|
What is a Test Only Center?
A Test Only Center is just that - a smog test
only facility. No diagnostics nor repairs can be
performed at a Test Only Center - just a smog inspection, or if
you will, smog check, smog test, smog exam, whatever you want to call
it. The equipment and Smog Check Procedure is the same at a Test Only
Center and a Test and Repair Facility.
Test Only Centers were created shortly after
the introduction of BAR 97, California's latest vehicle smog inspection
program. Prior to BAR 97, all smog inspection facilities were allowed to
perform smog diagnostics and repairs. Now only certified emissions
repair technicians at Test and Repair Facilities are allowed to perform
emissions diagnostics and repairs.
Test Only Centers provide a sort of "Checks
and Balances" for the smog inspection program. It is my understanding
that the data collected at a Test Only Center is what the State
of California uses primarily to evaluate the effectiveness of the
program.
In addition, Test Only Centers are subjected
to a higher rate of undercover vehicles by the Department of Consumer
Affairs than Test and Repair Centers as one way of maintaining the
integrity of the program.
Why was a Test Only Center
Created?
The way I understand it, the cost of the new
equipment raised the smog check price so much that consumers were forced
to call around for estimates more than ever before. In order to get more
business, some facilities lowered their prices to the point (I have
personally seen prices as low as $9.99) that the only way to make any
money was to cheat. Imagine paying for the equipment, calibration gases,
phone charges, insurance, technician salaries, etc. and only charging
less than ten dollars a smog check? As you can imagine, this promoted
fraud which has been well documented by the Department of Consumer
Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair Division.
What many shops were doing was failing vehicles
intentionally and selling "repairs". Since consumers were being "ripped
off" and the smog inspection data being collected was inaccurate, this
prompted the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs to step
in to both protect the consumer and to maintain the integrity of the
program. Thus, the creation of Test Only Centers.
Why do I have to go to a Test
Only Center when I never had to before?
This is not such a bad thing given why the Test
Only Centers were created in the first place. I have been doing smog
inspections both as a Test and Repair Center and now as a Test Only
Center. I can tell you that I have never wanted a vehicle to pass as
badly as I do now. There is no incentive for the vehicle to fail at a
Test Only Center since no repairs can be performed, especially if a
retest is performed at a discounted rate. The only incentive is for the
vehicle to pass which translates into savings for the customer.
Some reasons for vehicles being referred to a Test
Only Center are if the vehicle is labeled as a High Emitter
Profile (HEP), a Gross Polluter, or maybe it is just
selected randomly. This could be due to several reasons - age
being one of them. The older the vehicle becomes, the higher the
possibility that it may fail and the State wants to keep a closer eye on
these vehicles. This is not to say that Test and Repair Facilities
cannot come up with the same results, but I guess that maybe Test Only
Centers may be prone to be more consistent since they are under closer
scrutiny.
HEP vehicles are vehicles that have
established a pattern of emitting higher than normal emissions as they
get older.
A "Gross Polluter" is a vehicle originally
tested and having failed at a Test and Repair Center with emissions
results high enough where it is labeled a "Gross Polluter" by the
State of California. It then has to be certified at a Test Only
Center.
The State wants to track these vehicles and their
repairs because only one percent of vehicles are "Gross Polluters"
but they emit ninety nine percent of vehicle smog (latest stats that I
have heard). Also, the State wants to check some vehicle models randomly
to see what the emissions trends are on them.
Some vehicles may have been tested by the same Test
and Repair shop since they were new and of course, customer loyalty
could promote shops from failing vehicles when maybe they should.
Should I tune up my car or
change the oil before the smog check?
Not unless you definitely know that your car is not
running properly due to the oil being dirty or because of the tune up. I
have seen many people spend a lot of money on vehicle repairs prior to
the smog check only to find that their vehicle failed the smog check and
the repairs performed were not at all related to the reason the vehicle
failed the test. Since the retest is discounted for thirty days, bring
it in first and let's hope it passes the first time. This way you won't
throw your money away.
As for the oil, in my opinion, if it is bad enough to
make a difference in the results of the test, you will notice it in the
way your vehicle is running. If it is bad enough to make a difference in
the way it is running, you will have other problems which will prompt
you to take it into the shop for repairs long before your smog check is
required.
Having said that, your oil should be changed every
three thousand miles unless you don't keep a car for very long. In this
case you can follow the minimum factory warranty recommendation which is
much higher. Remember, they are higher for warranty reasons only, not
for longevity.
What do I do if my car fails?
If your car fails at a Test Only Center,
emissions repairs must be performed at a Test and Repair Facility.
Following the repairs, you then return to the Test Only Center to be
certified.
What if I cannot afford the
Smog Repair(s)?
The State of California offers Consumer Assistance
for those who qualify under the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). For
more information on this program, log onto
www.smogcheck.ca.gov.
In the meantime, if your vehicle has failed the smog
check and the vehicle registration has expired or about to, I recommend
my customers visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or the Auto
Club of Southern California (AAA - if they are members) and pay the
vehicle registration fees and then request a Temporary Operating Permit
so that they can drive the car legally during the repair process. The
DMV will issue a Temporary Operating Permit for up to 60 days.
There so happens to be a AAA office about 1 block
from here (Community Smog Center).
Can the Test Only Center refer
failed vehicles to a specific Repair Shop?
No. A Test Only Center cannot refer any
one specific Test and Repair Facility for smog related repairs. The
Test Only Center has to provide customers whose cars have failed the
smog check with a list of certified Test and Repair shops in their area.
The shops on this list have to be included in the list of certified Test
and Repair shops as determined by the State of California. These shops
are all included in the Department of Consumer affairs website
www.smogcheck.ca.gov. If you
don't feel comfortable with any of the facilities on the list given to
you, you can find a complete list on the website or by calling (800)
952-5210.
For
an official clarification of the role of a Test Only Center,
visit www.smogcheck.ca.gov. |
|
Why should I go to a Test
Only Center for my smog check?
Being a Test
Only Center, I know that this may sound like a biased statement,
but it's the truth. Many of our customers are not referred to a
Test Only Center but they still come here for their smog check.
Here are just a few reasons:
-
Given the reason
for the creation of Test Only Centers by the State of
California.
-
There is no
incentive for a vehicle to fail here.
-
Keep the Test
and Repair Facility honest. By this I mean that if your vehicle
should fail for any reason, you can take the printout of the test
results to different Test and Repair shops before you have any
repairs performed to get an estimate and to discuss the repair
procedures. This is especially good if you question what the first
Test and Repair shop you visit may be telling you.
-
Many, many years
of smog check experience. This translates into a speedy smog check
and time saved. Also, we like to think that we give your vehicle
the best opportunity to pass the smog check, legally, of course.
-
Our location
Community Smog Center is centrally located on the southeast corner
of Honolulu Ave. and Verdugo Blvd.. For those not familiar with
the area, this is diagonally across the street from Rocky Cola
Cafe and only a block away from the Auto Club.
-
Plus others.
Do I have to go to a Test and Repair Facility for
Repairs?
The State of
California says that you do. I have to say that smog related repairs
are not as easy as some people like to think. Unless you have the
proper equipment and training, it is very difficult, if not
impossible, to get the vehicle to pass the smog inspection retest.
I have found that
those who have their vehicles repaired at Test and Repair shops
following the initial smog inspection failure, the customer is less
stressed because the repairs are performed according to protocol and
the vehicle passes the retest.
Those that do not
go to certified repair shops and have their vehicle fail the retest
are usually very unhappy and get stressed out because they have
thrown away their money on unnecessary repairs. They now find
themselves in a quandary. Do they go directly to a Test and Repair
shop and spend more money? Or do they go back to the shop that they
just went to because they just paid them money and try to get
"warranty" repairs? If they didn't do it right the first time and
don't have the proper equipment, will they do it right the second
time? Do they try to get their money back and then go to a Test and
Repair shop? Or do they just let their money go? Decisions,
decisions...
Here at
Community Smog Center, most of the time that repairs are
performed by other than Certified Smog Repair Technicians, the
vehicles fail the retest. this usually results in a very unhappy
customer...and into wasted money for the consumer. Definitely have
repairs performed at a Test and Repair shop.
I go to the Dealership for
all my repairs. Can I go there for smog repairs?
Yes, if they are a
Test and Repair Facility.
However, I find
that in my area, most Dealerships are not Certified Test and Repair
Facilities. This means that they do not have the proper equipment
and are not familiar with the smog inspection procedure which
usually results in vehicles not passing the retest. Make sure that
you check with your Dealership to make sure they are a Test and
Repair Facility prior to having emissions repairs performed.
Dealerships that do not perform smog inspections normally means
that they do not have the equipment nor a certified emissions
technician.
Having said this,
if your car is under warranty, then you should return to the
Dealership for warranty repairs. In addition, I believe that in the
case of some exotic vehicles where the Dealership may be more
qualified to perform the required repairs, I believe the Smog Check
program makes some allowance for these vehicles to return to the
Dealership for emissions repairs.
I have been doing
smog inspections for a very long time and I have yet to be able to
determine the emissions levels by smelling the exhaust fumes. One
needs the equipment to measure the output levels and to verify that
repairs have been successful.
One of the things
that upsets people the most is when they take their car to the
Dealership for smog repairs and it still fails the retest. Some
believe that the Dealership is the best at everything, including
smog repairs when in fact, if you don't have the proper equipment
and training as required by the current emissions program, it is
very difficult if not impossible to perform and verify your repairs,
regardless of who you are and where you work. The smog inspection
protocol and emission repair procedure and/or requirements as
outlined by the State of California are taught in the emissions
program training and certification process.
Can the owner of a Test
Only Center own a Test and Repair Center?
It is illegal for
the owner of a Test Only Center to own a Test and Repair
Facility within 50 miles of each other. This is to dissuade
customers from having their vehicles repaired at a Test and Repair
Facility owned by the same owner of the Test Only Center
where it failed. This also helps protect the integrity of the
program.
Do you perform smog checks
on Motorhomes or big trucks?
Yes. We have
plenty of room for Motorhomes and for big trucks. Please call ahead
for specific procedures on these vehicles.
Please don't Forget your Smog
Check Coupon.
Print a Smog Coupon for your Smog Check Discount.
No coupon, no discount. |
|
