SoCal General Chat

[JFarhanbod]

Took my 6 to get smogged and when he put the info on the computer it said it needed to go to a referee station. The guy said starting jan 1 2013 all cars pre 2000 have to go to the ref station. Is this true? If it is my e30 is fucked.

[semaj4712]

This smog shit is getting outa hand

[ethrtyiS]

seriously. i'm going to be screwed too. my car barely passes smog how i have it setup. i'd have to go out and get a stock mid section and put it back to stock. :/

[ToPLeSS(e30)FeinD]

dont even start, the turbo guys are FUCKED

[ethrtyiS]

california regulations ain't the business.

[semaj4712]

Well, based on this, it sounds like if your car is not throwing codes you may be fine...

http://www.examiner.com/article/introducing-ab2289-california-s-new-smog-law-that-you-need-to-know-about

[ToPLeSS(e30)FeinD]

am i missing something or is that just on cars post 98?
in case your weird.. like me

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_2251-2300/ab_2289_bill_20100218_introduced.html

[ethrtyiS]

only for cars manufactured after 1999.

[ToPLeSS(e30)FeinD]

oh... so we are exempt?

[ak-]

What's going on -.-

[ethrtyiS]

no no, now anything pre 99 must go to a STAR smog stations which have the highest performance ratings. so basically, from my understanding, nothing really has changed, we still need to get smog checked like normal.

basically it changes 5 areas:
1. authorize the use of obd II testing to expedite the process.
2. vehicles known to release large amounts of pollution must test at stations with the highest performance ratings.
3. stricter fines structure for improper inspections.
4. permit the state to contract with the private sector to manage franchise-like networks of independently owned smog check stations.
5. encourage community colleges and other training institutions to develop technician-training programs.

[2ean]

So if we "know someone wink wink," chances are they won't be a STAR station, correct?

[semaj4712]

Oh yea, I read that wrong, but yea like travis said, it really doesnt seem to change too much

[JFarhanbod]

From what I understood, it doesn't even matter if we know someone. It has to go to a ref station aka pierce college. As soon as the info went into the computer, the screen turned red and it said ref station.

[ak-]

From what I understood, it doesn't even matter if we know someone. It has to go to a ref station aka pierce college. As soon as the info went into the computer, the screen turned red and it said ref station.

It was probably in the system prior to your ownership for whatever reason.
Is the car salvage or did the DMV tell you anything abnormal when trying to register it?