"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
01/28/2015 at 14:05 • Filed to: camry, beige, emission testing, emssions | 2 | 13 |
For an emissions test, LOLOLOLOLOLOL
For over a year now, Wisconsin has done away with its state employed, government run emissions testing and vehicle 'inspection' stations, and instead gave out a shit ton of computers, cameras, training, and stickers to dealerships and independent shops to 'test' vehicles that are due for emissions testing, which is when a car is purchased and registered USED, and every two years after that. I've had the Camry for two years. Its test was due.
Its a simple process, and we used to do them where I work. But an idiot employee falsifying reports got our machine taken away. The dealer next door to us doesn't have theirs anymore, either. Not sure why. That leaves ONE place that's convenient for me, and its a Chevy dealer that I pass by every day after dropping my kids off at school. They open at 8, and I drive by there around 10 after. Should be a cakewalk.
FIRST thing I did, was miss the sign that said EMISSION TEST PARKING ———->
and pulled right into the service drive. I was greeted as I turned off my car, and the man asked me my mileage.
"229,364" I proudly stated, after turning my key back on to bring up the digital odo. In retrospect, that was my SECOND mistake.
He asked why I was there, i said emissions, he says I need to back out because they need to keep the drive clear for "customers". Okay, well, where I WORK, we had cars pull right in and pulled them into the INDOORS testing area.
This place did them OUTDOORS.
Uh, how? I thought they needed the PC and a digital camera to do the deed.... oh well, maybe things have changed.
So I go to start my car to back out and it just cranks and cranks..... it sputters, but does not fire.
What
The.
FUCK.
It's never done that before. In FACT, when the car is 'hot' and I restart it after having just shut it off, it restarts pretty quickly. Which it DID, after I cycled the key again. Maybe flipping it on quick to show the mileage, off again, then back on to start fudged something.
Well now I look even dumber. With my hella old Camry. With zip tied bumper.
ANYWHO, I back out, park in the designated spot BACKWARDS LIKE A BOSS, next to a 5 year old Volvo that has a tech in it, revving the engine.
That's not part of the procedure, I am pretty sure. They are supposed to plug them in, scan the VIN, and start the car.
Good thing my dashcam will turn on automatically and record what goes on soon as the key is turned on!
So I go and have a seat after giving the mileage guy my paperwork and keys, he says there's one car in front of me (Volvo) and it should take ten minutes to get to mine.
So I walk around the drive, notice the nice early red C4 Vette that's NOT FOR SALE but has a window sticker anyways, and have a seat in the waiting room and start posting on Twitter.
Its a nice place, fake leather seating, a play area for kids, a flat screen TV showing how boned traffic is for me on the rest of my drive to work, and it has a Keurig and small mini fridge stocked with drinks. Very nice.
10-15 minutes pass by and the mileage guy comes to get me, walks me up to the desk, tells me I passed (no shit, only a CEL or recently cleared CEL will fail you), and gives me the paperwork and keys. Then he says "You only have five days left, we can take care of the registration here for an extra $10."
Uh, no, I'll pay on my own. Besides, I am pretty sure it's supposed to be a $5 charge to renew at the dealer/shop..... asshole.
Of course I just said "No thanks" and left.
My car started right up and I came to work.
Only to find my dashcam didn't record SHIT from the time I turned off the car for Mr. Mileage, and the time I turned it back on to leave.
Oh well. I had a fun video to go with this story, and now it's turned into a wall of text. Sorry y'all.
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Takuro Spirit
01/28/2015 at 14:07 | 0 |
which is when a car is purchased and registered USED, and every two years after that. I've had the Camry for two years. Its test was due.
Wait, so if you buy a new car, are you emissions exempt?
For Sweden
> Takuro Spirit
01/28/2015 at 14:09 | 0 |
kewl
deekster_caddy
> Takuro Spirit
01/28/2015 at 14:11 | 0 |
I wonder if the tech was aware enough to unplug your dashcam?
jariten1781
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
01/28/2015 at 14:15 | 0 |
In VA you're exempt for two years if the vehicle is new. That sticks with it for two years as long as it stays registered in state. If you title it in another state then bring it over you have to do emissions even if it is a couple months old (which happens a lot when people move in from DC or MD).
No it doesn't make sense.
Takuro Spirit
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
01/28/2015 at 14:31 | 0 |
No, the state assumes it was built properly, and you get to drive it for two years until its test is due, to make sure it was still built properly.
Takuro Spirit
> deekster_caddy
01/28/2015 at 14:32 | 1 |
I think he may have. It's just plugged into the power outlet, not hardwired.
BKosher84
> Takuro Spirit
01/28/2015 at 15:35 | 0 |
So in the states mind...
"Brand new car? It was probably built correctly...."
"Two year old car? IT PROBABLY WASN'T BUILT PROPERLY LIKE WE THOUGHT WE MUST TEST IT RIGHT MEOW!"
Side Note: I have to do the same thing but I can just pull up to a scanning station and perform the test myself... For free.
deekster_caddy
> Takuro Spirit
01/28/2015 at 16:33 | 0 |
Here in MA, they stopped physically testing for emissions. If it's older than '95, no test. OBD-II and newer, if the computer has no emissions codes, you pass. I think it's a great approach. Sure there are some sly people who will reflash their PCM to delete a code, but for 99% of the cars on the road today, it pretty much covers it.
Takuro Spirit
> deekster_caddy
01/28/2015 at 16:44 | 0 |
Same here. 1996+ get a plug-in test. No light (or code), you pass. 1995 and older? FUCK CATS!
ly2v8-Brian
> Takuro Spirit
01/28/2015 at 17:34 | 0 |
It still surprises me that we don't have to do any of that shit here in MN.
Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
> Takuro Spirit
01/28/2015 at 18:41 | 0 |
Wait, what's the camera for in the testing process? A friend of mine works at a gas station/oil change place that does testing, and I took my cars to him when I moved here and registered. I had to have both cars tested within 30 days of moving here. I hung around and watched him do the test, and don't remember a camera.
Takuro Spirit
> Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
01/28/2015 at 18:42 | 0 |
I think it was for verifying the vehicle being tested matched the VIN being entered, and other nanny functions.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> Takuro Spirit
01/29/2015 at 02:56 | 0 |
vehicle test? sorry to say this but ; HA HA!
no such thing where i am.
that has got to suck big time.
in all my 23+ yrs of owning cars , never had to do ANY form of test , be it emissions or full RWC