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> In California, for instance, you have to pass a smog check every six months I live in California and you only have to do it every other year [0]. My car is a

> In California, for instance, you have to pass a smog check every six months I live in California and you only have to do it every other year [0]. My car is almost 30 years old, not super well maintained, and it's never failed. [0] https://www.bar.ca.gov/Consumer/Smog_Check_Program/FAQ https://www.bar.ca.gov/Consumer/Smog_Check_Program/FAQ

lotsofpulp 5y ago
If your car has a check engine light on, you can also unplug the battery overnight, connect it in the morning, drive 40 to 70 miles in a mix of city and highway conditions, and take it immediately to the inspection station before the check engine light comes on. There is usually a window between when the car will report there is not enough data to pass the emissions test, and when the car reports a failure of the emissions test. Maybe try unplugging the battery every night for a week and you can get a good idea of when you can get it inspected and passed.
- elygre 5y ago
  Or just fix your car.
  - sokoloff 5y ago
    That's what most people do for a repeatable issue, but there are "gremlin cases" where a car in otherwise good repair will somewhat randomly set a MIL code. Wife's 2005 CR-V will around once per year set P0325 (knock sensor, bank 1). I've replaced the knock sensor [twice], rang out the wiring, and checked/cleaned all the connectors. It's a 17.5 year old car with ~225K miles on it that sets a code once a year. It's not going to get any more fixed than it already is.
  - lotsofpulp 5y ago
    Catalytic converters are an expensive fix. It might not be worth it to fix the car. Alternative option is to sell the car to someone in a state that does not require emissions testing. Also, if someone steals your catalytic converter, and there is not much damage, it is possible to “straight pipe” it for cheap and just not put in a catalytic converter. Although, I would assume inspection stations have cameras or mirrors where they can see the bottom of the car, so this might only be worth it in states that do not do inspections.
- hunter2_ 5y ago
  Any scan tool can show "readiness" which is what occurs after the necessary amount of driving has been completed, so someone looking to do this can just watch for that instead of guessing. Shops like AutoZone will even let you scan for free if you don't have one.

lotsofpulp 5y ago

If your car has a check engine light on, you can also unplug the battery overnight, connect it in the morning, drive 40 to 70 miles in a mix of city and highway conditions, and take it immediately to the inspection station before the check engine light comes on. There is usually a window between when the car will report there is not enough data to pass the emissions test, and when the car reports a failure of the emissions test. Maybe try unplugging the battery every night for a week and you can get a good idea of when you can get it inspected and passed.

elygre 5y ago
Or just fix your car.
- sokoloff 5y ago
  That's what most people do for a repeatable issue, but there are "gremlin cases" where a car in otherwise good repair will somewhat randomly set a MIL code. Wife's 2005 CR-V will around once per year set P0325 (knock sensor, bank 1). I've replaced the knock sensor [twice], rang out the wiring, and checked/cleaned all the connectors. It's a 17.5 year old car with ~225K miles on it that sets a code once a year. It's not going to get any more fixed than it already is.
- lotsofpulp 5y ago
  Catalytic converters are an expensive fix. It might not be worth it to fix the car. Alternative option is to sell the car to someone in a state that does not require emissions testing. Also, if someone steals your catalytic converter, and there is not much damage, it is possible to “straight pipe” it for cheap and just not put in a catalytic converter. Although, I would assume inspection stations have cameras or mirrors where they can see the bottom of the car, so this might only be worth it in states that do not do inspections.
hunter2_ 5y ago
Any scan tool can show "readiness" which is what occurs after the necessary amount of driving has been completed, so someone looking to do this can just watch for that instead of guessing. Shops like AutoZone will even let you scan for free if you don't have one.