Toyota Prius fails Georgia emissions test due to fuel saving feature
04-17-07, 08:29 PM
#1
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Toyota Prius fails Georgia emissions test due to fuel saving feature
Click for Video : http://www.cnn.com/video/player/play...d.emission.wsb
via autoblog
Eco-conscious drivers in Georgia are finding out that the grass isn't necessarily greener on their side of the fence. 2007 is the first year drivers of the 2004 Prius are required to get their cars tested for emissions. You'd think the clean-running hybrid would have no problems breezing through the exam. But, as CNN reports, no matter how many times Georgia drivers try to test one, they all fail. Huh?
Well, sorta. It's more like the Prius refuses to take the test. When the Prius is set to idle at 2,500 rpm on the tester, it does what it's supposed to do. It shuts off the engine to save fuel. Georgia's pre-hybrid equipment issues a failing grade because of an incomplete test.
Instead of just acknowledging its system is outdated, Georgia still requires Prius owners to pay the $25 testing fee for an "aborted test." That allows them to get a failed certificate from the tester which car owners must take to one of five waiver centers (M-F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) to be granted permission to buy a license plate. Don't ya love bureaucracy?
As one man in the CNN video says, "They say no good deed goes unpunished." Ain't that the truth.
Well, sorta. It's more like the Prius refuses to take the test. When the Prius is set to idle at 2,500 rpm on the tester, it does what it's supposed to do. It shuts off the engine to save fuel. Georgia's pre-hybrid equipment issues a failing grade because of an incomplete test.
Instead of just acknowledging its system is outdated, Georgia still requires Prius owners to pay the $25 testing fee for an "aborted test." That allows them to get a failed certificate from the tester which car owners must take to one of five waiver centers (M-F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) to be granted permission to buy a license plate. Don't ya love bureaucracy?
As one man in the CNN video says, "They say no good deed goes unpunished." Ain't that the truth.
lol
04-17-07, 09:00 PM
#3
Ridiculous...until they get the equipment to test the car properly, they should IMO exempt them. Who knows what BS they get for a fail/abort test certificate when the info is passed through the Georgia DMV system. It may show up as a non-complying car or some other registration PITA when run by the PD or such.
$25 sounds like a nice price otherwise. Wish that price was in CA.
$25 sounds like a nice price otherwise. Wish that price was in CA.
04-17-07, 10:01 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Trending Topics
04-17-07, 10:59 PM
#8
Besides upgrading the equipment, there are ways to force the Prius engine to idle....
Aside from the "Inspection Mode" where you have to do the little dance only those who read the service manual will know, simply running your front defroster on max fan speed should get the engine idling. That and idle it in D and before it shuts down, shift to B. Now this will induce shudder from the engine as it tries to shut down but can't and I don't know if it'll do any damage if it is left in that state for a length of time.
Btw, the above should work for other hybrids too.
Aside from the "Inspection Mode" where you have to do the little dance only those who read the service manual will know, simply running your front defroster on max fan speed should get the engine idling. That and idle it in D and before it shuts down, shift to B. Now this will induce shudder from the engine as it tries to shut down but can't and I don't know if it'll do any damage if it is left in that state for a length of time.
Btw, the above should work for other hybrids too.
04-17-07, 11:45 PM
#9
When at "idle" it shuts off, it is producing "0" in engine emissions...seems that is a "pass". 
Clearly they knew this was coming when Toyota began selling the Prius in late '03. They had plenty of time to update the emissions testing procedure to accommodate the new cars.
Does CA exempt these or do they also have the smog checks?
Clearly they knew this was coming when Toyota began selling the Prius in late '03. They had plenty of time to update the emissions testing procedure to accommodate the new cars.
Does CA exempt these or do they also have the smog checks?
04-18-07, 01:22 PM
#12
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
Besides upgrading the equipment, there are ways to force the Prius engine to idle....
Aside from the "Inspection Mode" where you have to do the little dance only those who read the service manual will know, simply running your front defroster on max fan speed should get the engine idling. That and idle it in D and before it shuts down, shift to B. Now this will induce shudder from the engine as it tries to shut down but can't and I don't know if it'll do any damage if it is left in that state for a length of time.
Btw, the above should work for other hybrids too.
Aside from the "Inspection Mode" where you have to do the little dance only those who read the service manual will know, simply running your front defroster on max fan speed should get the engine idling. That and idle it in D and before it shuts down, shift to B. Now this will induce shudder from the engine as it tries to shut down but can't and I don't know if it'll do any damage if it is left in that state for a length of time.
Btw, the above should work for other hybrids too.
04-18-07, 02:46 PM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
If this is making CNN and national news, I'm sure its not long before Toyota notifies Goergia DOT or DMV or whoever and give them instructions to keep it in idle.
