I found out that I can do the Maryland emissions test and save $4 using a self-service kiosk so watched a video on line to find out how to do this. However, I cannot find the port where you plug in the emissions meter! I saw some previous posts asking this question and the answer was it is to the left of the steering wheel and somewhere near the gas cap lever. One reply was "Oh, it was right in front of my nose!" Is this something that can be seen from a normal position because I have looked all around and do not see it? Is there a cover? I can feel something when I put my hand underneath the dash, to the right the gas cap lever and towards the back. Is that it? I am not able to see it unless I contort myself into an impossible position on the floor. I'd much appreciate it if someone would describe the location and post a picture because I have no idea what to look for. 2016 Prius
Stick your head right into the driver's footwell, until your head touches the pedals. Rotate your head like an owl 180 degrees to look up towards the bottom of the plastic panel near to where the driver's knee would be, and you should see it, just tucked behind that panel, pointing towards the floor. It looks like an old SCART TV socket.
Thanks. So yeah, totally visible right in front of my nose as long as my head is on the floor under the panel facing up, right?
It's easy to get confused. Gen 4 it's to the left of the steering column (above the parking brake pedal). I believe to a little to the right of that on the Gen 3 Prius (closer to the steering column). The port on the 2016 Prius (gen 4) is shown at the beginning of the video below (0:21 in the video)
Thanx. I believe I was wrong about the Gen 3 Prius too (now corrected). On Gen 3 vehicles I believe it's to the left of the steering column (not right) but closer to the brake, not the parking break.
WAIT! You can do the emissions test yourself? That would be really helpful here in California where they pop the hood of the car, look at, close the hood and charge you $50 or more.
50 bucks??!! In Maryland, the emissions test (every two years) costs $14, or $10 at the do-it-yourself kiosk. This is the first time I saw this option. When I got the notice, it said it costs less at the 24-hour kiosk, but didn't explain what it was. I thought it was just a different payment option. But when I went to the website, I saw that you can actually do the test yourself.
The first time it's difficult, because, as you say, you have "to get down there" with a flashlight to see what you're doing. After that, however, after you become familiar with how the dongle is oriented to plug in, you can do seated in the driver seat. The dongle is keyed. If you get it wrong the first time, just flip it around and try it again.
