[net.auto] California emissions

mzp@uicsg.UUCP (03/22/84)

#N:uicsg:3400005:000:565
uicsg!mzp    Mar 20 14:45:00 1984

[gaggage]

  I would like to thank everyone for the tremendous response concerning
my question on California emissions.  I must admit, there does seem to be
a lot of confusion (either that or the law is confusing).  I think that I
will go by the advice of one particularly wise person:

		'Contact the DMV when you get out there.'

Whatever the case, it does seem unanimous that the cost should be small,
but estimates range from nothing to the $50 range.  That note of consistency
is reassuring.

				Thanks again,
				Mark Papamarcos
				ihnp4!uiucdcs!uicsg!mzp

lwall@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Larry Wall) (03/24/84)

In article <6309@uiucdcs.UUCP> mzp@uicsg.UUCP writes:
>Whatever the case, it does seem unanimous that the cost should be small,
>but estimates range from nothing to the $50 range.  That note of consistency
>is reassuring.

There is a $50 limit to what they can charge for repairs UNLESS YOU HAVE
MODIFIED YOUR EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM, in which case there is /*NO*\ limit.
Considering that almost all the expensive parts of your car can be considered
part of the emission control system, some people could be in for a shock.
We aren't just talking catalytic converters, but also carburators, filler
spouts, ignition...

And you won't be able to get them to lie about the test results, because
the approved test gizmo (computerized!) has a little recording tape in back
accessible only to the State.

Of course, if you drive something unmodified and in reasonable shape, it may
cost less than $50.  When I brought my '77 Honda Accord to California several
years ago, it cost me $17 to pass inspection.

Larry Wall
{allegra,burdvax,cbosgd,hplabs,ihnp4,sdcsvax}!sdcrdcf!lwall

roger@felix.UUCP (04/03/84)

When I brought my 1977 VW Scirocco to California and had
it certified, it cost me only the registration fee, as
it passed the test with no problem, and it was burning 
oil at the time.  Maybe these guys were lazy.

Roger Webster