Just received my renewal notice and as expected I have to do that joke of a test. I figure it will be even easier than my Jetta TDI since hybrids are exempt from the smoke test. Basically check the OBD II readiness indicators and a visual check to see if there are any emission components OBVIOUSLY missing. Anyway, I thought it would be nice to have a thread where people can report what happened during their "test". I plan on doing mine with in the week so I'll report back what happened.
The car does a very good job of tracking the parameters that ensure compliant emissions. And OBD2 DTC readiness check is a very valid way to confirm emissions. It's not as effective as a sniffer test, but it's close, and it takes MUCH less time. They don't just check for missing components, many check for COMPLIANT components, e.g., they check the upper cat to ensure it's OEM and not aftermarket.
True, I've had smog techs tell me that they have checked OBD II cars using the non-sniffer test and they would pass. Next they repeated the test using the old style sniffer test, and were surprised at the number of cars that exceeded the standards and would have failed! However, CARB is now more focused on revenue generation than actual emissions, so it doesn't care. Remember, I've already been through two of these tests with my Jetta TDI, and I've seen what they check - the visual is cursory unless you get an AR tech or piss the tech off! I'm heading out to get the test done this morning so I'll report what happens. As for the "much less time", I switched techs because the old place charged the same as for the more intensive sniffer test. The place I started going to back in 2014, charges much less even for my 1990 Miata that requires the sniffer test! I think I paid only $40.00 total for the Miata last month.
OK, here are the results: Passed, of course. Cost $35.00. I saw that this is the cost for 2000 MY and newer; older is $5.00 more (as reflected by my Miata test).
Smog test required so it was off to Foothill Quicky Smog this morning. Foothill Quicky Smog | Star Certified Smog Station - StarSmogCenter - Your Friendly Neighbor For Your Smog Check Needs! Got there a couple of minutes after they opened and I was the first customer for the day. For anyone in the area they said it's like that often right when they open but this place is usually really busy by 9:30 or 10. $35.00 (test + state certificate) and less than 10 minutes later I was on my way. Now it's off to AAA to renew the tags. That's the part that really hurts ($191) but at least I don't have to mess with a DMV office.
Yep I recently had to get my prius smogged as well. They just check OBD2 DTC Readiness. Passed waste of money lol.
