Emissions Reality

Well... If you get AV plates in 2009, you won't ever have to do it again. Plus!, at the moment, the fees are only $30 for a 5 year plate.

 

Why 2009? An 84 car can get AV plates in 2008, no?

Does the 25th year have to be complete (2009) or just reached (2008)?

Another missed driving season for me depends on the answer.

 

Argh, two more years of reduced driving.

The test done in Chicago was absolute torture. They revved the engine to the red line. Twice. Then got inconclusive data and did it all over again. I rarely if ever drive the car so hard.

They're greeting was "Oh, a Lamborghini!".

 

True. They followed a curve, which peaked at 6,500 rpm. Close to the redline. It was gutt wrenching to watch as the engine screamed and the car was dancing on the rollers. It sounded like a fighter jet about to take off, but in a bad way. I was expecting pistons coming shooting through the bonnet and was thinking about what lawyer to call (if any) if they had blown the engine. It was like watching a horrid crime. I never want to go to that place again with a Ferrari ever in my life.

After I failed the test by a hair, my *former* mechanic couldn't fix the problem.

 

My 308 is 25, almost 26 years old. (Built in January of 1981) Besides (or instead of) getting an Antique Vehicle Plate, which I think are ugly. All you need to do is have your car Insured as an "Antique/Classic" and show, or send a copy of your policy showing that to them, and you are Exempt from having to take the test. That way, you can keep your regular license plate too.

I don't think that there are any mileage limitations from the EPA if you use the Insurance for your test exemption. (As opposed to using the Antique Vehicle License Plate.) Just whatever your Insurance carrier requests. I have State Farm. I pay $64.56 every 6 Months for Full Coverage. And for "Agreed Value" coverage, which is to the penny, all taxes at purchase time included, to what I paid for the car. But, I can only drive the car up to 2500 miles per year, which I have yet to do. But I know that Haggerty offers Antique/Classic car Insurance with no mileage limitations, and also offers "Agreed Value" coverage.

I am not sure if the car has to be 25 years old or not with the Insurance carrier. I believe that some consider it as only 20 years old.

 

True, which is what I did. Problem with that is that now you're restricted to driving only to club events/shows and some very limited maintenance. You could of course ignore that, but what if you had an accident? Would be an easy way out for the insurance company.

 

The collector's insurance, does not limit you on where or how you can drive your car, other than competitive track events, at least not any of the insurance that I have had. The only other restrictions were total yearly mileage, and that the car was not used as a "commuter car." They surely did not exclude pleasure cruising.

 

What company?

 

I had an emmisions test 1+ years ago and told the "tech" that I don't want the car on the rollers as I have low profile tires and wheels that are 5grand each. The guy said ok and used the old sniffer test.

 

I don't know which Insurance company that you have. But I am Not limited At All whatsoever as to where and when I can drive the car. My Insurance company does not restrict that all. All that it does limit is the accrued Mileage for the year. That being 2500 for me. But that is it. (And that is only if I want to Insure it as a Classic car. Otherwise, I can drive it all I want and the Premium goes up to $320.00)

Now, with the Antique Vehicle Plate, you ARE restricted (well, supposedly) to ONLY being able to drive the car to Shows and Events. And that is it. That is why I opted out of going that way. And, if a cop really wants to be a prick, can give you a ticket if you have those plates on your car, and you get pulled over, and you are NOT going to a Car Show or Event. (Driving it at night would definitely be a good example....)

So, going the Insurance Route is the best, I think. Absolutely NO limitations other than Mileage. And, with some Insurance carriers, that isn't even an issue. So then, you have zero restrictions.

And....you don't have to get that god awful, ugly, brown License Plate either!!!

 

The same thing happened to me this year. I put off going to the air station to get tested because I knew I would fail no problem. The last time I had went I failed and had to put the car on the injured list. Then, about a year later I got the plugs and wires replaced. Oh...and key, the air compressor hooked up. It was like majic, night and day. Took me about 48 seconds to pass. I tell you, if it seems like you're taking a long time then most likely you ain't gonna' pass. Anyway, I felt like I had won Powerball after leaving there. All and all, if my car can pass everyone elses should and I'd have to agree that it's not as bad as you think it is.

 

I am a Farmers Insurance agent in Illinos. My 308 has the limited use endorsement from Farmers. This is very broad. My policy comes with it you mail the request for the exception to emissions and no more tests!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just changed my 82 Fiat 124 policy got the endorsement and applied for no more test!!!!!!!!!
I can help all with these cars as I understand the policy and the needs of there owners etc. Our policy does not have all the crazy restrictions the "collector" car insur co's demand! My policy is also very inexpensive.
Thanks
Dan

 

That's right! I forgot about that! If you can find old license plates for your Cars' year, you can put 'em on with that. Very cool! Thanks for that reminder!

Haley, Bill, Rick and Andreas. You guys could do that with your cars. Does anyone want me to look for a specific License Plate year for them when I go to the Chevy/Vettefest next Month? They always have vendors there selling old license plates.

Unfortunately, it isn't good for later model cars. I don't know which year that they changed over from issuing different plates every year. I believe it was in the late 1970's, though... Anyone? I kind of liked having different plates every year. I should've kept my 1976 Bi-Centennial Plates that were on my 1966 GTO....

 

I was under the impression that the rollers are going to be removed within a year or 2 from all the testing facilities. Any OBDI or older will not have to take emissions. Or am I way off on this one.

 

You know...Now that I think about it....I could get a Tubi on my 308, with No cats, and just use Test pipes and Muffflers, and not have to worry about it....That would be fun! Maybe I should just keep that car....

 

Don't forget: There's a little box on the notice that says "My car is out of the area" or something like that. Check that, and send it in.
My 400i, though living in CA, is registered in IL to avoid the damn smog test!

 

The mechanic for the department was saying something about this like 6 months ago to me but I didn't believe him. Supposedly he was told that by someone at one of his training siminars. I think he said something about taking the Dino out but leaving the computer plug in gadget thing in. I guess we'll see.

 

They might as well do it. There really aren't that many cars running around nowadays that don't have the OBD system in one form or the other. And, the very few that don't are mostly Classics and such that are barely ever driven, and well kept anyway.

I mean, since they started this Emissions stuff, you don't see (or hear) old Beater cars running around with their Mufflers hanging off like we used to many years ago.

 

The old IM240 test system (emission gas test on dyno) will be phased out beginning next year. That means only OBDII cars will be tested, late 1996 and onward. Based on that all 1996 and earlier cars will no longer be tested.

 

Whoa! How's that for some awesome good news! YAHOO!!!!!

Maybe I'll get to drive my car again in 2008. With test tubes instead of cats that is.

 

Congrats!
you may recall my ordeal over 3 years ago.... car ran fine, I had it for <1 year, and it had passed Colorado emissions just before I bought it with flying colors... then she failed. Cost over $1800 to get it in order.
Passed without much problems this summer....

Illinois (emissions testers) nazis.... I hate Illinois nazis!