Friday, September 28, 2012
California SMOG
I now understand why many Californians register their vehicles out of state. Just spent $1,000.00 + to try to register my 2001 Dodge pickup. It was running excellent and had current tags on it. When I went into smog it, it failed because of a check engine light on. Turns out the PCM ( powertrain control module) had an internal error and needed to be replaced. Even though it had passed the tailpipe emissions test and visual inspection part of the test. Two trips and $698.00 later at the Dodge dealership 45 miles away in Chico, the PCM is fixed. $160.00 in DMV registration fees , $45.00 in smog test fees, $90.00 in fuel . Now the Readiness Test Sensonrs for the OBD ( On Board Diagnostics) have to reset themselves through a series of driving conditions up to several hundred miles before the sensors reset and the smog can be tested again. How is this good for the environment???? So then I will be able to drive it to another $45.00 smog test if they reset properly. The people of California need to change these ridiculous ill-conceived programs that keep good running vehicles that pass tailpipe emissions and people that pay their registration from getting screwed over. Abolish visual smog equipment inspection and all computer related testing!!! It should be tailpipe testing only. If someone can make their vehicle run cleaner let them. This is not helping the environment or the people of California.