Diesel smog check in California

[Tallchevy]

The ARB & the great state of California is looking into smogging any diesel powered truck under 14,000 lbs. Looks like it will be a pilot program 1st then they will decide what to do after the results come in.

http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1451-1500/ab_1488_cfa_20070420_161829_asm_comm.html

Looks like Nevada is already doing it.

http://www.dmvnv.com/emission_diesel.htm

[motorider228]

Yeah diesels get smogged here but our smog laws are chill in Nevada (atleast in Vegas, I can't speak for the reno area)  They just plug into your computer to see if you are throwing any exhaust related codes, no sniff test or visual inspection or anything.

[abnormaltoy]

The ARB & the great state of California is looking into smogging any diesel powered truck under 14,000 lbs. Looks like it will be a pilot program 1st then they will decide what to do after the results come in.

http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1451-1500/ab_1488_cfa_20070420_161829_asm_comm.html

Looks like Nevada is already doing it.

http://www.dmvnv.com/emission_diesel.htm

Not that it affects me, I'm just interested, are they checking 2007 and newer trucks or older trucks too. If it's the 07 Dodge and Chevy and the 07 and 08 Fords, they'll pass car type sniffing. If they check the computer will they be able to detect downloaded performance programs and if they detect these downloads will they fail the truck?

[jimbo74]

i dont get it... under 14k is really basically a pickup truck... and the kind tht civilian consumers use and have..... any bigger than that ends up being a straight truck at least..... and there are a lot more straight trucks and rigs running around than people with huge pickup trucks.....

a lot of the trucks in CA are also from out of state, so their stuff wouldnt apply..... i work for fedex in oakland, and a lot of our trucks have TN licesne plates

[Tallchevy]

14001 lbs have an opacity test that has been going on since 1998. I don't think out of state trucks are affected here in Cali. What doesn't make sense is that it is up to the tech that is testing to decide if it passes or not by running the truck on the dyno at 50% load & looking at the color of the exhaust  I hope his glasses aren't dirty 

[*FFC*]

Screw that  

[BigMike]

I love the smog program. I especially love how the are now putting cats on all new motorcycles.




I say IF IT PASSES THE SNIFF TEST, THEN ITS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

Visual checks on parts and accessories is a WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.

It's a SMOG Check, not a COMPONENT Check.

[Tallchevy]

Motorcycles are next to get smogged. These will be ran on a dyno as well.

[jimbo74]

It's a SMOG Check, not a COMPONENT Check.

im sure that is next on the list... people always whine about CA, but then there are epople in other states that cant get their vehicle to pass roadworthy inspection because its lifted 4" or has any type of bodylift or things of that nature.....

[kneedownnate]

I say IF IT PASSES THE SNIFF TEST, THEN ITS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

Visual checks on parts and accessories is a WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.

It's a SMOG Check, not a COMPONENT Check.

I've said this for years too!  It's assenine to fail a vehicle that emits at or below the allowed amount due to a "visual" flaw

[NT-OUTBACK]

With a bit of a snicker I cannot help but laugh at people in other states who have no smog check, yet have removed every piece of smog equipment they can in search of the last bit of donkey power.

It's only a matter of time before your state changes it's mind and rolls out a smog check program. I still remember long ago people scrambling to find emissions parts in California only to have those parts become insanely expensive.

[Talon84x4]

I've said this for years too!  It's assenine to fail a vehicle that emits at or below the allowed amount due to a "visual" flaw

Just got done smogging my truck, passed the sniff but failed visual, so had to take it again. There went the gas money for wheeling this month 

Was also curious if the testing would be for everything produced from here on out or for all diesels no matter what year   

[CTENG in KS]

With a bit of a snicker I cannot help but laugh at people in other states who have no smog check, yet have removed every piece of smog equipment they can in search of the last bit of donkey power.

It's only a matter of time before your state changes it's mind and rolls out a smog check program. I still remember long ago people scrambling to find emissions parts in California only to have those parts become insanely expensive.

Hardly, the costs far outweight the benefits of smpg checks nowadays.  As federal regulations get more stringent and the older cars on the road make their way to the scrap heap, the effectiveness of emission testing decreases.  Todays cars pollute over 98% LESS than those of two decades ago.  Other states have been smart enough to realise that at this point testing is becoming redundant.
Kommifornia will be testing electric cars for smog...bunch of hippies.

[BigMike]

I blame it all on secret societies.


I've always wondered what would happen if CA moved its smog year from 1975 up to, oh say 1985? What, in your opinion, would be the increase (in percentage) of cars between '76-85 that would find their way back on the streets that are otherwise not in use today? (Note: this would NOT include your '76-85 vehicle that currently runs and is in use,  unless it was on the brink of failing a smog test)

[NT-OUTBACK]

Hardly, the costs far outweight the benefits of smpg checks nowadays.  As federal regulations get more stringent and the older cars on the road make their way to the scrap heap, the effectiveness of emission testing decreases.  Todays cars pollute over 98% LESS than those of two decades ago.  Other states have been smart enough to realise that at this point testing is becoming redundant.

I would agree with the fact a lot of older cars are quickly finding their way to the dump because they have either been wrecked, cost to much to repair (worn out) and or the fuel mileage is so bad you need to pull a second mortgage out just to fuel up (my neighbors 83 Suburban comes to mind).

At the same time I have been stuck behind quite a few newer cars bleaching out blue, black smoke because they have been poorly maintained.

[NT-OUTBACK]

I've always wondered what would happen if CA moved its smog year from 1975 up to, oh say 1985? What, in your opinion, would be the increase (in percentage) of cars between '76-85 that would find their way back on the streets that are otherwise not in use today? (Note: this would NOT include your '76-85 vehicle that currently runs and is in use,  unless it was on the brink of failing a smog test)

What I have noticed is, while I have not seen a lot of older cars reappear on the road after it was moved up to 75. I noticed the prices for cars that were otherwise expendable mainly 70's VW bugs and Buses go through the roof . Years ago I would buy these models remove the drive train and trash the rest since no one wanted a bug that had to be smogged.  (later models had stronger cases for the Type 1's) 

[abnormaltoy]

I blame it all on secret societies.

[BigMike]

What I have noticed is, while I have not seen a lot of older cars reappear on the road after it was moved up to 75. I noticed the prices for cars that were otherwise expendable mainly 70's VW bugs and Buses go through the roof . Years ago I would buy these models remove the drive train and trash the rest since no one wanted a bug that had to be smogged.  (later models had stronger cases for the Type 1's) 

Yeah, definitely the demand will change, but I just don't see *a whole* lot more getting back on the road. Obviously there will be the niche crowds such as us, who, would go nuts in CA if we did not have to smog and 1979-85 Hilux truck, but other than these groups, I bet the overall increase would be low.

[Tallchevy]

I think they should only smog vehicles that are carb'd. What do you think.

[NT-OUTBACK]

I think they should only smog vehicles that are carb'd. What do you think.

Equal opportunity for all

[BigMike]

Bad idea.