Ca smog

[Toxicologist]

So my GP just passed smog.

Do any CA people out there know why some of us are selected at random to go to Gold Shield stations for the test? Furthermore, how are the average CO2, NO etc levels on the test determined (i.e. based on every car ever, just your car's model, just your car's year, etc)?

I don't have the results in front of me but I remember all results were well below the requirements but a little above the average. How do your cars typically do?

[matt5112]

My car was almost reading zero all around when stock...

Or so I was lead to believe.

I've have some new numbers next spring.

[josemolina2008]

I've never had to take my car to a Gold Shield station it always just says either there or Check Only place. And as for the numbers I think they go off of what your car model is allowed to emit. Like mine I just had to go get it smogged and my check engine light is on the guy said it was a clog in the air system. So what I did was disconnect my battery for a couple hours and waited a day. Went to go get it smogged and the guy said it passed and everything was working perfectly. Funny thing is as soon as I left going home my check engine light turned on, that was close.

[Toxicologist]

Wow, sounds like you dodged a bullet Jose.

I just noticed that it's Test Only OR Gold Shield. Could have saved a few bones there I'm sure.

my numbers in (15mph/25mph) format:
ppm HC: measured (14/11); average (9/7); max (50/34)
% CO: measured (.06/.03); average (.02/.03); max (.48/.45)
ppm NO: measured (73/125); average (57/50); max (414/701)

[matt5112]

15 at 25?

here its idle and 25 mph.

your car seems to be in good shape based on those numbers.

Ever run something like seafoam through it?

[Toxicologist]

I thought 15mph and 25mph sounded strange also... I don't know, but California rule makers are not the brightest crayons in the box.

I ran seafoam through after I replaced the LIM gaskets at about 140,000 miles. Car has about 151,000 now. Torque and I laughed a bit because it barely even bogged down the motor. He said he's never seen a motor not cut out when hit with seafoam.

Before the test I blew some carbon out on the freeway, so that might have helped the numbers .

Other than that, I just treat it right and give it the required maintenance and upkeep. I only get on it and push it after my day pisses me off.

[matt5112]

sounds good.

Idle makes more sense because a lot of it happens a lot in cities and traffic jams.