My 997.2 is due for its bi-annual California smog check. Question: Can I find a coupon in my local paper for a $19.95 smog check at the local Chevron station or do I need to bend over and take it in to the dealer where only the finest technicians skilled in Porsche muffler bearings, turn signal fluid and unicorn semen are truly qualified to ensure my car's emissions performance?

 

if the car has not been modified and has no issues (CEL etc) then any smog station can handle it.

 

Yep anywhere.

 

You can take it anywhere, but don't come back here crying if your 997 gives birth to donkeys instead of unicorns in a few months!

 

I alway take mine to the same hole in the wall place with the understanding i'm going to wait for it and not just drop it off.

 

One more thing I forgot, when choosing a place look at their dyno and preferably choose a shop with flush floor mount.
I've seen some with a steep drive up on them that could possibly destroy front lips!

 

Make sure they know where the engine is. I went to one place and he opened the frunk for the motor. I left immediately.

 

I opted for a cheepo station and when the "tech" went to get into my 2009 997.2 he put his fingers over the top of the rolled up driver's window to ease into the seat. I was standing right there and reached over and flipped his fingers off the top outside of the window. He plopped down into the seat and, pissed, said he was not going to hurt my car. Sure.

I put the windows down and then sat right there until he pulled it out of the bay.

I will not be back, and next time, no matter where it goes, the windows will be down.

 

Yup, can go anywhere that you trust. If the car is a 2000 or newer they no longer have to run it on the dyno and check output at speed. 2000 and newer they just check that no modifications have been made...and of course charge you $50 and $8 more for a certificate (which they send electronically in 60 seconds). Have to love the Republic of CA tree huggers.

 

Thanks for the responses.. I'll probably just try my luck with the coupon book that shows up in the mail every week.

Gotta love CA. What's even more fun is the "Smog Abatement Fee" owners of cars newer than 6 years have to pay. Since smog checks aren't required on these newer vehicles, the state has to make up the difference so they charge ]this fee in lieu of actually having to take the car in for testing. And it keeps going up.

 

I just smogged my 09 C4S in Chino, CA. $40 and no dyno. Took 5 minutes and that's it.