Illinois relaxing emissions testing for pre-'96 cars

[Steve 82SC]

I've entertained the idea of a cat bypass/premuffler, but didn't want to go through the trouble of replacing the cat every two years for emissions testing. It was bad enough to see my car on the rollers, plus I used to make a scene, protesting that I only wanted the testing station manager to drive my car with me in the passenger seat doing the shifting...a request that they always honored. What I really wanted were SSI's and a sport muffler, but I knew I'd never pass emissions. In January, my car will be 25 years old and eligible for Illiinois Antique Vehicle plates.....good for 5 years at a time and no emissions testing. If you live in Illinois and your car is 25 years or older, you have to submit your last emissions test result with your Antique Vehicle plate application to the Secretary of State, the reasoning being that you're not applying for the plates because you couldn't pass emissions.

A couple of days ago, I went to the testing station to confirm all of this and get a copy of my latest test results. While speaking with the facility manager (the guy who drives while I shift), there happened to be a state EPA supervisor up from Springfield doing his monthly inspections of the facility The three of us were discussing the Antique Plate issue and I again asked if the car would now be exempt from emissions testing. They both said, "yes," but told me that as of February 1st, 2007, the car wouldn't be subject to testing any longer anyway. I raised an eyebrow while shooting over one of my expressions of extreme intelligence and said, "Huh?"

The Springfield guy broke it down like this: Pre-OBD II cars ('95 and below) won't be subject to testing any longer as of Feb. 1st, unless you've received a current notice. If your test was within 2 years of that date, you shouldn't receive a notice any longer. The bean-counters have determined that as of today, 67% of the cars on the road within Illinois are '96 and newer, with the testing procedures for these cars being only an OBD II plug-in procedure lasting a couple of minutes. Their machines are set to throw a code only if the system that they plug into is operating at less than 80% efficiency. The bean-counters have further determined that by February of 2009, 86% of the cars on the road will be '96 and newer. He further explained that another factor here is the maintenance of rollers and the countless claims of suspension and wheel damage that the State has had to deal with. I asked the manager and supervisor if this is anywhere in writing, to which the supervisor told me that there has really not been a campaign publicizing this issue. However, he told me that it is, in fact, published in the 2006 issue of the Illinois Vehicle Code. I left the facility, went to work and looked it up. Sure enough, under "exempt vehicles", '95 and below automobiles are listed, with the exemption going into effect on "February 1, 2007."

My above conversation took place on Wednesday at 2pm. At 3pm, I ordered my SSI's and M&K muffler.

Steve

[cnavarro]

Woohoo! Cat bypass here I come, although being in Kankakee County, all cars, even new ones, are exempt :-)

[MotoSook]

I recently visited an EPA station and had a fun conversation with the facility manager who was as clueless as a rock.

I called the EPA office before I went in and asked some questions about the new exemption. The person who answered the phone was not the most knowledgeable. When I asked about the exemption, she said that all cars 95 and older would be exempt.

When I asked about existing letters to test (my '89 has an outstanding notice to test, but it has been off the roads, and only used at the track.), and how those cars would be considered, she had to put me on hold to ask someone.

When she returned she said that it wouldn't matter. As long as the car is 95 and older, it would be waived. I have heard once before that the car has to have a clean bill when the exemption goes into effect, that's why I inquired. What will they do with those cars? Test them on the roller?

Anyhow, when I was at the test facility, the they entered my VIN and told me I had to wait. When I asked why, they said they had to check if it was a AWD car. I told them it wasn't, and they said we still have to check because the computer said so (LOL!). The idiot manager had to go into her office to check, because their computer showed my car as a "911CA" with AWD. Huh?

Fine..I laughed to myself. Then we got my car on the roller. That took a while as the tech (seemed to be the only guy with a clue there) wanted to make sure the side/tire rollers (a pair of small rollers that keep the car from moving sideways) wouldn't damage my rims because of the low profile. I just barely made it, otherwise that rams and rollers on the ends would have surely damaged my rims. The damn ram must have pushed the sidewall 2 inches before it stopped and rebound.

Anyhow, my car did not pass, so they told me to go see the manager. OK. Off I got to see Queen Idiot. I go into the office and told her I just spent thousands of dollars on my engine (built to almost stock), and that I wanted to submit a waiver request (repairs costing over 400 or 500 can lead to a waiver). She said no and preceeded to tell me I had to see a machanic about my car. I played dumb and asked what a mechanic could do for my car? She just handed me a booklet of repair shops (what a joke!).

So I keep at her, and asked if she knew anything about the waiver. She said no (of course). Then I asked her if she knew anything about the upcoming exemption. She said no. I keep digging, then she finally saids that they haven't decided if that's going to happen, because they were still negotiating their contract for the new year. (the facilities are obviously contracted to a private firm for operation).

Fine, then I asked if I waited until Februray would I still have to test, she said she didn't know and started to walk away.

So stopped her, then I asked what the graph on the test report meant (). She didn't know. I asked why the manager of a facility didn't know, and she said it wasn't their program that spit out the report. Huh? It's your job and you have no traing on the software you were hired to operate? She didn't like that comment.

She started to have major attitude with me, so I return it right back! LOL! She can't take it anymore and starts to walk away again. But I wanted answers and told her I was an engineer, and I work on cars. Then she really started to pull back and got nasty. Finally I had enough and told her the attitude and ignorance is exactly why their contract will not be renewed! I walked out.



One more firm soaking up tax dollars with dumb sponges will see reduced revenue, and I love it!

I'm gonna have to get a copy of the 2006 Vehicle Code...just so I can go back and ask the facility manager if she can read it. LOL!

[Steve 82SC]

Souk,

Every pre-96 that's registered now will have to go through the cycle if you're due for a test. For example, someone I know on the Board here had a certification in August of 2005....he's not due until August of '07, so he's off the hook.

As far as what this goofball at the testing facility told you about the "contract," that's baloney. It was an act of the State of Illinois legislature and has nothing to do with any "contract," irregardless of the fact of whether or not those facility operators are State of Illinois employees or privately contracted.

Steve

[MotoSook]

Yes, Steve, I understand about the exemption being a state decision, but I was giving the lady a hard time. And the reduction in tasks (no more rolling road testing for cars in good standing) will hurt their bottom line. It was apparent the lady was clueless.

As for the cars in good standing prior to Feb. 07, I still would like to know how the EPA will address those cars. If they will no long operate the rolling road and no long use a gas analyzer because their main tests subjects are OBDII cars...how will they test pre-OBDII cars? I'm sure there will be a muddle transitional period, and I'm not too concerned about it. My car will pass or it will just get sold to an exempt address, then I'll buy it back and it'll be fine then

[Steve 82SC]

According to the Illinois Vehicle Code, the Springfield supervisor (who was actually knowledgeable and a car-guy), and the exemption going into effect on Feb 1st, pre-96 vehicles are going to fall into the same category as antique vehicles and motorcycles......no testing.

Steve

[gassy]

I got my final pink notice in the mail and then found out about the new law--i'm good!

[bonaturtle]

ugh, my test was due in september, failed miserably, have to get my 02 sensor replaced to pass, hopefully that's it.

[Por_sha911]

And here's something really STUPID: TN has been expanding its testing. You'd think they'd figure out why IL is dropping testing on older cars or why some states have dropped it altogether. Duh.

[rick-l]

Originally posted by Steve 82SC
Souk,

Every pre-96 that's registered now will have to go through the cycle if you're due for a test.

They are doing the same thing in Missouri. As of September 1 2007 only a safety inspection.

I have two cars due by the end of August. If I'm late a month or two do you think the privately contracted smog stations will still be in existence?

[cardsrule]

Quick question... Lets just say you have your 79 930 registered in AZ but you have been hiding it your garage in Chicago because you know it would not pass. Do I have to worry about this any more and just register the car here in IL?

thanks in advance,

Scott

[RarlyL8]

Illinois is not relaxing smog testing. Chicago is. Big difference.

Down-state IL has never had smog testing.
If I lived in the Chicago area you'd better believe my cars would be registered down-state if possible.

[bonaturtle]

wish I could do that, but no dice. Both my cars have to pass this last time, then I'm good for life, as long as I'm in Chicago.

Also opens the door for some interesting exhaust choices in the near future for the 911

[Steve 82SC]

Check this out......Illinois Vehicle Code (625 IL CS5/), Chapter 13C-15 (Inspections), A-(6) (L).......exemptions...."Vehicles of model year 1995 or earlier that do not have an expired emissions test sticker or certificate on February 1, 2007." Testing will still be determined on a county-by-county basis for "96 cars and newer, but the exemption of pre-'96 vehicles is state-wide.

Steve

[ruf-porsche]

Woo Hoo

Great news, maybe I can drive my Lotuses again next year. My Lotuses were exempt from the dyno roll test since they are 1970's model year, but the state wanted me to bring the car in for testing, and they always scheduled it for the middle of winter when the cars were put away.

[krauthead]

Originally posted by RarlyL8
Illinois is not relaxing smog testing. Chicago is. Big difference.

Down-state IL has never had smog testing.
If I lived in the Chicago area you'd better believe my cars would be registered down-state if possible.

Rarly, I live in Southern Illinois and I can assure you we do have emissions testing. We have four vehicles and it seems like I am there often. I'm very glad to hear this is about to stop. Great news!

[MotoSook]

Testing areas are predetermined, and likely based on population density. SO you can say that the testing is statewide, but doesn't apply to all addresses.

Here is the list of "affected" counties, from the Illinois Vehicle Code.


Sec. 13B‑5. Definitions. For the purposes of this Chapter:

"Affected counties" means Cook County; DuPage County; Lake County; those parts of Kane County that are not included within any of the following ZIP code areas, as designated by the U.S. Postal Service on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1994: 60109, 60119, 60135, 60140, 60142, 60144, 60147, 60151, 60152, 60178, 60182, 60511, 60520, 60545, and 60554; those parts of Kendall County that are not included within any of the following ZIP code areas, as designated by the U.S. Postal Service on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1994: 60447, 60512, 60536, 60537, 60541, those parts of 60543 that are not within the census defined urbanized area, 60545, and 60560; those parts of McHenry County that are not included within any of the following ZIP code areas, as designated by the U.S. Postal Service on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1994: 60001, 60033, 60034, 60071, 60072, 60097, 60098, 60142, 60152, and 60180; those parts of Will County that are not included within any of the following ZIP code areas, as designated by the U.S. Postal Service on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1994: 60401, 60407, 60408, 60410, 60416, 60418, 60421, 60442, 60447, 60468, 60481, 60935 and 60950; those parts of Madison County that are not included within any of the following ZIP code areas, as designated by the U.S. Postal Service on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1994: 62001, 62012, 62021, 62026, 62046, 62058, 62061, 62067, 62074, 62088, 62097, 62249, 62275, and 62281; those parts of Monroe County that are not included within any of the following ZIP code areas, as designated by the U.S. Postal Service on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1994: 62244, 62248, 62256, 62261, 62276, 62278, 62279, 62295, and 62298; and those parts of St. Clair County that are not included within any of the following ZIP code areas, as designated by the U.S. Postal Service on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1994: 62224, 62243, 62248, 62254, 62255, 62257, 62258, 62260, 62264, 62265, 62269, 62278, 62282, 62285, 62289, and 62298.

[RarlyL8]

Could it BE any more confusing?
That makes no sense to me at all. So if you live in specific areas near a highly populated city you are subject to smog checks? I lived the majority of my life in middle IL. No one that I knew of in the entire state south of Chicago ever spoke of smog testing. I lived in St.Louis for 3 years and was never subject to smog testing. Is this a reletively new event for those south of Chicago?

[MotoSook]

We've been testing emissions for as long as I care remember. It's really simple if you are not trying to avoid a test. The state shoots you a notice if your car is registered in an "affected area." If you are trying to avoid a test, then you register your car in a non-affected zip code, or Wisconsin

You've obviously not lived in an affected area, per Illinois' definition, and since the rules are not congruent state to state, you can't use St. Louis in the reasoning.

[Wavey]

Originally posted by RarlyL8
Could it BE any more confusing?
That makes no sense to me at all. So if you live in specific areas near a highly populated city you are subject to smog checks? I lived the majority of my life in middle IL. No one that I knew of in the entire state south of Chicago ever spoke of smog testing. I lived in St.Louis for 3 years and was never subject to smog testing. Is this a reletively new event for those south of Chicago?

No, it's been going on here as long as it has in Chicago. BTW, Krauthead and I live in the same town about 30 miles east of St. Louis. I think that other than Chicago, this is the only other region that gets tested. It's determined by your zip code. I have 5 vehicles that have to be tested, including the 911. In fact just 5 minutes ago I finished swapping the cat back in to get it tested this week. But I have been able to skirt the test for our beater '88 Mercedes wagon because my daughter has had it at school in Peoria, or now at school in St. Louis.

Anyway, this truly is great news! I've been hounding Ben at MK Exhaust to make me a custom 1-in, 2 center out, but now I'll be able to go to SSIs and a muffler he already makes. Thanks for procrastinating Ben!