If so, you might be the culprit behind long wait times at Naperville's emissions testing site. On May 1 the IEPA closed several testing facilities in the state, including the one at 5106 Walnut Ave. in Downers Grove. Since then, the volume of vehicles passing through the Naperville facility at 435 Weston Ridge Road has spiked considerably.
According to Ron Wohrle, operations manager of the vehicle emissions test program for the IEPA, in April 8,446 vehicles were tested at the site. In May the number jumped to 11,569 vehicles, and in June the total reached 14,361 vehicles. Although there has been an increase in the number of vehicles tested at the Naperville station, test volume is still below station capacity, Wohrle said. Motorists are encouraged to test as soon as possible when they receive a test notice and to avoid the end of the month.
During June the peak wait-time hours in Naperville were between noon and 3 p.m. about 10 minutes. The shortest wait time for Naperville was between 8 and 10 a.m., Wohrle said. Then the wait was 2 to 3 minutes. For the first week of July, the average wait time for Naperville was also seven minutes. The peak wait time was between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., with a wait of 10 to 14 minutes. The shortest time during that week was between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. with a wait of four to six minutes.
Do you wait till just before the deadline to test your car and then wonder why the lines are so long? What was your last experience at a testing site? Do the IEPA's wait-time numbers jive with the last time you went to the testing center?
John Q.
Let some smart people come up with a procedure. Just like they do for DUI's.
I remember in the 70's when people would disconnect their catalytic converters from their cars for better mileage, but more emissions. Police in California had a mirror (like the ones used to check cars at Water Tower Place) they would use to check if the catalytic converter was connected. If not, the car was impounded.
I suspect with computers and other technology, police could check if cars are compliant. Strategic government is better than BIG GOVERNMENT.
I'm with Dan D. A loose gas cap can set off a sensor.
I don't understand how this nonsense got made into law. One Saturday morning recently I took my well maintained car to the site near Route 59 and sat in a line of about 75 cars with my engine running, inching forward, for about half an hour. They then downloaded from the onboard computer, gave me a form, and I left. How is that helping air quality? Or is it more about providing state jobs for people?
Dan D wrote:
"Most cars are maintained, otherwise they would not run. Those that appear to be problematic could be tested. If they fail the test, they should be immediately impounded and towed to a certified mechanic. However, most will simply be towed to the junk yard since they are scrap and the 'owners' do not bother to have them tested."
Cars can run just fine, but still have problems with emissions. Moreover, who decides which cars "appear to be problematic", and what is the process by which this would be done?
I try to test my car as soon as I get my notice. I make an effort to drive by the test station in my travels, and when there are only a few cars there, I go in. I've never waited longer than ten minutes to get my car tested using this method.
This entire program is a disaster and represents BAD BIG GOVERNMENT. In order to properly operate my vehicles, they need to be maintained. At least every six to nine months, my vehicle is taken back to the dealer or a qualified repair shop to for scheduled maintenance. As part of this maintenance, my dealer has to check the computer.
Why not set up a procedure where certified mechanics can download data from cars they maintain to DMV? Then you can eliminate the test for these cars and save the $6.95 per test.
Most cars are maintained, otherwise they would not run. Those that appear to be problematic could be tested. If they fail the test, they should be immediately impounded and towed to a certified mechanic. However, most will simply be towed to the junk yard since they are scrap and the "owners" do not bother to have them tested.