STAR smog check tomorrow

[Danglerb]

My US 83 is due for a smog check and it says STAR station only, no idea what it really means except that I can't go where I wanted to. 83 should be clean with no issues, but I'm trying to put a few more gallons of gas through before I take it in.

I've heard STAR is to target cars like ours for more scrutiny and letting NOTHING slip past. Good to do the US before the Euro I guess, that one gets it in Nov.

[Landseer]

Anybody who thinks the war on carbon emissions will start/end with coal plants is sadly mistaken.
Discard your cats at peril, regardless of current EPA waivers issued to some parts of some states.

[MPDano]

Just another name for a Test Only station. My local place said they had to recertify his machines.

What is a STAR station?

The new STAR Program begins January 1, 2013, and will replace the Gold Shield and Test Only program. If your DMV registration renewal notice states your vehicle requires a smog check at a STAR station, you may still take your vehicle to a Gold Shield or Test Only station before the new program begins. If your vehicle registration states your vehicle requires a smog check at a Gold Shield or Test Only station, you must take your vehicle to a STAR station after December 31, 2012.

For more information on the STAR program or to find a station near you, visit Bureau of Automotive Repair, State of California, Dept. of Consumer Affairs.

[SanDiego928]

New name for the same thing. That is what our state likes to do. Probably took loads of Lawyers and Legislation to change the name. Make it complicated and then simplify later to show improvement. Normal.

This is not good since mine barely passes.

[Cajundaddy]

I just did this last week. They were more thorough than usual and required opening the hatch on the Boxster to inspect and verify all smog related equipment was in place. I normally go for a spirited drive beforehand and come in with nice hot cats. I didn't do it this time and barely passed on HC.

Put some fresh gas in and take her for a nice romp first.

[XLR8928]

Oh, how Glad I am that I don't have to deal with Cali's draconian Jerry Brown laws....
So, for those of you that do.... A couple of qts. of isopropyl alcohol in the gas tank used to get my rigs thru smog when i lived in SoCal. I imagine a few gallons of gasahol (flex fuel) would have the same effect. Also, a temporary retarding of the ign. timing helps too.
-K

[Danglerb]

Busy morning, called to make an appt at 10:30 and they said no appts, first come first serve and no waiting now, so instead of doing the nice warm up the cats routine drove straight over and found a van ahead of me, so parked for 20 before testing.

MUCH more careful, tech warmed up the car etc, talked to the owner tech a little and he said basically same test as old Gold Star, but the computers have more info on cars by VIN. Main point he told me, one mistake and your lose Star certification, so expect any to be more careful.

Odd point talking about non USA cars and BAR stickers. He said he doesn't need to check the BAR sticker anymore its in the computer by the car VIN.

BTW Passed, $56.75 for inspection and $8.25 for certificate, two minutes tonight to pay $85 reg fee online and I am done for now.

....................%CO %O2 HC PPM ...............CO% ...........NO PPM
Test .....RPM meas meas max ave meas max ave meas max ave meas
15 mph 1413 14.3 0.3 128 36 65 0.93 0.14 0.18 1097 419 343
25 mph 2275 14.4 0.1 101 27 33 0.73 0.13 0.16 927 350 286

Orange Smog in Orange Calif.

[Danglerb]

Ah almost forgot,
Fuel cap functional, NA
Fuel cap visual, PASS.
Fuel evaporative control system functional, NA
Fuel evaporative control system, PASS

Timing 20 BTDC pass
Spark controls pass

Wiring to sensors, and vacuum routing was checked.

[SanDiego928]

Good news for you. Yeah! 2014, March is my turn. I think I will skip the 15th.