Great SMOG Experience!!

Oxymoron - right?

I've got a find for peninsula guys with these cars. What makes it great is the people doing the work. Here's the story: I was running late to get the Star Certified SMOG done on my carb '78 308. I carved out some time, and ran to my usual spot which was closed. I needed to find someone new and now. I hate this process as so many things about it suck! The biggest issue is pulling up to 4 other Star places, and being told, "No Way! We won't do that car!" Too much liability, too foreign who knows?? So I pulled into another station which was not Star cert'd just because the driveway was EZ and spoke to the SMOG tech. He referred me to "Middlefield SMOG Check" which is Star cert'd

The shop is in an industrial area on Middlefield Rd in RC, and traffic is a bit interesting because it's on a corner, but if you drive slowly, it's do-able. I had no driveway/spoiler trouble with my carb 308, but something to keep in mind. What really made it great is the tech was sensitive to it being precious, and listened to me as to how to open and close, being careful to not lean on delicate areas, and was not bothered at all when I asked him about any grease or dirt on his uniform (Not that there was any flags for concern, but I always check). His name was Carlos, and he was very thorough, honest, careful with the machina, and fast. Probably the record time for a SMOG pit stop. I just brought in a Mercedes today and had the same great service.

There contact info is:

Technician: Carlos

Middlefield SMOG Check
2800 Middlefield Rd
Redwood City, CA 94063
650.739.8111

You might even be able to call him on your way over so you could pull right onto the dyno?

 

I've been back a few times for other cars, newer Euro stuff with great results. Quick and easy!

Today I did a Honda w/ OBD II, and there were two cars ahead of me. It sure went quick. Carlos knows his stuff, and managed to check the "monitors" on a return car (that came after me) while waiting for the computer to do its thing - very efficient operation. Also, Carlos again impressed me with being respectful of the car, and I think $50 is the going "Good" rate for OBD-II testing.

 

Good to know.

$40 including the certificate is about as low as it gets for obd2 smog tests.

$50 would be the lowest for older cars.

 

In the East Bay, I've just had two good experiences with Telegraph Star Smog at Telegraph Ave and Claremont Ave in Oakland. Super friendly, fast, careful. Used them first with my daily driver year 2000 Honda S2000 (dmv required a star station). Was happy enough to take my 2010 California there yesterday, even though it only needed a regular station. Tech asked me for my help as he doesn't like to drive luxury cars, but I made his day when I said it was fine for him to pull it into the garage. He then asked about my driving pattern as he was concerned about me ending up with a fail on my carfax as I don't drive my car super regularly. Asked if I kept it on a tender and stuff, before he decided it was safe to not abort the test. Car passed and all is well. Will continue to use them despite them being on the expensive side of the equation - $80ish.

 

Lo price is good, but 2 things stand out for me being really important!

1.
I really like it when I can talk with the tech. "Here's how you open and close the rear deck etc". "Can you please carefully engage the tach pickup on the ignition wires"? That - Go sit in the waiting room, and we'll tell you when it's done doesn't make me feel comfortable with my precious Ferrari! It's not a just a mere car, it's artwork - a rolling sculpture.

2.
Allowing me to drive it on and off the dyno so they don't have to learn that there's no synchro on reverse.

And of course being clean comes a pretty close 3rd


(I realize how this sounds, but if you consider the limited use, careful servicing etc etc)
How we love them so!