New C7 Z51 from Texas - smog test problem in California
#1
New C7 Z51 from Texas - smog test problem in California
Yep, this issue has been discussed before on the forum. I want to share my experience, which had a reasonably happy ending.
Long story short, I bought a new 2016 z51 in Texas and shipped it to California. While new cars purchased in California do not need to be smog tested for several years, California requires that new cars purchased out of state must pass a smog test before being registered. Like all new Corvettes, the emissions are certified for all 50 states, so I presumed this would not be a problem. I was wrong.
I tried to have it tested twice, but both times (one at 100 miles or so, the other at 200 miles or so on the odometer) the tester said that the O2 sensor (and I believe one other) was not "ready", and that I should drive it some more. I then checked the owner's manual and found the reference I attached to this post.(See Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs.)
Unhappy about having to drive hundred of miles, perhaps more, just to have a new car smogged, I contacted Chevy. The representative who helped me knew nothing of this problem. I then went to a local dealer, and the tech printed a GM bulletin for me, #15-NA-010, that detailed the exact problem I was having. It suggested that the Inspection/Maintenance System Check for certain HO2S diagnostics may not be ready for 1000 miles or more! BUT, the bulletin also suggested calling the California Automobile Repair Board Referee Scheduling Cener to ask for help with the problem in the form of a waiver, which I did.
This was the absolute best experience I have ever had with a California State agency. I called the number provided in the bulletin (800-622-7733), I got a live human on the phone in less than 2 minutes, and she got me schedule with a referee for first thing in the morning the next day. I showed up, he hooked up his scanner, saw the problem, called his boss and got approved to administer the smog test anyway, which of course the car passed. :-). Even better, it only cost me $8.25! I am now a happy camper.
FYI, the other thing you have to do when you buy a new car out of state and bring it into California is get the VIN verified by the DMV. I was dreading this, but it turned out there was a drive-in line at the DMV labeled for VIN verification. The whole thing took 20 minutes, and I never even had to get out of my car.
I hope this helps someone
Jed
This is a 50 state emissions label on a 2016 C7 Z51. It looks a little different than previous years because the standard in California changed.
Here's what the Owner's Manual says about this issue.
Long story short, I bought a new 2016 z51 in Texas and shipped it to California. While new cars purchased in California do not need to be smog tested for several years, California requires that new cars purchased out of state must pass a smog test before being registered. Like all new Corvettes, the emissions are certified for all 50 states, so I presumed this would not be a problem. I was wrong.
I tried to have it tested twice, but both times (one at 100 miles or so, the other at 200 miles or so on the odometer) the tester said that the O2 sensor (and I believe one other) was not "ready", and that I should drive it some more. I then checked the owner's manual and found the reference I attached to this post.(See Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs.)
Unhappy about having to drive hundred of miles, perhaps more, just to have a new car smogged, I contacted Chevy. The representative who helped me knew nothing of this problem. I then went to a local dealer, and the tech printed a GM bulletin for me, #15-NA-010, that detailed the exact problem I was having. It suggested that the Inspection/Maintenance System Check for certain HO2S diagnostics may not be ready for 1000 miles or more! BUT, the bulletin also suggested calling the California Automobile Repair Board Referee Scheduling Cener to ask for help with the problem in the form of a waiver, which I did.
This was the absolute best experience I have ever had with a California State agency. I called the number provided in the bulletin (800-622-7733), I got a live human on the phone in less than 2 minutes, and she got me schedule with a referee for first thing in the morning the next day. I showed up, he hooked up his scanner, saw the problem, called his boss and got approved to administer the smog test anyway, which of course the car passed. :-). Even better, it only cost me $8.25! I am now a happy camper.
FYI, the other thing you have to do when you buy a new car out of state and bring it into California is get the VIN verified by the DMV. I was dreading this, but it turned out there was a drive-in line at the DMV labeled for VIN verification. The whole thing took 20 minutes, and I never even had to get out of my car.
I hope this helps someone
Jed
This is a 50 state emissions label on a 2016 C7 Z51. It looks a little different than previous years because the standard in California changed.
Here's what the Owner's Manual says about this issue.
The following 12 users liked this post by CaliforniaJed:
any4xx (08-25-2016),
AttyVette (03-20-2017),
Brian Fisher (03-16-2017),
flby55 (10-04-2016),
George Washnak (05-15-2018),
and 7 others liked this post.
The following users liked this post:
AttyVette (03-20-2017)
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AttyVette (03-20-2017)
#4
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2015
Location: Northern California
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St. Jude Donor '15
I've read quite a few threads here about people struggling to get their cars passed. Thanks for the info!
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AttyVette (03-20-2017)
#5
Le Mans Master
When I received my courtesy delivery Z06 that shipped from Bowling Green (purchased from Kerbeck), I did have to drive the car about 600 miles before getting the smog test approved. Needed to get several "emission monitors" checked off first.
I used an OBDLinkMX to view the status on my phone...worked great!
Never told about any waivers available...good to know.
I live in an area that does not need annual/bi smog testing....probably only time it will be tested in CA.
I used an OBDLinkMX to view the status on my phone...worked great!
Never told about any waivers available...good to know.
I live in an area that does not need annual/bi smog testing....probably only time it will be tested in CA.
The following users liked this post:
AttyVette (03-20-2017)
#6
When I received my courtesy delivery Z06 that shipped from Bowling Green (purchased from Kerbeck), I did have to drive the car about 600 miles before getting the smog test approved. Needed to get several "emission monitors" checked off first.
I used an OBDLinkMX to view the status on my phone...worked great!
Never told about any waivers available...good to know.
I live in an area that does not need annual/bi smog testing....probably only time it will be tested in CA.
I used an OBDLinkMX to view the status on my phone...worked great!
Never told about any waivers available...good to know.
I live in an area that does not need annual/bi smog testing....probably only time it will be tested in CA.
As silly as it is to have to smog a brand new 50 state car, I was glad they at least stepped up and waived a requirement that was going to force me to put a bunch of miles on the car just to pass.
Jed
#7
Safety Car
Member Since: Dec 2009
Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona
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SoCal Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12
Jed, this same California BS has been going on for many years and has been reported on dozens of times so your experience is not a new one. The vin verifications is another BS way for the dmv to check for your emissions sticker . Whats even more bs is that all of the emissions equipment for the US corvettes is the SAME. What is different is that Kali wants a sticker specific for CA that says its emissions compliant and this is an order form option for the ordering dealer to check.
When I was a CA resident I bought all 5 of my corvettes out of state. The deals are much better than any cali dealer can or will ever offer as they think their cars are worth their weight in gold.
So, great job, glad to see you are also shopping around for better deals. Its a bit of a hassle to get a vin inspection (which can also be done at AAA) and the emissions sticker check along with the emissions test. I am surprised to hear you had a good experience with a State CARB employee at generally they are one of the most incompetent state agencies out there.
When I was a CA resident I bought all 5 of my corvettes out of state. The deals are much better than any cali dealer can or will ever offer as they think their cars are worth their weight in gold.
So, great job, glad to see you are also shopping around for better deals. Its a bit of a hassle to get a vin inspection (which can also be done at AAA) and the emissions sticker check along with the emissions test. I am surprised to hear you had a good experience with a State CARB employee at generally they are one of the most incompetent state agencies out there.
#8
Jed, this same California BS has been going on for many years and has been reported on dozens of times so your experience is not a new one. The vin verifications is another BS way for the dmv to check for your emissions sticker . Whats even more bs is that all of the emissions equipment for the US corvettes is the SAME. What is different is that Kali wants a sticker specific for CA that says its emissions compliant and this is an order form option for the ordering dealer to check.
When I was a CA resident I bought all 5 of my corvettes out of state. The deals are much better than any cali dealer can or will ever offer as they think their cars are worth their weight in gold.
So, great job, glad to see you are also shopping around for better deals. Its a bit of a hassle to get a vin inspection (which can also be done at AAA) and the emissions sticker check along with the emissions test. I am surprised to hear you had a good experience with a State CARB employee at generally they are one of the most incompetent state agencies out there.
When I was a CA resident I bought all 5 of my corvettes out of state. The deals are much better than any cali dealer can or will ever offer as they think their cars are worth their weight in gold.
So, great job, glad to see you are also shopping around for better deals. Its a bit of a hassle to get a vin inspection (which can also be done at AAA) and the emissions sticker check along with the emissions test. I am surprised to hear you had a good experience with a State CARB employee at generally they are one of the most incompetent state agencies out there.
Jed
#9
Jed
#10
Smog
Yep, this issue has been discussed before on the forum. I want to share my experience, which had a reasonably happy ending.
Long story short, I bought a new 2016 z51 in Texas and shipped it to California. While new cars purchased in California do not need to be smog tested for several years, California requires that new cars purchased out of state must pass a smog test before being registered. Like all new Corvettes, the emissions are certified for all 50 states, so I presumed this would not be a problem. I was wrong.
I tried to have it tested twice, but both times (one at 100 miles or so, the other at 200 miles or so on the odometer) the tester said that the O2 sensor (and I believe one other) was not "ready", and that I should drive it some more. I then checked the owner's manual and found the reference I attached to this post.(See Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs.)
Unhappy about having to drive hundred of miles, perhaps more, just to have a new car smogged, I contacted Chevy. The representative who helped me knew nothing of this problem. I then went to a local dealer, and the tech printed a GM bulletin for me, #15-NA-010, that detailed the exact problem I was having. It suggested that the Inspection/Maintenance System Check for certain HO2S diagnostics may not be ready for 1000 miles or more! BUT, the bulletin also suggested calling the California Automobile Repair Board Referee Scheduling Cener to ask for help with the problem in the form of a waiver, which I did.
This was the absolute best experience I have ever had with a California State agency. I called the number provided in the bulletin (800-622-7733), I got a live human on the phone in less than 2 minutes, and she got me schedule with a referee for first thing in the morning the next day. I showed up, he hooked up his scanner, saw the problem, called his boss and got approved to administer the smog test anyway, which of course the car passed. :-). Even better, it only cost me $8.25! I am now a happy camper.
FYI, the other thing you have to do when you buy a new car out of state and bring it into California is get the VIN verified by the DMV. I was dreading this, but it turned out there was a drive-in line at the DMV labeled for VIN verification. The whole thing took 20 minutes, and I never even had to get out of my car.
I hope this helps someone
Jed
This is a 50 state emissions label on a 2016 C7 Z51. It looks a little different than previous years because the standard in California changed.
Here's what the Owner's Manual says about this issue.
Long story short, I bought a new 2016 z51 in Texas and shipped it to California. While new cars purchased in California do not need to be smog tested for several years, California requires that new cars purchased out of state must pass a smog test before being registered. Like all new Corvettes, the emissions are certified for all 50 states, so I presumed this would not be a problem. I was wrong.
I tried to have it tested twice, but both times (one at 100 miles or so, the other at 200 miles or so on the odometer) the tester said that the O2 sensor (and I believe one other) was not "ready", and that I should drive it some more. I then checked the owner's manual and found the reference I attached to this post.(See Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs.)
Unhappy about having to drive hundred of miles, perhaps more, just to have a new car smogged, I contacted Chevy. The representative who helped me knew nothing of this problem. I then went to a local dealer, and the tech printed a GM bulletin for me, #15-NA-010, that detailed the exact problem I was having. It suggested that the Inspection/Maintenance System Check for certain HO2S diagnostics may not be ready for 1000 miles or more! BUT, the bulletin also suggested calling the California Automobile Repair Board Referee Scheduling Cener to ask for help with the problem in the form of a waiver, which I did.
This was the absolute best experience I have ever had with a California State agency. I called the number provided in the bulletin (800-622-7733), I got a live human on the phone in less than 2 minutes, and she got me schedule with a referee for first thing in the morning the next day. I showed up, he hooked up his scanner, saw the problem, called his boss and got approved to administer the smog test anyway, which of course the car passed. :-). Even better, it only cost me $8.25! I am now a happy camper.
FYI, the other thing you have to do when you buy a new car out of state and bring it into California is get the VIN verified by the DMV. I was dreading this, but it turned out there was a drive-in line at the DMV labeled for VIN verification. The whole thing took 20 minutes, and I never even had to get out of my car.
I hope this helps someone
Jed
This is a 50 state emissions label on a 2016 C7 Z51. It looks a little different than previous years because the standard in California changed.
Here's what the Owner's Manual says about this issue.
#11
Excellent info Jed, I brought in a 2016 Z06 from PA , took it to local smog center and of course it failed (24 miles on it ) they told me the usual "just drive it" . drove another 100 miles and checked it on my scan tool , was down to just O2 sensor and evap. Stumble across your post . Called California Repair Board at 9 am they gave me a 2pm appointment the same day ( san diego) When I got there they came running out in awe of my car taking pictures saying "we been waiting for you" . Needless to say I was surprised as I didn't expect real car guys. They looked the car over ( same emission sticker as you posted) showed them the GM bulletin , they hooked up their scanner and verified O2 not ready and issued a waiver and charged me $8 !!!!! I then went to a local license agency and paid sales tax and was home by 5 with my california plates,
What a ripoff the local smog shops are, unfortunately you cannot go to the CARB places as they are referees and only do contested cases like ours. So only thing I would add to anyone going through this is just go get a smog right away from a local shop - which will probably fail and then schedule with the state referee.'
What a ripoff the local smog shops are, unfortunately you cannot go to the CARB places as they are referees and only do contested cases like ours. So only thing I would add to anyone going through this is just go get a smog right away from a local shop - which will probably fail and then schedule with the state referee.'
#15
Thanks again to CaliforniaJed for the information. Here's how it worked out for me.
Car delivered by Intercity on 9/27.
Appointment at Ca DMV for Vin verification and registration on 9/29.
Smog test failed as expected at local smog shop 9/30
Called California DMV referee agency and scheduled appointment for 8/2.
The only referee stations in my area are Fullerton or Huntington Beach.
I went to the Huntington Beach station which is on campus at Golden West College. The state technician re-smogged the car made a couple of calls to Sacramento and the was approved for registration.
Just a heads up the DMV was unaware of the referee program and the Ca referee agency was unaware of the GM Bulletin. They were happy to make the appointment though and everything went well.
All in all very smooth with a few extra hoops to jump through but expected when purchasing a vehicle out of state.
Anyone in the Socal area feel free to PM any questions regarding the above.
.
Car delivered by Intercity on 9/27.
Appointment at Ca DMV for Vin verification and registration on 9/29.
Smog test failed as expected at local smog shop 9/30
Called California DMV referee agency and scheduled appointment for 8/2.
The only referee stations in my area are Fullerton or Huntington Beach.
I went to the Huntington Beach station which is on campus at Golden West College. The state technician re-smogged the car made a couple of calls to Sacramento and the was approved for registration.
Just a heads up the DMV was unaware of the referee program and the Ca referee agency was unaware of the GM Bulletin. They were happy to make the appointment though and everything went well.
All in all very smooth with a few extra hoops to jump through but expected when purchasing a vehicle out of state.
Anyone in the Socal area feel free to PM any questions regarding the above.
.
#16
Thanks again to CaliforniaJed for the information. Here's how it worked out for me.
Car delivered by Intercity on 9/27.
Appointment at Ca DMV for Vin verification and registration on 9/29.
Smog test failed as expected at local smog shop 9/30
Called California DMV referee agency and scheduled appointment for 8/2.
The only referee stations in my area are Fullerton or Huntington Beach.
I went to the Huntington Beach station which is on campus at Golden West College. The state technician re-smogged the car made a couple of calls to Sacramento and the was approved for registration.
Car delivered by Intercity on 9/27.
Appointment at Ca DMV for Vin verification and registration on 9/29.
Smog test failed as expected at local smog shop 9/30
Called California DMV referee agency and scheduled appointment for 8/2.
The only referee stations in my area are Fullerton or Huntington Beach.
I went to the Huntington Beach station which is on campus at Golden West College. The state technician re-smogged the car made a couple of calls to Sacramento and the was approved for registration.
#17
Instructor
wow! the right info I needed. I have been trying to get my car ready for smog after initial fail and trying to drive it on days when its not raining. Will be calling them tomorrow and hopefully this will be put to rest!
#18
Safety Car
Don't disconnect your battery or flash your ECM, it will cause the readiness codes to reset back to incomplete.
Finally, I bought a new car out of state and had it courtesy delivered to CA. I had to get a smog certificate and have the car visually inspected at DMV for the Emissions compliant sticker. Then pay the CA taxes in order to complete registration. Of course, the DMV charged a fee for the inspection. The state is always reaching in our pockets!
Last edited by Mike's LS3; 12-06-2016 at 04:05 AM.
#19
Instructor
There are drive cycles that will replicate conditions needed to set the readiness codes. Do a search for the procedure. In CA, gas vehicles 2000 and newer are allowed to have the evaporation readiness code incomplete, all other readiness codes must be complete. Also, no DTC's can be present (MIL light turns off when engine is running).
Don't disconnect your battery or flash your ECM, it will cause the readiness codes to reset back to incomplete.
Finally, I bought a new car out of state and had it courtesy delivered to CA. I had to get a smog certificate and have the car visually inspected at DMV for the Emissions compliant sticker. Then pay the CA taxes in order to complete registration. Of course, the DMV charged a fee for the inspection. The state is always reaching in our pockets!
Don't disconnect your battery or flash your ECM, it will cause the readiness codes to reset back to incomplete.
Finally, I bought a new car out of state and had it courtesy delivered to CA. I had to get a smog certificate and have the car visually inspected at DMV for the Emissions compliant sticker. Then pay the CA taxes in order to complete registration. Of course, the DMV charged a fee for the inspection. The state is always reaching in our pockets!
Non courtesy delivered is an out of state dealer that delivers a pre-existing car to a local dealer or direct to your place. THIS will require a smog.
Last edited by Saint_Spinner; 12-06-2016 at 02:43 PM.
#20
Instructor
Thank you
i think this info should be made a sticky as so many folks buy out of state. Big thank you to OP!