ICE kicking in).
 
2) Temporarily overinflated the tires beyond tirewall max so the car will roll most efficiently.
 
3) Turned off all accesories (including the energy monitor) then parked on the nearest spot to the test bay so minimal juice will be used.
 
When the technician saw it was a hybrid, he had this misconception the ICE would never run on the idle test. Called someone from the gov who also made another booboo and told him to test it like a diesel (spot for black smoke while idling).
 
Of course, tech knew that would never happen, so he just gave me a pass on a diesel test doc without so much as stepping inside the car.
 
Paid $35 bucks for a piece of paper that meant nothing.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Heres an article I found interesting but which I never tried. So take it with a grain of salt...
 
http://pesn.com/2005/03/17/6900069_Acetone/

#32 of 35 Re: Smog test boobooo. [marcb] by explorerx4

Aug 04, 2005 (5:14 pm)

Replying to: marcb (Aug 04, 2005 9:54 am)
took my 14 year old mustang 5.0 for it's test. it has low mileage(30k), but still has original plugs, wires, etc. the air filter has been changed a couple of times.
passed the dyno test, with flying colors. the tester wasn't too happy it passed, becasue they also do repairs. i was like

#33 of 35 Re:END of my story... Anyone done a smog test yet? [happyhihy] by happyhihy

Sep 05, 2005 (10:09 am)

Replying to: happyhihy (Aug 01, 2005 8:11 pm)
Well, the saga of the smog test continued and I have a happy ending!
 
After taking my 4wd HH Lmtd to a smog test place, the poor tech was so confused when he just started it. I was almost LOL! He started it ... had a big puzzled-look on his face. Turned off the key and restarted it. I went to the window, winked and said it is a hybrid. He was red as a beet!
 
Back to the 'smog test'. The tech (and then the owner) informed me that they CAN'T test a hybrid, and especially a 4wd one. There is NO WAY to control when the gas-engine comes on. So I left with my wallet intact and the toll-free phone number for the California Department of Automotive Repairs.
 
Got home ... called. They confirmed that hybrids can't be tested at this time. They referred me to the "Smog Referee" when I asked what I was supposed to tell the DMV. (Didn't even know there was such thing as a "Smog Referee"!). Called him ... he confirmed that ALL Hybrids are exempt in California .. tell the DMV clerk to call their home office in Sacramento - they made the rule.
 
SO ... I went back to the DMV and the clerk insisted I had to have a smog certificate because the vehicle was purchased out of state (DUMB rule!). I asked for his supervisor, who didn't even know there was a HYBRID Highlander! I asked for HIS supervisor, who came over, changed the fuel description on their screen to "Q" instead of "G" and I was on my way.
 
What an ordeal! But, the outcome was okay.
 
In CA ALL Hybrids are exempt from smog testing!
 
Hope everyone else is helped by this saga.
 
Happy Hybriding!
DJ in Santa Clara

#34 of 35 Re: Prius exempt from smog checks in Ca [rpgolfer] by corvairbob

Dec 02, 2007 (7:16 am)

Replying to: rpgolfer (Jun 30, 2004 5:31 pm)
if the hybrid cars get to pass on the test then that in itself will promote more sales of the cars. and then back yard mechanics will figure a way around the battery when the cars get older to make them run on just the gas engine. this then will carry through to the testing of these cars and they will have a black market of test free cars on the road that run just on gas engines. and the smog problem may return from all the ?hybrid cars on the roads running gas engines only. the hybrid will run on the engine but it uses the battery for take off. and then the gas engines start to kick in. the after market will soon start producing performance parts for the hybrids to make the gas engine more powerful. the battery's will get disconnected and because they say hybrid they will drive right by the test stations. may be a good thing maybe not.

#35 of 35 Re: Prius exempt from smog checks in Ca [corvairbob] by gagrice

Dec 02, 2007 (8:23 am)

Replying to: corvairbob (Dec 02, 2007 7:16 am)
I think you would find with the Toyota Hybrids, they will not run without a GOOD battery. There are also sensors on everything to do with emissions that will stop the car dead in its tracks. Down to a gas tank sensor failure. It would take some real modification to work around the HSD. Diesel vehicles are also exempt in CA. So they save you at the pump and the DMV also.

Messages Page 4 of 4

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