[TonyB]

This morning I smogged my old Subaru wagon, mostly so I can leave my MCS at home during some project down-time this Winter...

As you might have guessed, they can't do the new dyno testing on all-wheel drive vehicles. The pricks still charged me the that price though (60 or so bucks). I called their other branch shops afterwards, and that is their policy... so everyone can pay for their expensive equipment, if they use it or not. Don't get me started

I learned that they cannot do cars on the dyno that are equipped with an LSD. If aftermkt, you can show them the paperwork (purchase and install), but they will still try it on the dyno nonetheless, apparently. And with that, for sure charge the full amount. That might change though...

I know that a few of you have or will get this item, and thought I would share. It might be worth mentioning when shopping around for a shop, and hopefully save you a few bucks...

[nulltty]

Is it just this x-name shop, or all CA smog shops in the bay area that can't do awd/4wd?? Isn't the new smog checks only new to the Bay Area, it conforms to the Los Angeles stricter smog checks? Sounds strange nevertheless...

What is even stranger is you bringing in a Subaru and them not even telling you they can't do awd until you had already forked over the $$ I don't think that shop is some place I would want to go for any type of service.

Regarding the LSD, what if you own a car w/ LSD and didn't know about it, what's the smog check tech gonna do or even know it's there?

[CalCooperS]

Actually cars that have awd/full time 4wd cars are to run the old two speed idle test instead of the new acceleration simulation mode test (dyno). Also cars that have non disengagble traction control are also exempt from the ASM, our Mini is not one of them. The shop can charge what every they want, although if you really think they charged to much for only performing a two speed idle test (which I do) you can try to contact the BAR. Bureau of Automotive Repair, the local office for San Jose is:

1361 S. Wincheter Blvd. Suite 206 (408)227-1860

I have not heard of an LSD being exempt from the ASM, the only reasons that the bar will accept for being exempt of the ASM is
-non disengagable traction control
-Full time FWD / AWD
-A heavy duty truck or 9,999 GVWR

[TonyB]

Thanks guys. I had the standard two speed test: idle, and I believe 2500 rpm. I knew going there (with my awd Subaru) that I would need this test, as opposed to this new type...

But, as the guy shared with me, LSD cars are proving not to be able to run on the dyno... as Cal said, probably b/c it is non disengagable traction control...

The name of the shop is Quality Tuneup. As I said, they all seem to have the same policy. I'd check around for those of you with awd, or, in this case, for some of our MINIs, LSD.

[red03miniS]

tony

if u have some friends, you can just send them a check, and they sent you a passed smog certificate. you dont even have to leave your house. LMAO

i love cali

[CalCooperS]

Quote: Originally Posted by red03miniS

tony

if u have some friends, you can just send them a check, and they sent you a passed smog certificate. you dont even have to leave your house. LMAO

i love cali

I'm assuming you mean fake smog certificates. People use to steal the certificate paper and print them out with their own computer, however I think the BAR caught on to that, they know which certificates are fake by the serial number on the certificate. That's why the new ehanced ASM smog doesn't give you a smog certificate, instead the machine sends the information through the computer to the DMV letting them know you passed.

The only way to get your car to pass if your going to fail for sure, is to find a shop that is willing to clean pipe it for a couple hundred bucks.

[jlm]

do I see a Bush supporter recommending we circumvent an environmental law? tut, tut.

[red03miniS]

Quote: Originally Posted by CalCooperS

I'm assuming you mean fake smog certificates. People use to steal the certificate paper and print them out with their own computer, however I think the BAR caught on to that, they know which certificates are fake by the serial number on the certificate. That's why the new ehanced ASM smog doesn't give you a smog certificate, instead the machine sends the information through the computer to the DMV letting them know you passed.

The only way to get your car to pass if your going to fail for sure, is to find a shop that is willing to clean pipe it for a couple hundred bucks.

no sir you misunderstood me
not a fake smog certificate.

i would rather not explain in intricate detail, but go back and re read waht i wrote

more like vin swapping

btw ifur a cal bear..go bears..i am a call bear myself

[red03miniS]

Quote: Originally Posted by jlm

do I see a Bush supporter recommending we circumvent an environmental law? tut, tut.

haha good one john
waht wheels are u runing btw..saw a pic of ur car in the gallery of vdubdoug..looked like at an autocross..wtih nice 15s.

anywhoo..this is the performance section. if we were so concerned about the environment, we wouldnt be all going to atco and running on teh dragstrip and racing and wasting gas now would we



yeah i love bush, dont give a rats ass about the environment, live in cali

haha back to smog

[TonyB]

Just an update:

The BAR phone number in SJ is 277-1860 (slight typo above). I spoke with Jim there and he said that it is up to each shop how much they want to charge for each of the two tests. He did say that quite a few of these shops are charging the same to amortize the equipment...

I asked about LSD, and he thought that it might work, but could see where it might not... If the computer says that a particular car should work on this new test, and if it does not due to such a mod, then it might be deemed illegal by CA standards. It can go the referee who can then allow it (or not) to take the two speed test...

Anyone of us in CA, with LSD, go for smog yet????