🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <9h3lkl$1ud$1@gail.ripco.com>, jgamble@ripco.com says...
> I'm due for the emissions test for my car.
> 
> The reports of ham-handed testers screwing up transmissions has me
> a bit nervous.  Can anyone recommend a testing site?  I'm planning
> to drive to one after a maintainence check with my dealership, so
> something near Irving Park Road would be ideal.

Screw-ups seemed pretty common after the roller test was introduced, but 
I haven't heard any serious reports in a long time.

The main thing that went wrong with mine this year was that they weren't 
supposed to roll down my driver's side window all the way. The rollers 
don't bring it back up very easily, but if it's halfway down I can palm 
it and hit the button and it'll judder into place. Naturally, they rolled 
it *all* the way down, and I had to drive home in April weather to get a 
pliers to pull the glass up out of my door.

In other words: don't expect special instructions to be listened to. If 
you have a 2/4WD vehicle, lock it in 2WD mode. They'll ask you which are 
your drive wheels.

Also, I concur -- skip the maintenance check *before* the test. If they 
require any work to be done, the garage charges (if related) will count 
towards the $400-odd limit that will get you a waiver.

-- 
Dan Hartung * dan [at] dhartung [dot] com
Lake Effect weblog: http://www.lakefx.nu/
CHICAGOSTORIES: post yours @ chicagostories.org