Moby's First Smog Check

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
It really is hard for me to believe that we've actually had Moby for over 5 years now but, here we are at last and, it's finally time for him to get his very first California State mandated smog check. I have to say, if it were just a matter of doing a sniff test, I wouldn't have been so nervous but, being that we have to pass a visual inspection as well, I have to say that I was a bit concerned. Of course, being turned away from 3 test station without even popping open his hood didn't do anything to elevate those concerns but, I did finally find a place that would give him a look and this is how it went.

At least this test station was nice enough to let me know they were concerned that the 40" tires might be a bit too big to safely test on the dyno. Still, they decided to at least give things a look...
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Here goes nothing!! I have to admit, Moby looks like he could jump the dyno at any moment - I cautiously took a step to the side...
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And finally, this is the part that burns me. In spite of all the worries about not passing due to technicalities in the visual inspection, Moby passed with flying colors. In fact, the test mechanic even took the time to remark at just how clean Moby runs...
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Looks like Moby is free for 2 years and then, we get to do this all over again :rolleyes2:
 
Lets just hope u don't go bigger tires or it will be harder to find a shop haha :beer:

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As a dmv or (mvd to be correct) employee here in AZ I cant tell you how many people I help who are so worried to get their vehicles emissioned or smog checked and then pass the test with flying colors! Glad to hear the test went smooth! :thumbup:

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Glad to here you passed dont have to go thru this where I'm at in Illinois, but if the move to the Phoenix area does happen in the next year or so I guess I will be dealing with this as well
 
We have to get smog checked every year, but we certainly don't get on a dyno. They lug in to the OBDII, and I think still put a sensor in the tailpipe, and that's it.
 
Is this a private facility that does the inspections or gov't inspection stations?

Here we have gov't facilities, all vehicles 7 years and older. Everything goes on the dyno. There were a few "incidents" when they first opened up with vehicles that were not full time 4wd being full time 4wd and taking off from the dyno (full time were exempt from drive test, only had idle test). You are not allowed to drive your vehicle for the test unless its a special case (ie fat man no fit in tiny English kit car). 4wheel dynos were later installed. All vehicles that "could" be 4wd now go on the 4 wheel dyno.
Though they recently changed the regs, basically OBDII vehciles just get plugged in, computer says OK, way you go.

No visual inspections though under the hood. They just check to make sure your cat and muffler are attached.

Jeep had no problems going though in the fall. Last weekend I took my Tercel though. It passed easily, but for two days it was just pissed off and did not run like it should.
 
We have to get smog checked every year, but we certainly don't get on a dyno. They lug in to the OBDII, and I think still put a sensor in the tailpipe, and that's it.

Nope. No tail pipe test depending on the year. All electronic. Just don't change your battery right beforehand as it resets all the stored data.
 
Nope. No tail pipe test depending on the year. All electronic. Just don't change your battery right beforehand as it resets all the stored data.

Yep, your are correct. I couldn't remember if my Jeep got it in the tailpipe. ;)
 
I think the CARB law has changed or about to change here in CA. The tail pipe emmisions test will no longer be used in the newer auto's. Only the visual, and electronic test's will be done.

I'm glad Moby passed.:clap2:
 
My first

I have to do my first one in the next couple of weeks. I guess that means we bought our Jeeps around the same time:thumb:
 
Nope. No tail pipe test depending on the year. All electronic. Just don't change your battery right beforehand as it resets all the stored data.

I think California is going this route also. No tail pipe sniff..

EDIT: Just like Bondsy said in his post. I should of read them all. :)
 
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Nice. Like Sharkey and MTG said we have to get it done annually here in Nevada. What were you concerned about on the visual inspection?
 
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