Should emissions tests for cars be done away with?

Question

I came from southeastern Wisconsin. We had one of the toughest emissions standards in the nation. Only three counties had to take emissions. The rest of the counties could pollute as much as they wanted to. I bought a new car a few years back and was required to take emissions. I failed with a NEW CAR!! Twice!! Reason given is because the check engine light accidentally came on and had to be reset. I failed with another car before that. The mechanic told me that I passed with flying colors on his diagnostic tests. He stated that state tests are very unreliable. All he did was turn up the idle and I passed the state test when I retook it. Mechanics have told me that state emissions tests are quite unreliable. Besides... powerplants, industrial smokestacks, and airplanes pollute MUCH more than my 4 cylinder car. Is emissions testing a scam? To create another industry/ bureaucracy? I moved to Florida, and they have no emissions testing. I am extremely happy that they don't.

Answer 1

I am a firm believer that emissions testing is the newest and largest bullsh*t tax that has ever been put into use in our time. I have several cars, some of which are driven very rarely since they are project cars and classics. In AZ, every car made since model year 1967 has to get emission tested if it is used in either the Tucson or Phoenix area. I have a 67 Mustang that uses more gas driving to and from the testing facility and sitting in line at the testing facility, then it does for the entire rest of the year. My car passes with flying colors because I take care of my car, but that is another 10-15 bucks I get to spend on the registration of my vehicle. I own nine cars, five of which are registered, which if you do some quick math, equates to between 50 and 75 dollars I get to spend, not including the extra gas for driving it 20 miles to the test facility and 20 miles back. Interestingly enough, most vehicles that are as old as mine are owned by people who know how to take car of their cars, cars which are getting less and less in number due to their increasing age. Even California, with the strictest standards in the country, has had the foresight to eliminate all vehicles older than 30 years old. This, I believe, is the direction that AZ should take. Think of it this way, how many times a day do you see a car older than 30 or 40 years old that hasn't been taken care of? If you do find one, it is usually on its last legs and nearing the end of its usable service life, and as such will more than likely not be on the road very much longer anyway. Just my little soapbox rant.

Answer 2

You've pointed out the tests can be rigged, may test in the wrong way, etc.

However, your facts on pollution are a bit off.

A single car does pollute less than an airplane. However, there are more cars than planes.

The cumulative effect of all the cars on the road in the US is very significant. In some parts of the county (not Wisconsin), if all industry shut down, the drop in emissions of some pollutants would be only 25% or less. Cars and homes make up a huge portion of the pollution in this country.

I think that emission testing should be made part of the safety testing. It should be changed to better measure emissions in a standardized way.

Answer 3

I livein Florida and we used to have it. I couldn't understand why it was a big deal that my crappy 4-cylinder car couldn't pass it while trucks were allowed to go down the road belching smoke. Anyway, for awhile my stepbrother and I made sure to own REALLY old cars to get around the stupid emissions inspection. Good riddance.

Answer 4

Yes. But were dealing with the government. You know what means.