1st Emissions testing experience in a Ferrari

Thats why I HATE damn inspections. I have a few years to go but I'm going to register the car in antique class when it hits the 25 year point. You NEVER have to get inspected, yes there are driving restrictions but well worth it and you can use the year of manufactured lisence plate.

 

I drove my 89 TR 80 miles to the Boston Sportscar Co. and had them do the state inspection just to avoid what you experienced. By the way, it passed the emissions with results equal to that of my late model Toyota.

 

When I had my 328 registered in MA, the front spoiler started to scrape as he back up onto the rear wheel rollers. I told him to stop and he called some state RMV guy who gave permission to do a static tail pipe test.

Now all my F cars are in FL which has zero inspections in my county, emisions, saftey nothing.


Spider seeker: You should have told him it was a four wheel drive which means you don't have to use the roller system.

 

We have a drive up system in MD also.

When I got my car registered they sent me an emissions test form. I went to the station very concerned about how it was going to work. The person (kid) working the booth told me to drive it on in and I told him no. I could see the car wouldn't clear the rollers. He said he does vettes all the time and has a test gauge device to prove it will work. When he brought the thing over and tried to fit it under the car..... guess what.... nope, wouldn't go. I told him any damage would be their responsibility and I wanted to speak to the manager.

I go in to speak to the manager and he's really great about it. "We'll just write you a waiver, don't worry about it.....We get Ferraris and Lambos all the time" A real car guy.

So, the moral is...... go talk to the manager first and explain your concern. If that person doesn't give you a waiver, go to another station and try again. It's not worth damaging your car.

 

Which station in MD did you go to? My 85 308 QV is due, and I want to make it as painless as possible.

 

Last week----walked in told the girl, the car sits too low and nobody can drive it--she didn't even look at the car, wrote me a waiver good until 2007. Thank god---test pipes probably would not have passed!!!

 

That is a great story....I took my 360 over to Ferrari of OC to have the smog check done, they were pretty busy so they advised me I could take it myself to the guy who they use, who is just around the corner. They gave me his address and off i went. I was extremely suprised to find when i got there it was a S--ll gas station. Gave the keys to Abdul and stood back nervously and watched him shoe horn my car into the area. Now mind you this was a 1 man operation!! he had some sort of remote control unit to access controls. Also when he would get in and out of car there was literally 12 inches for the door to open and the brick block wall of garage opening, I would actually hold my hand on edge of door so it wouldnt hit it. Needless to say after about 25 minutes and my assistance to keep the probe in muffler the process was complete!!! I went back to Ferrari of OC to relate the experience and advise them, they should never ever send a customer their!! that it should be done by one of there porters and have client sit in waiting area. I guarantee anyone who drops their car off to them to have smog has no idea the absolute rinky-dink operation that actually is doing the work.

 

The horrors of emissions checking - we use to have them until everyone realized they were a scam and they were stopped a few years ago.

 

Hope Texas does too.

 

I went to the station on Lindbergh Drive, Gaithersburg. Though a 308 might not work. Try one close to you and if you have problems just try another and report back. Give yourself some time and don't go the last day it's due.

 

After hearing all your trials and tribulations, I am glad I live in a state without emission testing.

 

The Maryland program is a "make work" program to employ inner city kids....it does NOTHING to lower air pollution....older cars are exempt, deisel is exempt and trucks are exempt.....

 

Here too. If its more than 24 years, no emission inspection.

 

My QV failed here last year in Chicago... cost me ~$1800 for rebuild of cats, etc. Really looking forward to those antique plates!
Illinois nazis..... I hate Illinois nazis!

 

Is emission the only thing they check over there? Over here, we they test emission, brakes, suspension, chassis, bodywork (they check if it isn't rusted through at some points), the make sure all the lights , wipers etc. work...
And it's annually.

 

No,

In the state of MD you have a state inspection required to register the car. That inspection is a safety checklist where a mechanic goes through it. After the car is titled and registered you get an emissions inspection that is done every two years (I think). There are no more safety inspections unless you get pulled over by the police and they notice a safety issue.

 

Hilarious.

I love it when people act like they know what they're talking about, then they show you just how ignorant they are, so blatantly. Glad you are enjoyig your new car, the '85 308QV is one of my very favorites! Enjoy!

 

one of my all time fav movie quotes!

 

A year or more ago I went with my 550 for its first Maryland emisions test and was pleasantly surprised, and even impressed by the courtesy adn professionalism.. I, too, was concerned about ground clearance and some yutz mahsing around with my car. Went in one day without the car and talked to the inspection station manager. Very helpful, courteous and considerate. Said, when I bring the car, DO NOT go into the normal inspection lines. Instead, come into the office and they will take care of everything. When I brought the 550 up, he told me to pull around to the inspection lane exit, back in (to avoid going over the dyno rollers). He hooked up the OBD-II connector, and all was well. Took less than a minute.

 

Yup. I passed the first time I tested but failed the last time. AV plates is the way to go. You save a whole lot of $$$ too, and you can get almost any vanity plate you want since they can duplicate the regular issue plates.

Ken