The latest story of a Prius and the Georgia emissions test
The brains in the Prius are still too smart for the Georgia emissions test. As this article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution explains, the software that state testers use is incompatible with the Prius computer and the testers can't use the workaround that works on other vehicles (measuring the tailpipe exhaust during a two-speed idle test), because the Prius' gas engine shuts down instead of idling. A new 10-step procedure developed specifically for the Prius doesn't work all the time. The AJC article describes the troubles on Prius owner had trying to get his Prius to pass the test. It isn't pretty, but that's what happens when new technology meets outdated regulations and equipment. It's not like this problem is new. Here's an April post that covers the same ground:
[Source: Ken Foskett / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via EV World]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kassandrasduplex 8:24AM (6/23/2009)
Folks, Consumer Affairs (or was it Consumer Reports) ran an article about the Prius fuel mileage claims more than four years ago. The possibility exists that the Prius on-board energy consumption video screen monitor is putting out incorrect numbers. The only true way to get genuine mileage statistics is to fill the tank, record your miles driven, then fill the tank again noting the gas station pump number of gallons used exactly. Then divide your recorded miles by those number of actual gallons used. Disregard the onboard Prius computer monitor.
Furthermore, the EPA has announced new procedures for determining advertised MPG claims to be released this year and a second re-configuring later. I believe they have publicly announced that mileage claims for most cars will drop significantly by the new testing methods.
Reply
MarkR 7:56PM (11/27/2007)
Let me play devils advocate for one moment.
So basically because they can't test the gas engine at a stand still due to the fact the engine won't run, Anyone only interested in saving money but NOT the environment, can gut the catalytic converter get an improved efficiency and better mileage and no one will be the wiser. Or is that why the 10 step test doesn't work all the time? HUMMM?! Or is it because not all testers can't keep up with a moving Prius for 10 steps as they are bent over with an emissions sniffer up the tail pipe? ;) Tail pipe of the prius that is! (get your mind out of the gutter!)
now for the mr. Evil laugh buhahahahahah!
Reply
small-wee-wee 8:22PM (11/27/2007)
Why not do what Massachusetts does? Emissions test require a trip on a dynamometer. All certified inspection stations have them and have for about a decade now.
All states should have such strict regulations. Unlike Florida and many other Southern states they enjoy plowing over mother nature.
Reply
priusguy 12:21AM (11/28/2007)
I didn't even realize that I needed to get my Prius smogged - I thought it was exempt.
Real Prius Prices from Real People
http://www.pricehub.com/price/Toyota/Prius
Reply
Dave 4:42AM (11/28/2007)
MarkR, (un)fortunately your evil plan won't work.
The first step in most emissions tests on modern cars is to perform a OBDII readiness test and check for codes. If the OBDII system isn't ready or there are error codes, you have to clear the codes, which resets the readiness of the system which takes a couple of driving cycles to make ready.
All modern OBDII cars equipped with catalytic converters are also equipped with 2 O2 sensors. One before and one after the catalytic converter. The ECU will read the output from both sensors, the post-cat converter O2 sensor will read slightly leaner than the pre-cat sensor.
If it doesn't, the ECU will trigger a check-engine light indicating low cat efficiency and you will not pass the smog test.
Reply
Preeoos 8:07AM (11/28/2007)
I am talking to You, the owner !
Turn your fan to the 2nd or 3rd speed, adjust your fan deflection to DEFROST ----> your engine will run for the technician to test your emission.
One last thing: get to know your car just like you do to your wife.
Reply
Fred Smith 8:08AM (11/28/2007)
The car is a total POS. A story on the national news yesterday noted that in real world driving, it was returning about 34 mpg. Big deal. My '88 911 approaches that and actually turns, stops and accelerates. Ditto for the Audis my kids drive. A car for clueless tree huggers.
Reply
Guenther 8:09AM (11/28/2007)
Dave- Actually, the post-cat O2 sensor will read slightly "richer" as there will be almost no oxygen left. the Pre-cat sensor actually records about 1% O2 under most conditions, which is a lean condition, if we are only considering 02 as an indicator.
Smal-wee-wee- keep your smog check. Here in MI we don't have one, and don't want one.
Reply
Edslel 8:21AM (11/28/2007)
This is a story that should make everyone cringe when they hear someone proclaim; "the Government should do something!". Government has a place in our lives but, fleet on their feet, they are not. Rapid problem solving is best done outside of committees and bureaucratic regulations; I hope GA Prius owners are patient.
Massachusetts vehicle inspections are required every year, starting when the vehicle is brand new. Inspections costs $29.00 every year, each test takes 30 mins and I have waited four hours to get vehicles tested. The average inspection wait time in our area is one to two hours.
Reply
Fuzzmanmatt 10:14AM (11/28/2007)
An O2 simulator, available for off-road racing applications, is a decent substitute for an after-cat sensor on an OBD II system.
Reply
BILL 10:31AM (11/28/2007)
And to think there are people who think government needs to administer our health care. Government can't even stick a wand up the exhaust pipe of a car and get it right.
Reply
steven 11:21AM (11/28/2007)
@8: Just like most (all?) states that have these emission inspections, older cars are exempt. In MA it is 1983 & older. This means that potnetially BIG polluters NEVER have to get an emissions inspection. In MD, they do the OBDII plug-in check first. If available and your codes are clean, your good to go! (I don't know if you could just clear the codes while your sitting there waiting in line.) Older cars back to 1977 and big trucks up to 26,000 pounds have different tests (dyno, idle test, gas cap leak test). Cars before 1977 are exempt and Hybrids are exempt until 2009...So get that cat by-pass kit now and you could get 20-30 MORE HP!!!!
Reply
M1EK 11:37AM (11/28/2007)
Fred, you're a lying sack of crap - you'd have to ritually abuse a Prius to get it to get mileage that low. Our driving is about the worst possible (frequent short trips on cold engine) and we still do 48.
Reply
andy 12:17PM (11/28/2007)
M1EK: frequent short trips are what hybrids are made for, keeps it mostly on electric, it's highway driving that kills their mpg. I cringe every time I see a hybrid on the Garden State Parkway cause they're destroying their gas mileage. You can't run on electric at 80 mph for very long.
Reply
David 12:43PM (11/28/2007)
CA doesn't require these tests for hybrid cars.
CA has the hardest standards in the country.
CA actually got this one right.
Reply
Nyle 12:36PM (11/28/2007)
Andy what are you talking about? I drive an older Honda Insight, short trips kill the gas mileage. Highway driving is where the major savings in gas are, I get upwards of 66 or so miles per gallon on long trips, while I drop down to about 58 on shorter trips.
Reply
Benson Leung 12:51PM (11/28/2007)
Fred :
My real world fuel economy in my Prius after 30 months of ownership : 49 MPG. I can post the spreadsheet to prove it if you so desire.
Your comment : FAIL
andy : Same goes for your comment. Extremely short trips (ie, only 2 or 3 miles before shutting the car off again) hurt hybrids the same way as regular cars. On the highway, my Prius is able to achieve somewhere from 52 to 55 MPG, so i wouldn't call that "destroying" my mileage.
Reply
krolls 12:59PM (11/28/2007)
Hey Fred,
I drive an Audi & a prius. I get about 21 with the Audi and 45-55 on the prius.
Reply
Peter 2:10PM (11/28/2007)
I think someone is trying to feel smug by pointing out the state's cluelessness when the reality is that they're just demonstrating their own ignorance. Georgia has two testing methods, the Prius will never fail the first.
"All 1996 and newer vehicles will receive a two-part inspection.
* An OBD test to check your vehicle’s emission control performance history.
* A fuel cap inspection to check for adequate seal.
If an OBD test is unable to be performed on a vehicle, it may be necessary to perform a Two-Speed Idle test (TSI).
All 1995 and older model year vehicles will receive a four-part inspection:
* A visual inspection of the catalytic converter to check for tampering or removal.
* ASM2 or Accelerated Simulation Mode Test - A dual-mode test including a 25/25 test = 25 pounds of load at 25 MPH and a 50/15 test = 50 pounds of load at 15 MPH.
* A tailpipe exhaust emission test.
* A fuel cap inspection to check for adequate seal.
An inspector can reject a vehicle for testing if it is considered unsafe to test. If the test has already begun when the safety problem is detected, the inspector may charge the full price of the test."
"What tests will be performed?"
http://www.cleanairforce.com/motorists/emissiontesting.php
Reply
Karkus 2:13PM (11/28/2007)
Andy and Fred are either ignorant or trolls (or both).
Either way, stop posting BS until you learn some facts about green cars. For example, there are large databases on the EPA site and on hybrid sites that show average Prius MPGs in the high 40s.
My Prius has 62000 miles at 49 MPG avg (I can send you the complete 4 year spreadsheet to prove it).
This includes MANY miles on the interstates, MANY in the Colorado mountain, and MANY in/on snow. Short trips in low temps are BY FAR the worst for MPG. If it wasn't for those kinds of trips, the MPG avg would be in the low 50s.
Now back to the real topic:
If Georgia had just consulted a few hybrid experts, they would have quickly figured out how to make hybrids idle for their tests (like the suggestions above). But I guess they didn't do that.
Reply