FUTURE SMOG and HOW

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING.....

The WAR ON SMOG from "mobile sources" (ANYTHING ON WHEELS) continues to proceed onto the next big step called "Remote Sensing." Early in 2006, the state began to install sensors and cameras on the side of freeway entrances to detect vehicles emitting high levels of pollutants, and then to photograph the license plates of the offending vehicles. They have the proven technology and several other states have implemented remote sensing already. The owners of high polluting vehicles will then receive a notification offering to either help the owner financially to get it repaired or to buy the vehicle back in order to scrap it. This "real world in real time" way of measuring vehicle emissions either bypasses the smog check program or supplements it, depending on your point of view. There has been talk of eliminating the existing smog check program all together in favor of using only remote sensing. Random roadside testing of recently "repaired and passed" vehicles reveals that some of those same vehicles are again failing so soon after their "repair" and certification. This plan is intended as an  effective countermeasure to the current programs short comings. So be watching your mailbox for that "Special Notification" from your big brother in Sacramento and if you need an explanation of your options or help with the application process give me a call or come by and let's see if I can help.

   AND SOON TO BE COMING TO A SMOG CHECK STATION NEAR YOU!  ENHANCED EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS TESTING....

The next step in making the smog check inspection more difficult to pass and more effective is by detecting additional sources of automobile and truck pollution and will probably be implemented by early in 2008. It will consist of an enhancement to the existing gas cap pressure test which is designed to identify vehicles which have defects in the fuel vapor recovery system responsible for storing and transporting fuel vapors formed in the fuel system and moving them into the engine where they can be burned. This extra test will only apply to vehicles which were made prior to the 1996 model year. Smog Check stations will be required to buy additional expensive equiptment in order to perform this added testing and most will pass on this cost to their customers in the form of higher test fees. Also, it is important to note that many more vehicles will fail this new testing and that the average estimated diagnostic and average repair costs are estimated to be around $160 per vehicle. One more important reason for you to know your options under the state sponsored repair program and let them worry about fixing it.