California Smog Testing Will Now Sniff Out (and Fail) Tuned ECUs
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,615
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From: Granite Bay, CA
I'm not agreeing with the logic, especially since Leno's law has been effectivley killed before it even came to a vote. I'm just stating the why it happened.
Prior to that, cars were put on dynos and if you passed the emmisions standards on the sniffer, you were largely good to go. If you obviously deleted SMOG equipment, then you would likely fail the visual insepction.
Fun Fact, my 1997 Chevy truck gets selected for a special smog check every time even though it has never failed...
Prior to that, cars were put on dynos and if you passed the emmisions standards on the sniffer, you were largely good to go. If you obviously deleted SMOG equipment, then you would likely fail the visual insepction.
Fun Fact, my 1997 Chevy truck gets selected for a special smog check every time even though it has never failed...
Member
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 83
Likes: 20
From: Orillia, ON
In Ontario (Canada) some years ago, they got rid of emissions testing for passenger cars, after having the program for a couple decades or so. Do I miss it? Not as such, but...
I agree with the original intent of the program, and ALSO agree with Tomkatb's view that as modern cars have gotten cleaner, and older cars have largely gotten off the road, its necessity has reduced. That said, the problem we've been replaced with is that since there also isn't any kind of MOT or regular safety or emissions inspection, you've had a lot of people who have basically gutted their emissions system in favour of running really loud and irritating.
So in my view, I would have liked if we had kept some kind of yearly or bi-annually inspection at least to make sure everything is intact and running right, even if it's not strictly an emissions test. At least it would've raised the bar somewhat for these fartcans.
I agree with the original intent of the program, and ALSO agree with Tomkatb's view that as modern cars have gotten cleaner, and older cars have largely gotten off the road, its necessity has reduced. That said, the problem we've been replaced with is that since there also isn't any kind of MOT or regular safety or emissions inspection, you've had a lot of people who have basically gutted their emissions system in favour of running really loud and irritating.
So in my view, I would have liked if we had kept some kind of yearly or bi-annually inspection at least to make sure everything is intact and running right, even if it's not strictly an emissions test. At least it would've raised the bar somewhat for these fartcans.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 273
Likes: 125
From: San Diego
Love watching these debates.
Ohio spent a fortune instituting a comprehensive smog testing program. Billions of dollars.
After a long run of operation they shut the whole system down
Engineering 101. Due to more modern cars etc, There was no improvement in air quality. None. Other things like not burning much coal etc. Made all the difference. Old cars limping along and belching smoke do not run long. The problem sort of takes care of itself. Ohio logic. Do you really think stopping a few thousand folks from getting tuners is going to matter in the scheme of things?
When legislators with no knowledge make decisions the result is predictable.
For the ignorant, every gallon of gas carries a tax for road maintenance. Those with electric cars pay nothing. Therefore they should pay their fair share. Governmental agents were trying to fool you into thinking electric cars were much cheaper. Until the stuff hits the fan. Less road and bridge maintenance.
In California they have energy problems. Baloney new laws about all of it just make the situation worse. Windmills and solar farms are an expensive luxury. If built properly they are very expensive. But, the powers to be kind of ignore that. One day Engineering 101 will get you. There is no way to economically store electricity And no, there is no economical way to move it from Ohio to California. Their rule about all new homes having solar and battery back ups is admitting the obvious. Get me to pay for your decisions. . You know electricity costs in California are awful now.
Engineering 101 again If everyone in California had an electric car they would need a new term for common and long blackouts. Oopsie maybe? Or a Gavin? No problem. Add $60,000 to the price of the house
Gees Dear, open me another bag of popcorn.
Ohio spent a fortune instituting a comprehensive smog testing program. Billions of dollars.
After a long run of operation they shut the whole system down
Engineering 101. Due to more modern cars etc, There was no improvement in air quality. None. Other things like not burning much coal etc. Made all the difference. Old cars limping along and belching smoke do not run long. The problem sort of takes care of itself. Ohio logic. Do you really think stopping a few thousand folks from getting tuners is going to matter in the scheme of things?
When legislators with no knowledge make decisions the result is predictable.
For the ignorant, every gallon of gas carries a tax for road maintenance. Those with electric cars pay nothing. Therefore they should pay their fair share. Governmental agents were trying to fool you into thinking electric cars were much cheaper. Until the stuff hits the fan. Less road and bridge maintenance.
In California they have energy problems. Baloney new laws about all of it just make the situation worse. Windmills and solar farms are an expensive luxury. If built properly they are very expensive. But, the powers to be kind of ignore that. One day Engineering 101 will get you. There is no way to economically store electricity And no, there is no economical way to move it from Ohio to California. Their rule about all new homes having solar and battery back ups is admitting the obvious. Get me to pay for your decisions. . You know electricity costs in California are awful now.
Engineering 101 again If everyone in California had an electric car they would need a new term for common and long blackouts. Oopsie maybe? Or a Gavin? No problem. Add $60,000 to the price of the house
Gees Dear, open me another bag of popcorn.
You're right on with the observation that modern cars are much cleaner. Thank God and the CA legislature for that. And get ready for a lack of further progress if not actual backsliding thanks to our shiny new EPA.
Should we end testing? I can't speak for Ohio, but in CA the pollution per car would increase. Combine that with increase in the number of cars on the road and air quality would suffer. How much of that should we tolerate? And what would we gain in exchange?
CA does not have a power problem. We had a problem years ago when we deregulated poorly and got scammed, but that is history. Have not had any power issues not related to wildfires in a decade.
IMHO you are wrong about wind and solar. The plants are more expensive to build but cheaper to run, so the cost advantage in the long run goes to renewables. And storage is largely solved. Batteries are now doing a good job and getting better, and there are other technologies starting to mature.
Looked at as an isolated case moving elec from CA to Ohio does not pencil out. But that isn't what is being discussed. What is on the table is an upgrade to the national power grid to make it practical and cost effective to move power around.
Electricity in CA is not cheap, but that is the cost of the transition, and the cost of breathing cleaner air. No free lunches. If we were smarter we would do more to relieve the burden on low income households, but that is a political failure (money swears as Dylan said) not a technology one.
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