This past summer I wrote a quick blurb about something that I referred to as the “emissions test” racket. Essentially, the state vehicle emissions tests are all about making certain that our automobiles aren’t putting out higher-than-acceptable emissions from the tail pipe. If the levels are too high, then your vehicle fails. At that point you have to pay to get a tune-up (or some sort of adjustment) until the vehicle passes. Good times!
Now, I’ve never had a vehicle “fail” the emissions test until this past July when the gas cap on my Saab “failed”, for whatever reason. You don’t really ever find out why. I immediately purchased a new ($25) gas cap, trotted back to the testing facility, showed them my receipt, and then received a “pass” on my emissions test. Did you catch what was missing there? They never, ever looked at my new gas cap, nor did they test it.
The whole thing is a “racket”, I tell you. A money-grubbing racket.
Imagine my surprise, then, when my fellow Saab-owning co-worker reports that his gas cap failed at his recent emissions test! The problem? Well… his gap cap is brand-new, Saab-branded, and totally legit. The second problem? Upon providing his receipt, they gave him a passing grade anyhow – despite that fact that it “fails” their testing.
So…here’s a big “thanks, fellas” to all those folks at the emissions testing facilities who obviously care greatly about our environment…
…and a few bucks in their pockets.
Y.I.P.C.A.N.J.O 