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Eug · Apr 16, 2007, 04:21 PM

The emissions test requires that a probe be placed in the vehicle's exhaust pipe to measure the particulates emitted while the engine is at idle or the use of OBD-II to test 1996 and newer vehicles. The problem is that the Prius doesn't exactly "idle." When the Prius is "on" and at a standstill, the internal combustion engine (ICE) is stopped. If the ICE is not running at a constant idle speed, the emission test cannot complete and the vehicle fails.

Owners must still pay the $25 testing fee for the aborted test even though all emissions tests centers across the state of Georgia know ahead of time that the vehicle will fail the test. Heather Abrams of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division says that the Prius must take the doomed test regardless so that the vehicle information can be put into the state's system. Owners must take their failed emissions certificate to a GCAF Waiver Center to get permission to receive a new tag or call in with the code number on the aborted test.

OK, I can forgive the test, but the government there is out to lunch on this one.

Gossamer · Apr 16, 2007, 04:26 PM

Wow. Bureaucracy at its worst.

Jawbone54 · Apr 16, 2007, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Wow. Bureaucracy at its worst.

How dare you question our brilliant government!

[/UNCONTROLLABLE ANGER]

Mithras · Apr 16, 2007, 05:15 PM

Oh, that's just beautiful.

centerchannel68 · Apr 16, 2007, 06:06 PM

I wouldn't pay it, and go to court. That's BS. It's one of the most fuel efficient (note I did not say most environmentally friendly) vehicles on the road, the fact that they fail it for the emissions testing is just stupid.

Also, FYI, if you have a subaru, you don't have to do emissions under load, since most places don't have AWD dynos. They just do a tailpipe sniff test at idle. Woot.

KeyLimePi · Apr 16, 2007, 06:10 PM

This makes perfect sense because the entire emission test program is pretty much just a revenue stream. There's really no reason to test any unmodded car made in the last decade.

If the emission test program was really about helping air quality, they would not be asking cars they KNOW are going to pass to drive many extra miles, then sit in a que and idle their engines. This creates more harmful emissions than the one-or two cars they may catch who are 'over the acceptable limit.'

If they made an exception for the Prius then they would have to make an exception for other cars that aren't likely to fail...which is most cars.

Eug · Apr 16, 2007, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by KeyLimePi

This makes perfect sense because the entire emission test program is pretty much just a revenue stream. There's really no reason to test any unmodded car made in the last decade.

If the emission test program was really about helping air quality, they would not be asking cars they KNOW are going to pass to drive many extra miles, then sit in a que and idle their engines. This creates more harmful emissions than the one-or two cars they may catch who are 'over the acceptable limit.'

If they made an exception for the Prius then they would have to make an exception for other cars that aren't likely to fail...which is most cars.

Where I live (Ontario), the Prius is exempt from emissions testing. Nobody seems to complain.

Dakarʒ · Apr 16, 2007, 07:45 PM

(Comment on how sharp Georgians are)

Gossamer · Apr 17, 2007, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

(Comment on how sharp Georgians are)

So either
1) you're too lazy to make a real joke or
2) the joke makes itself.

I think 2.

Chuckit · Apr 17, 2007, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by KeyLimePi

This makes perfect sense because the entire emission test program is pretty much just a revenue stream. There's really no reason to test any unmodded car made in the last decade.

Quoted for emphasis. It's just an smokescreen for an additional tax, not anything to do with emissions. Cars that have big emissions problems are usually pretty obvious anyway.

Kevin · Apr 17, 2007, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

(Comment on how sharp Politicians are)

Fixed.

Dakarʒ · Apr 17, 2007, 10:20 AM

You fixed a joke, how helpful.

Dakarʒ · Apr 17, 2007, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

You fixed a joke, how pointless.

Fixed.

Kevin · Apr 17, 2007, 10:25 AM

Maybe the joke needs worked on.

mac-at-kearsarge · Apr 17, 2007, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin

Maybe the joke needs worked on.

We'll I tried running the state required test on the joke. As this is one of those new "eco friendly low punchline jokes", there wasn't enough punchline for me to test I'm afraid the joke fails the test. Please pay $50 to the receptionist on the way out.

Railroader · Apr 17, 2007, 02:50 PM

Bob Zany's Fix the Joke!

Jawbone54 · Apr 17, 2007, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by mac-at-kearsarge

We'll I tried running the state required test on the joke. As this is one of those new "eco friendly low punchline jokes", there wasn't enough punchline for me to test I'm afraid the joke fails the test. Please pay $50 to Jawbone on the way out.

Fixed your joke of a fixed joke.

Gossamer · Apr 17, 2007, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Bob Zany's Fix the Joke!

I used to listen to that on Tuesday mornings on the way to my college class during high school. It was always funny, but the stupid commercial breaks would sometimes last the entire drive.