New Law: Visible Smoke = Fail Your Smog Check

Does Your Car Smoke?

The Bureau of Automotive Repair has picked January 1, 2008 to kick-off a new wrinkle in the Smog Check program.
Vehicles that emit visible smoke from the tailpipe or crankcase will fail the Smog Check.
As most experienced smog techs know, many smoking cars have passed the emission part of the Smog Check. Apparently, what the state is concerned about is particulate matter. They are also aiming to get the older, higher mileage cars off the road. These cars are typically owned by people of low income.
Earlier this year, some CAP stations were asked to note whether or not the vehicles they tested and repaired were emitting smoke. CAP stations perform smog repairs for income eligible motorists.
The state has yet to tell Smog Check stations when "smoke" is "smoke". Are they looking for smoke on engine start-up? Are they looking for smoke that occurs only during the actual smog test? What color of smoke will equate to a Smog Check failure?
If the plan goes forward, the owners of such offending vehicles can appeal to the Smog Check Referee and low income vehicle owners may be eligible for repair assistance.
The details have yet to be worked out and the state may delay implementation.
Stay tuned.

More to come...
Thanks,
Bob