Smog Check exemption expires in Califronia on Dec. 2014

Oh NOoooooo

 

Does anybody think that Priuses will fail this check?

 

It's not about passing or failing.....it's paying the darn fee to do it. I wonder how they are going to do this? The smog check systems in CA have to change and all the techs have to be trained on hybrids.

 

Great...

 

So how do they perform the test? Is there a hidden option in the car to enable it to perform such a test? Otherwise once the engine is up to temperature the engine will switch off, which is why they've never done the test before. Here in the UK the Prius is exempt from the emissions test purely because it can't be done, or at least not in the same way as other vehicles.

 

It is easy to do. No worries.

 

Is it possible that the current exemption expires in December, but may be extended to a later date?

 

Turning on the car in "maintenance mode". It's the sequence of double pedal presses and p-n-p switching often referenced for driving without the traction control. When turned on that way putting in P keeps the ICE always on.

 

Does that allow you to rev the engine to a continuous 2/3000 rpm as mandated on our emission tests?

 

Yes, more the throttle pedal is pushed more the ICE revs faster like in a conventional car, I don't remember what is the maximum RPM it reaches but it's above 2000.

 

Good to know. You'll know that pressing the accelerator now just causes the engine to fire up, run for a little while and then switch off.

Saying all this, I dread to think what the emissions of my Prius are.

 

These new smog checks being performed on cars 2000 and newer will no longer require an emission test. Just a visual and functional check. The fuctional checks the OBD system for DTCs and readiness status. I tried to run a smog check on a 2005. I couldn't get it to idle under 1100rpm for 30 seconds.

 

I'm sure the guy who's doing the smog check will run the HV battery down to 2 bars before the actual test begins.

 

You mean by parking in Neutral with the a/c running despite being asked not to? They seem to all do it. Grrr

 

Unfortunately, Maryland also ended the exemption from Vehicle Emissions Inspections for the Prius and similar vehicles last year. I had to my get my first Prius emissions test in April 2014. The test fee is $14.00 which isn't that bad. The worse part is having to go to the test station, wait in line, etc. The test itself is a simple plug-in to the computer Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) under the steering wheel and a gas cap test to see if it leaks, not the old tailpipe exhaust measurement while the car is running on a treadmill.

 

Sounds like another CA money grab. There's not a doubt in my mind the Prius would pass; now we just get to pay smog fees, one of the primary reasons of my hybrid purchase!

 

Well, the original exemption only lasted until January 1, 2010, so it's apparently already been extended at least once.
Calif-Select Hybrids Exempt frm Smog Test until 2010 | PriusChat

Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

 

Oh boy. I'm going to have some problems. I just got a registration renewal for my err, umm, 2008 Prius which has registration due on Dec 08, 2014. While I know this should be in the Gen II forum for my car, this is the most current thread I found on this topic so I thought I'd post up to verify that, yes, renewal notices are indeed going out and they state that SMOG Cert is required. This LINK I found confirms that the BAR is stating that Hybrids are subjected to the BAR OIS test. You can see what they do by looking at this LINK if you're curious as I was (on how to possible get away with what I've been... uh... getting away with).

 

Will they adjust for % run time?