Legislative Update 

by Jack Molodanof,  ASCCA Legislative Advocate

Please click here to see ASCCA's full Legislative Update. 

BAR Answers Question Regarding Smog Test Aborts and How They Will Affect a Station's STAR score 

Question: Will the act of aborting a test that was flawed because of an inadvertent keystroke error earlier in the test hurt the station's performance in the STAR Program due to excessive abort rate deviation?

Answer: As far as the STAR Program is concerned, an abort is an abort regardless of the reason. Note, however, that aborts are not recorded to the VID until the start of the emissions test. Consequently, tests that were aborted prior to the beginning of the emissions test portion of the Smog Check inspection will not count against as station's STAR score.

Technicians need to be careful to enter data correctly when performing their Smog Check inspections so an abort will not be necessary to correct improper entries. At the same time, results for aborts as well as the other performance measures are based upon comparisons to other technicians throughout the industry. Stations are allowed to have an abort rate as high as 125% of the statewide average based upon similar vehicles and on the same brand of test equipment before a STAR test deviation occurs. In addition, stations are allowed to have an excessive deviation rate in any one category per quarter and still qualify for the STAR Program. So, while all the aborts after the start of the emissions test are counted for this STAR performance measure, the criteria have been established to take into account situations where stations or technicians make a mistake in data entry or some other reason that requires the test to be aborted.

(Question answered by Garrett Torgerson, Engineer/Government Representative) 

ASCCA has recently become aware of shops being fined by Cal OSHA for not having an eye wash station. All businesses that have any product that is capable of splashing or spraying must have an eye wash station with a minimum of 15 minutes of water flow. Squeeze bottles are OK ONLY for work benches, but must be backed up by a 15 minute eye wash station. This has been regulation since January, 1991.

Dean Lowe of Pacific Management Services, Environmental & Employee Safety Compliance recommends product by Grainger, www.grainger.com, which has several models suitable for mounting on sink faucets, price from $69 to $129 each, depending on the amount of plastic or metal on each model.

Click here  access to the full text of the eye wash station regulation.

ASE Posts YouTube Videos Explaining New Test Format

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) announced the posting of two new videos on YouTube describing what to expect at the test center when taking one of ASE's new Computer-Based Tests (CBT). The videos and three others from ASE, are available on ASE's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/asetests.

ASE has also launched a new website and myASE Updgrade. To see the new website go to www.ase.com.

Final ASE Written Test Scheduled for November 

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) will offer the last of its written certification tests in November. The full complement of forty-plus certification tests for repair professionals and parts specialists will be offered over the course of three evenings on November 10, 15 and 17. The final written tests will be given at hundreds of locations throughout the United States. The registration deadline is September 30, 2011.

Click here for the full News Release.

Air Board Approves $40 Million in Additional Funding for Clean Vehicles

The Air Resources Board approved up to $40 million for the third year of funding to promote the purchase of next-generation clean cars, trucks and off-road equipment.

Californians will be able to use vouchers or rebates on a first-come, first-served basis toward the purchase of zero-emission or plug-in hybrid cars, and zero-emission or hybrid trucks and buses.

"This money is going to put thousands of ultra-clean vehicles on our roads within the year," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "That means better air quality sooner, and real progress in making a dent in our dependence on petroleum."

The Board directed staff to provide the following funding:

• $15 million to $21 million for continued funding of consumer rebates of up to $2,500 toward the purchase of zero-emission or plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles;
• $11 million to $16 million to continue providing vouchers for California businesses to buy lower-emitting and fuel-efficient hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses; and,
• $2 million to $3 million toward promising locomotive, truck and bus technology demonstration projects needed for California to meet its long-term air quality goals.

Click here  for more information on the program and how to apply for a voucher or rebate.

For information on buying the cleanest, most fuel efficient cars on the market, visit DriveClean at www.driveclean.ca.gov.

 Click here   for the full California Air Resources Board's News Release

Consumers Waiting Longer to Buy New Cars 

The average age of vehicles on the road has increased to 11 years old in 2010, from 8.4 years old in 1995, according to auto research firm, Polk. The age increase has given a boost to the automotive aftermarket industry, which has experienced a 14-month year-over-year growth in seasonally adjusted automotive aftermarket retail sales and is expected to remain profitable in the near future.

Likewise, customers are holding onto their cars longer. Based on data from the second quarter of 2010, owners kept their vehicle and average of 63.9 months, or more than five years, and increase of 4.5 months from the same time in 2009, Polk reported.

ASCCA Proudly Announces

New
Diamond Corporate Sponsor

Mudlick Mail

 Become a fan of our Facebook Page! Click here.