California smog check for Light Duty Diesels

[Martyn]

I got my registration renewal for my truck today and it included a notice that the truck needed a smog check. Double take, this is a diesel truck, there is no smog check on diesels in California.

I started to think about how I was going to get this sorted out with the DMV and did some internet research. Well, I don't know if I've had my head under a log for the past year, but California now has smog checks for Light Duty Diesel Trucks.

"Beginning January 2010, state law requires certain diesel powered vehicles to be included in the Smog Check Program. This includes all model year 1998 and newer diesel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 14,000 pounds and less.

The diesel vehicle Smog Check consists of an on-board diagnostic test, a visual inspection of the emissions components and a visible smoke test".

[psdfrank]

Yep, we are getting nickeled and dimed, i'm lucky enough to have a 95' though.

[redthies]

99% of the time I love California, when it comes to "rules" and the price of camping I am NOT in love... If only the water temps were warmer up in the other pacific states and province... Wetsuits suck!

[RocKrawler]

Sorry to hear that Martyn, when in CA it was aways one of the big advantages of owning the diesel - never having to worry about smog checks! Its a bummer to hear that has changed. Living in VA now I have found out there are other things they still get you on, like yearly state inspections ($16 here) for the entire state, and some counties still have smog testing in addition to that. They still charge sales tax and registration fees at the DMV. Oh, and to top that off, you get this little letter from the local government a few months later notifying you they have valued our vehicle at $xxx and you get a property tax bill for owning that vehicle, never saw that one coming! Kali isnt the only state that nickels and dimes you to death!

[Jnich77]

Leave it to Ca to spend even more money when they are flat broke.

[Regcabguy]

Leave it to Ca to spend even more money when they are flat broke.

We're mimicking the Obama administration. The only difference being,we can't print money.

[Jnich77]

We're mimicking the Obama administration. The only difference being,we can't print money.

Mauahhaaaaa...now thats funny!

[Regcabguy]

99% of the time I love California, when it comes to "rules" and the price of camping I am NOT in love... If only the water temps were warmer up in the other pacific states and province... Wetsuits suck!

I'm still wearing a wetsuit in August no less thanks to La Nina. CARB has admitted the conclusions they came to were based on junk science concocted by an uncredentialed "scientist". It's not going to impact us light duty owners that much. The losers are the independent truckers and small construction companies that are required to retrofit or replace their existing fleets. My super reliable 1992 Hino 4 cylinder tiltcab at work was replaced by an International of the same size and IH's Workforce engine. Results: fuel economy went from 14mpg to 09 mpg. The International is actually louder also. Where's the gain?

[Outback]

I'm still wearing a wetsuit in August no less thanks to La Nina. CARB has admitted the conclusions they came to were based on junk science concocted by an uncredentialed "scientist". It's not going to impact us light duty owners that much. The losers are the independent truckers and small construction companies that are required to retrofit or replace their existing fleets. My super reliable 1992 Hino 4 cylinder tiltcab at work was replaced by an International of the same size and IH's Workforce engine. Results: fuel economy went from 14mpg to 09 mpg. The International is actually louder also. Where's the gain?

That about somes it up!

[cnynrat]

Tempted to say something rude about this, but lets just say this sounds like another high cost/low value program brought to us by CARB. I'm all for clean air, but really don't think this will make a difference.

Just missed it this year, my Powerstroke will be up for inspection next year.