CA DMV wants me to smog my car at a Star station in June... really?

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Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,024
9,685
136
I'm at risk and I figure this is, shall we say, an unreasonable imposition. I haven't turned the key on my car since March 12. It's just sitting in my driveway with a battery maintenance charger in place. I just opened a letter from the CA DMV and I'm supposed to have my car registered and smogged by late June. My car is little used (32,232 miles), always passes smogs by a mile, but it's old (1997 Mazda coupe). Are they relaxing this or am I going to have to brave going to a station?
 
MtnMan

MtnMan

Diamond Member
Jul 27, 2004
9,301
8,608
136
Wow, that's screwed up, send in the money (priority #1), then hopefully the cop that stops you will be a nice guy and not fine you again (see priority #1).

Oh wait, we are talking about California.
 
MtnMan

MtnMan

Diamond Member
Jul 27, 2004
9,301
8,608
136
Do dealerships perform these, or are the state run centers?

Locally dealerships are providing free pickup/delivery when your car needs servicing. Dealerships can also perform state required inspections. Also emission testing is not required in the first 3 years, nor after a car is 20 years old. Diesels only have 'safety' inspections (tires, lights, wipers, etc.)
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,681
14,080
146
Why not just go get it done? Mask up, glove up...pull in, wait 20-30 minutes, pay and go. They electronically transmit the smog test results to DMV.
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,681
14,080
146
Also:

www.bar.ca.gov

California Smog Check Program

Information and resources concerning the California Smog Check Program. Find a station, view frequently asked questions, and learn about options available to you if your vehicle fails.
www.bar.ca.gov www.bar.ca.gov

2.3 How can I find a STAR station near me?
To find a STAR station near you, click here or call (800) 952-5210.

2.4 Why am I being sent to a STAR station?
State law requires that a percentage of vehicles have their Smog Checks performed at a STAR station. One reason may be that your vehicle was identified as being more likely than others to emit unhealthy levels of harmful pollutants. This may be true even though your vehicle may never have failed a Smog Check. Another possibility is that your vehicle was chosen as part of a random selection for Smog Check Program evaluation purposes.
 
Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,024
9,685
136
mistercrabby said:
I didn’t think you have to get out of the car for those. Isn’t it like an oil change?
Click to expand...
No, it's never been like that for me. The technician needs access to your car, inside and out. I doubt he'll let you sit there in the driver's seat.

Guess I'm gonna have to pay online, print confirmation I paid, keep that in the glove compartment and hope things work out. When I can and will get smogged and get my sticker, have NO IDEA.
 
Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,024
9,685
136
BoomerD said:
Also:

www.bar.ca.gov

California Smog Check Program

Information and resources concerning the California Smog Check Program. Find a station, view frequently asked questions, and learn about options available to you if your vehicle fails.
www.bar.ca.gov www.bar.ca.gov

2.3 How can I find a STAR station near me?
To find a STAR station near you, click here or call (800) 952-5210.

2.4 Why am I being sent to a STAR station?
State law requires that a percentage of vehicles have their Smog Checks performed at a STAR station. One reason may be that your vehicle was identified as being more likely than others to emit unhealthy levels of harmful pollutants. This may be true even though your vehicle may never have failed a Smog Check. Another possibility is that your vehicle was chosen as part of a random selection for Smog Check Program evaluation purposes.
Click to expand...
My car has never been anywhere near having a problem passing. The data is always stellar, virtually like a new car. Every other year I have to do a STAR station test. I think it's because of the age of the car, PERIOD.
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,681
14,080
146
Muse said:
My car has never been anywhere near having a problem passing. The data is always stellar, virtually like a new car. Every other year I have to do a STAR station test. I think it's because of the age of the car, PERIOD.
Click to expand...

probably. if it's too much hassle...buy a new car.
 
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Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,024
9,685
136
BoomerD said:
What's the problem with getting your current one smogged? Are you Howie fucking Mandel or something?
Click to expand...
No I am not Howie fucking Mandel, whoever the fuck he is.

You're missing the point. I want to maintain my social distancing. I am "at risk," is that hard for you to comprehend? I am being advised to not do things like going to the store, get my car smogged, go into offices, shit like that. And how the fuck do you buy a new car while social distancing? :rolleyes:
 
K

killster1

Banned
Mar 15, 2007
6,205
475
126
if so scared to go do it then i gues syou are to scared to do anything else, just pay the bill and wait to smog like someone else said, its not a big deal. i have to smog my car soon too, you could always give the guy a mask and fresh set of gloves to use howie mandel heheh
 
allisolm

allisolm

Elite Member
Administrator
Jan 2, 2001
25,197
4,772
136
Muse said:
And how the fuck do you buy a new car while social distancing? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

90


:)
 
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S

Spacehead

Lifer
Jun 2, 2002
13,067
9,858
136
Does the owner of the car have to take it to get this done or can you have someone drive it there for you? Neighbor, friend, etc.???
 
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S

Sgt. York

Senior member
Mar 27, 2016
798
209
116
Muse said:
No I am not Howie fucking Mandel, whoever the fuck he is.

You're missing the point. I want to maintain my social distancing. I am "at risk," is that hard for you to comprehend? I am being advised to not do things like going to the store, get my car smogged, go into offices, shit like that. And how the fuck do you buy a new car while social distancing? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

How are you "at risk' moreso than anyone else? Aren't we all "at risk"?
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,681
14,080
146
Sgt. York said:
Anyone can take the car in. They're interested in the car, not the driver.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Sgt. York said:
How are you "at risk' moreso than anyone else? Aren't we all "at risk"?
Click to expand...

This. MAYBE Muse has health issues we don't know about...or maybe he's too scared to venture out of his cave. (How does he get groceries and other necessities? And if he doesn't venture out...he won't have to worry about getting a ticket)
 
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Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,024
9,685
136
AFAIK, I'm healthy and very likely a lot healthier than others my age. But they say mortality for my age group is 7% (they were saying that a month ago) so not trivial. That's a kind of Russian roulette, but less compassionate. Dying from a bullet to the brain would be less painful than dying from covid-19. They say I should SIP, period if possible, that's official guidelines. My groceries are being left on my porch and I paypal. A thoughtful neighbor, she's shopping every 2 weeks. I could ask her to smog my car for me, I guess, based on what people are saying here, but I figure if I don't have to I shouldn't prevail on her.

I'm not hell of scared or anything but TBH it makes me feel uneasy to go out and have to think constantly, wondering how to conduct myself to minimize my risk of getting infected. I don't think that's stupid or ridiculous. My neighbor volunteered to shop for me, help me in whatever ways they can. I didn't ask, they just volunteered. Seems great to me!
 
K

killster1

Banned
Mar 15, 2007
6,205
475
126
Muse said:
AFAIK, I'm healthy and very likely a lot healthier than others my age. But they say mortality for my age group is 7% (they were saying that a month ago) so not trivial. They say I should SIP, period if possible, that's official guidelines. My groceries are being left on my porch and I paypal. A thoughtful neighbor, she's shopping every 2 weeks. I could ask her to smog my car for me, I guess, based on what people are saying here.

I'm not hell of scared or anything but TBH it makes me feel uneasy to go out and have to think constantly, wondering how to conduct myself to minimize my risk of getting infected. I don't think that's stupid or ridiculous. My neighbor volunteered to shop for me, help me in whatever ways they can. I didn't ask, they just volunteered. Seems great to me!
Click to expand...
are you fat? i feel like they said fat people are the ones most at risk, 7% sounds like 6% to high :) i mean if 50% dont know they have it 80% have mild/ moderate symptoms 7% sounds really high. I feel like i dont want to get it either but its not stopping me from going to the beach every week and working 6 days a week @ 16 hours a day in a hospital :p ill be so excited when this is over and i take 2 months straight of vacation OOoooOooOoOoooo. yea just pay your neighbor
 
snoopy7548

snoopy7548

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2005
8,218
5,280
146
killster1 said:
are you fat? i feel like they said fat people are the ones most at risk, 7% sounds like 6% to high :) i mean if 50% dont know they have it 80% have mild/ moderate symptoms 7% sounds really high. I feel like i dont want to get it either but its not stopping me from going to the beach every week and working 6 days a week @ 16 hours a day in a hospital :p ill be so excited when this is over and i take 2 months straight of vacation OOoooOooOoOoooo. yea just pay your neighbor
Click to expand...

He's not fat; he's just pregnant.
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,681
14,080
146
Spacehead said:
He keeps claiming it's age related but i'm not sure if he knows how old he is.
Sometimes he's 76
Sometimes he's 45
Click to expand...

hell, I'm old...ish, not 70 yet, but it's getting closer...and I don't let this shit stop me from doing what I need to do. We go shopping when we need to, I shop at Home Depot, WalMart, wherever...I mask up and wear gloves.
 
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