Star Station Smog Hopes She Pass (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter SDTLC80
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Here's what I found online (not a DMV site). Sounds basically like a 'tougher' inspection to higher standards, or more closely watched and monitored by the Bureau of Automotive Repair and...wait for it...Gross Polluter is the first of three criteria they use to send us to a STAR station!
What is a STAR Smog Check? How do I find a STAR station?
What is the difference with a regular smog station and a STAR smog station?
You received your DMV renewal notice and discovered it's asking for a smog inspection at a STAR station. No need to panic. All this means is that the DMV has chosen your car to be inspected at a smog station which is monitored closely by the BAR and must conform to high standards established by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs.
Some STAR stations are only authorized to perform smog inspections. These stations are known as STAR Test Only stations. Other STAR certified smog centers can perform smog inspections as well as smog check repairs. These smog stations are known as STAR Test & Repair stations. Both STAR stations are allowed to perform regular and STAR smog checks.
STAR Test Only Centers are only authorized to perform smog inspections and are not allowed to perform smog check repairs.
STAR Test & Repair Stations are authorized to perform STAR smog inspections, as well as repair and certify all vehicles.
If the DMV is asking for "Smog Certificate Required at a STAR station" you can visit either of these smog test center types.
STAR certified smog station duties and responsibilities
STAR Test Only Center - Smog test only centers are authorized by the State of California to perform both Regular and Test Only smog inspections. They are not allowed to perform any smog repairs. A Test Only center's main obligation is to perform a non-bias and accurate smog inspection. They are certified to inspect all DMV required vehicles.
STAR Test & Repair (CAP) - STAR Test & Repair stations are authorized by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs to perform, along with smog check repairs, regular smog inspections and test only smog checks. A STAR Test & Repair station is the only type of smog check center which can inspect, repair and certify any and all vehicles. These stations are participants of the State's Consumer Assistance Program and are inspected by the State of California monthly.
STAR Test & Repair stations may also perform smog repairs on vehicles participating in the Consumer Assistance Program.
How are vehicles selected for STAR smog check?
The State of California uses the following three strategies to determine whether a vehicle is STAR station designated or not:
Gross polluters (vehicles which have failed a previous smog inspection with very high emission readings)
High Emitter Profile vehicles. These are vehicle types designated by the Bureau of Automotive Repair as having high chances of failing the smog inspection.
A random sample of all vehicles registered in California and being driven on public roadways.
If your vehicle has been selected to undergo a STAR smog check don't be alarmed. Simply locate a convenient STAR certified smog station and proceed with the inspection. The smog technician conducting the test can inform you of any serious issues. There are several hundered STAR smog stations throughout California and you can find one in your area using our STAR Smog Station Locator.
How much does a STAR smog check cost?
STAR smog stations, as with all smog stations, are independently owned and operated businesses. The owners of these smog test centers or test & repair stations have to right to choose the amount they will charge consumers for their services. Except for an $8.25 State Certificate fee, STAR Test Only centers and STAR Test & Repair stations will have different prices, typically between $29.95 and $59.95 plus state fee.
Find a STAR station by using our smog station and coupon search tool. Select "STAR Station Smog Check" from the drop down list, enter your zipcode and go.
What is a STAR Smog Check? How do I find a STAR station?
What is the difference with a regular smog station and a STAR smog station?
You received your DMV renewal notice and discovered it's asking for a smog inspection at a STAR station. No need to panic. All this means is that the DMV has chosen your car to be inspected at a smog station which is monitored closely by the BAR and must conform to high standards established by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs.
Some STAR stations are only authorized to perform smog inspections. These stations are known as STAR Test Only stations. Other STAR certified smog centers can perform smog inspections as well as smog check repairs. These smog stations are known as STAR Test & Repair stations. Both STAR stations are allowed to perform regular and STAR smog checks.
STAR Test Only Centers are only authorized to perform smog inspections and are not allowed to perform smog check repairs.
STAR Test & Repair Stations are authorized to perform STAR smog inspections, as well as repair and certify all vehicles.
If the DMV is asking for "Smog Certificate Required at a STAR station" you can visit either of these smog test center types.
STAR certified smog station duties and responsibilities
STAR Test Only Center - Smog test only centers are authorized by the State of California to perform both Regular and Test Only smog inspections. They are not allowed to perform any smog repairs. A Test Only center's main obligation is to perform a non-bias and accurate smog inspection. They are certified to inspect all DMV required vehicles.
STAR Test & Repair (CAP) - STAR Test & Repair stations are authorized by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs to perform, along with smog check repairs, regular smog inspections and test only smog checks. A STAR Test & Repair station is the only type of smog check center which can inspect, repair and certify any and all vehicles. These stations are participants of the State's Consumer Assistance Program and are inspected by the State of California monthly.
STAR Test & Repair stations may also perform smog repairs on vehicles participating in the Consumer Assistance Program.
How are vehicles selected for STAR smog check?
The State of California uses the following three strategies to determine whether a vehicle is STAR station designated or not:
Gross polluters (vehicles which have failed a previous smog inspection with very high emission readings)
High Emitter Profile vehicles. These are vehicle types designated by the Bureau of Automotive Repair as having high chances of failing the smog inspection.
A random sample of all vehicles registered in California and being driven on public roadways.
If your vehicle has been selected to undergo a STAR smog check don't be alarmed. Simply locate a convenient STAR certified smog station and proceed with the inspection. The smog technician conducting the test can inform you of any serious issues. There are several hundered STAR smog stations throughout California and you can find one in your area using our STAR Smog Station Locator.
How much does a STAR smog check cost?
STAR smog stations, as with all smog stations, are independently owned and operated businesses. The owners of these smog test centers or test & repair stations have to right to choose the amount they will charge consumers for their services. Except for an $8.25 State Certificate fee, STAR Test Only centers and STAR Test & Repair stations will have different prices, typically between $29.95 and $59.95 plus state fee.
Find a STAR station by using our smog station and coupon search tool. Select "STAR Station Smog Check" from the drop down list, enter your zipcode and go.
I asked the smog tech how one is chosen to test at a Star facility and he said that gross polluter is #1. Also, they select 30% of registrants per zip code. So my PZEV 04 Mazda 3 could be selected next year. Sucks.
Yep - that's the 3rd criteria listed. Gross Polluter, High Emitter profile vehicles (basically any car/truck the PRK wants to target!) and then random selection.
Good luck!
I guess I'm the 30% that keeps getting "randomly" selected for STAR Stations.
Oh, and for those of us whose trucks is 1996 and older we have to pay EXTRA for smog testing than 1997 and newer (I may be off by a year +/-). That's not fair. We ought to pay less because we don't do the dyno step.
Oh, and for those of us whose trucks is 1996 and older we have to pay EXTRA for smog testing than 1997 and newer (I may be off by a year +/-). That's not fair. We ought to pay less because we don't do the dyno step.
Vintage does cost more Joey
I've always skipped the dyno, fwiw.
- Thread starter
- #30
Never had to do the dyno, tail pipe sniff and everything else. So I just end up ordering the OEM intake tube from a a friend that has a mechanic shop in Hillcrest. This way I don't have to worry about this issue anymore.
Our trucks have never had to do the dyno. None of the shops have a 4WD dyno and as I said above, my local smog only guy says the potential for a few 4WD dyno shops is dead since the equipment was too expensive. Can you imagine what our fees would be if the state had gone forward with 4WD dyno's and how far some of may have had to drive just to find one!