My 96 odge 3500 tractor hauler passed smog

Every two years California requires a smog check by a licensed smog station. Every time it's a struggle. Just a few things I have gone through to pass. One year something in the transmission had to be changed, Another time I had to get different computer. Then I passed smog another time, but the cats had the wrong number Had to install new catalectic converter's. I should have gone to the referee for that one. This year it was an oxygen sensor. Burned up a lot of gas, with the V10 resetting the computer. Stan

Good god I'm glad I don't live there. On a somewhat related note, we bought a 1980 Ford dump truck that came out of Orange County (LA). Had an aftermarket exhaust filter on it. The regen didn't work but I kept driving it anyway and when the exhaust filter/muffler plugged, it got chopped off. Runs and sounds like a beast now.

Such a lot of worry about a little nothing. I think we should just sign California back to Mexico and solve that portion of the problem.

Good god I'm glad I don't live there.
X2

Do these smog tests apply to commercial vehicles only, or to all vehicles??

Can you have a different shop check over your truck and fix it before hand so it will pass the test the first time?

In 1975, I helped by brother drive from MI to CA for his first job out of college. He had a 1968 Fairlane 500 with a 289 w/9,000 miles on it. We averaged 25 mpg from Detroit to San Francisco. After he registered it in CA and they added the smog equipment, it never ran worth a darn and barely got 15 mpg over the next 10 years. Sure did do a lot for the environment.

The EPA just approved to end emission inspection in the county I live in. We will still have the useless safety and check the emission parts are still on but no check if they work. I predict most will drop state inspections as it was already a lost leader. Take away the emission part of it why do it. I vote the state take it over and we all know how will that will go as far as the cost.

How much is the cost of an inspection out your way, its $30 in NC that is for a safety and emissions.
A bare bones inspection machine cost 5K up to add a few nice extras like wireless 7K. You have to have a dedicated phone line that does not work 80% of the time its on dial up. You have to take 8hr of class every two years that runs $80 its all a repeat : ( the same old thing. There are a few other things you have to have that cost $$$.

All this for a whopping $23 a pop the state gets the other $7. Let say it does not pass you have to inspect it free as many times as its presented for the next 60 days.

If you spend $200 trying to fix an emission issue they will issue a wavier good for a year. That sounds good its a very time consuming process for both party's. Most any violation is a felony get your pocket book out you are going to meet a federal judge eye to eye.

Emission checks are for the last 20 year models safety for the last 30 year models.

This post was edited by Hobo,NC on 06/25/2022 at 05:13 am.

25 MPG?

I believe that. Local guy here has a very old crown Vic I think that is what it was. It is 50- early 60 car. He has it completely rebuilt original and it does 30 mpg. That is not estimated. If you dont believe a carb engine can be made to do better you should look up on utube where 2 guys make a trip like dumb and dumber did in a movie.
Rode a mini hog 200 miles. First gallon tank of gas did 26 miles. Them they changed jets in it and got 62 miles.
Over double with a little change in a jet. That made me rethink what some of my dads stories of the 60s made more sense. He talked about a couple guys that always modified there carbs and always brushed on fuel mileage.

In Texas, there is a safety inspection on all vehicles and trailers over a certain size, and in the emission controlled counties gas powered cars and trucks go by the check engine light. If it's on, no pass regardless of the reason. There is also a visual inspection and a gas cap test. I think it goes back 25 years.

All done through the internet connection to the state, the vin is scanned, hard to beat. Once it passes then you can buy the registration.

But there are ways around it, I see old beaters running around with a current sticker that could never pass either safety or emissions!

You can take it to the bank. Still have the log I kept. 2452 miles, 98 gallons of gas. We drove straight through, 48 hrs.

That makes lots of sense, since California doesn't share its atmosphere with the rest of the planet or anything.

My brother left me a few vehicles. One was his Volvo FE7 he hauled his cattle with, it had under 75,000 miles. Since I didn't want to up grade it for a lot om money. I traded it to a tree company for some tree work. It still sits at my place. Stan

I think about the old days every time I go in for inspection........there was ALWAYS a problem with headlights needing adjusting which carried an extra charge. Not sure if today's plastic containers have anything to do with it no longer being required/executed, but it's no longer done on my vehicles. I get my 2011 Silverado inspected at the dealer where I bought it new. I trust them.

Emission check first step does the check engine light function... What the ell has that got to do with it. The bulb can be burnt out the systems works just fine if there is an issue it will show up on a scan.

When a undercover inspector shows up its always they defeated the blub. It does make it easy to know its a undercover inspection and not a hidden emission device they tapered with. In reality I often wonder how defeating the bulb would hold up in court. How can a defeated bulb affect emissions.

Makes you wonder if youre turning a profit with your side jobs. Im not gigging you sir. I surely go thru the same issues with my equipment. Just the price of doing business with older equipment. Cost too much to always buying new though. Just say. Wingnut