Toyota Prius on the beach near Huntington Beach Pier

Hybrids in Huntington Beach

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Toyota Prius on the beach near Huntington Beach Pier

Huntington Beach Hybrids at Just Smogs

Nobody performs more hybrid smog inspections in Huntington Beach than the dedicated ASE certified smog technicians at Just Smogs®.

It doesn’t matter if you drive a Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, Ford Escape, Mercedes E-Class, or any other brand of Hybrid, the dedicated smog technicians at Just Smogs® in Huntington Beach will deliver your hybrid smog check fast while you relax in our clean and comfortable waiting room.  Just don’t get too comfortable because at Just Smogs® hybrid smog checks fast really does mean smog checks fast!

Just Smogs® Reception Area

We’re making changes

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We’ve been re-decorating at Just Smogs®

Just Smogs® Reception Area

The Just Smogs® Reception Area

In addition to new furniture and displays in our reception area, we feature a family friendly waiting room with television, Netflix, games, and other features designed to enhance your smog check experience.

Stop in soon and enjoy a hot cup of fresh coffee. Let us know what you think about our new look.  Of course you may not have a lot of time because at Just Smogs® we do Smog Checks Fast!

Pssst, check http://www.justsmogs.com often for the latest news and information.  Big news is on the way.

Consumer Assistance Program

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Designed to help improve California’s air quality, the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) offers help to consumers who own vehicles that may have trouble passing the smog inspection.

Consumer Assistance Program – Repair Assistance

The Repair Assistance Program provides qualified consumers who own a vehicle that fails its biennial (every other year) Smog Check inspection up to $500 in financial assistance towards certain emissions-related repairs.

To qualify for CAP repair assistance, a vehicle must have failed its most recent biennial smog inspection.  Pre-Test, manual mode, and training mode inspections do not qualify.

Also, the vehicle and owner must meet registration and household income requirements.

You can learn more about CAP Repair Assistance at www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/RA_Requirements.pdf, or by calling (866) 272-9642.

Consumer Assistance Program – Vehicle Retirement

In addition to offering qualified consumers up to $500 towards certain emissions related repairs, CAP also offers consumers up to $1,500 to retire vehicles from operation.

Eligible vehicle owners who also meet household income eligibility requirements may $1,500 for each vehicle retired.  All other qualified vehicle owners shall receive $1,000 for each vehicle retired.

You can learn more about CAP Vehicle Retirement at http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/pdf/VR_Requirements.pdf, or by calling (866) 272-9642.

The Registration Station™

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Just-Smogs-Registration-StationThe JUST SMOGS® Registration Station™ is ready to go! You can pay for your DMV registration fees online at dmv.ca.gov and the DMV will send your registration & tags in the mail.

Aftermarket Catalytic Converters

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In order to be sold and installed in the state, aftermarket catalytic converters must be exempted from California’s anti-tampering laws.  If an aftermarket catalytic converter is shown to be durable and meets vehicle emission control requirements, it is granted an exemption Executive Order (EO) that allows it to be installed on specific emission controlled vehicles.

Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Requirements

1995 and Older Vehicles (Pre OBD II)

On non-OBD II vehicles, smog inspectors are required to ensure that all aftermarket catalytic converters installed on the vehicle have an EO number that covers vehicles within the correct vehicle category (PC-1, PC-2, T-1, or T-2). Refer to the ARB Web site for a separate Pre-OBDII EO Listing containing the EO numbers and corresponding vehicle categories.

Inspectors are not required to check specific vehicle application using the series or part numbers on non-OBD II vehicles.

Most 1996 and Newer Vehicles (OBD II)

Emissions control information labelIn order to comply with California’s anti-tampering laws, and pass the smog inspection, the part numbers on aftermarket catalytic converters that are installed on OBD II vehicles must be approved for the vehicle’s make, model, model year, engine size and test group/engine family designation.

To verify application, inspectors must verify the EO and part number against the ARB Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Database. Each EO contains a catalog listing the applicable vehicles.

Unlike non-OBD II vehicles, it is important to note that inspectors are required to check specific vehicle application using the series and part number.

For more information about add-on and modified parts, or aftermarket catalytic converters, please contact ARB’s Public Information Helpline at (800) 242-4450.

New Readiness Monitor Standards for OBD System Functional Inspection

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A vehicle will FAIL a Smog Check if:

Gas Powered
1996 – 1999 : If 2 or more monitors are incomplete

Gas Powered & Hybrid
2000 – Newer: If any monitor other than the Evaporative system monitor is incomplete.

Diesel Powered
1998 – 2006: If any monitor is incomplete
2007 – Newer: If 3 or more are incomplete

Sometimes, readiness monitors will not set because of a broken emission control system component. The Owner’s Manual often contains drive cycle information to achieve monitor readiness. BAR has found that certain vehicles, including the vehicles listed below, may have difficulty completing all monitors during normal driving:

  • 2000-2001 Nissan Maxima
  • 2000-2001 Infiniti I30
  • 2000 BMW 323i
  • 2004 Ford E350 Super Duty (5.4L)

Please click here for BAR’s complete list of OBD Testability Issues, and BAR’s suggested solutions, or contact the BAR Referee at (800) 622-7733.

 

 

Smog Check: Toyota Prius Hybrid (STAR Certified)

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hybrid-smog-check-huntington-beach-prius.JPG

This 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid passed its change-of-ownership smog check inspection today at JUST SMOGS® in Huntington Beach. Hybrid emission inspections are essentially the same as most 2000 and newer gasoline powered vehicles.

The inspections consists of a comprehensive visual inspection of the emission systems as well as an OBD computer scan.

HYBRID Smog Check – Statewide Implementation (Huntington Beach)

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HYBRID Smog Check Inspections Are Now Required in California

hybrid-smog-check-huntington-beachWhy are hybrids being brought into the Smog Check Program?

Hybrids are designed to meet strict emission standards and to provide improved fuel economy over conventional vehicles. However, hybrid emission control systems experience the same causes of long-term deterioration affecting other vehicles. Emission control system malfunctions on hybrids can cause emissions to sharply increase. By ensuring that hybrid emission-related problems are identified and then properly repaired, emission levels will remain low over the life of the vehicle.
Since their introduction to the California market in 2000, hybrid vehicles could not be properly tested on the BAR-97 equipment that was introduced in 1997. This equipment could not test the emissions of hybrids as the vehicles would switch into electric mode during an inspection. The new Bureau of Automotive Repair On-Board Diagnostic Inspection System (BAR-OIS), which is based on a visual inspection of emission control components and a scan of the vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system, has resolved this testing issue.

Which types of hybrids will be required to receive a Smog Check?

All hybrid vehicles will be subject to a Smog Check. Just like traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles six model-years and newer are exempt from the biennial Smog Check requirement. Hybrid vehicles four model-years and newer are also exempt from the change-of-ownership Smog Check requirement.