My car just failed it's E-Test. I need the MAS replaced, and that's not even a guarantee that will fix the problem.

Atomx took his car for an oil change, and now is coming home with a bill for over $400 since his breaks are fucked up.


So I have two freaking shitty cars that I am spending probably over $1000 to fucking get fixed.


URGH. I HATE CARS

There's an Ontario election coming up in 8 months. Make sure the candidates in your area know you oppose Drive Clean. I'll be doing it too. F*ck Drive Clean!

Two words: Public. Transit.

Posted by Squidgit My car just failed it's E-Test. I need the MAS replaced, and that's not even a guarantee that will fix the problem. Atomx took his car for an oil change, and now is coming home with a bill for over $400 since his breaks are fucked up. So I have two freaking shitty cars that I am spending probably over $1000 to fucking get fixed. URGH. I HATE CARS

You only hate it because you don't understand it. I think it should be required that all drivers take a class on basic car maintenance and basic part replacement. Unfortunately, the dealers would oppose such a movement as it would strip them of their power to rape your pocketbook. And unfortunately, some dealers refuse to work on your car if it is worked on by an "unauthorized" person. Fucking BS.

Posted by KublaKhan Two words: Public. Transit.

I live in a town where there are no public buses, and the nearest train station is in the next town over.

And I'm not taking a taxi, cause they will kill and rape me.

Post by Sinister Crayon You only hate it because you don't understand it. I think it should be required that all drivers take a class on basic car maintenance and basic part replacement

I know lots about cars, more than most women I believe. Heck I TOLD them that the Mass Air Flow Sensor was fucked because they ALWAYS go in my type of car. (since they were wondering why it was unplugged)

I know how to change my tires, check my oil, put in the window washer stuff!! COM'ON THAT'S PRETTY GOOD RIGHT?!?!

I also know how to re-attach a window that has slipped out of place (inside the door)

AND!! I know how to drive stick.. since my car is a standard (and always will be)


I'm cool , right? right????

Posted by Squidgit I live in a town where there are no public buses, and the nearest train station is in the next town over. And I'm not taking a taxi, cause they will kill and rape me. I know lots about cars, more than most women I believe. Heck I TOLD them that the Mass Air Flow Sensor was fucked because they ALWAYS go in my type of car. (since they were wondering why it was unplugged) I know how to change my tires, check my oil, put in the window washer stuff!! COM'ON THAT'S PRETTY GOOD RIGHT?!?! I also know how to re-attach a window that has slipped out of place (inside the door) AND!! I know how to drive stick.. since my car is a standard (and always will be) I'm cool , right? right????

I'll admit, you're better than most women. I admire the fact that you insist to drive a stick, I feel the same way

How is your blinker fluid level?

Posted by Ares How is your blinker fluid level?

Shut up! haha.

Posted by Sinister Crayon I'll admit, you're better than most women. I admire the fact that you insist to drive a stick, I feel the same way

Yes, I can't STAND automatics. I feel so lazy driving them.

I like standards, I feel I have more control over my car.

And I like it better in the winter

Posted by Squidgit I like standards, I feel I have more control over my car.

That feeling is not an illusion.

Posted by Sinister Crayon That feeling is not an illusion.

Good to know

Drive clean is the biggest fucking money grab since.. whatever. It's shit.

I have 2 Toyota Tercels that are the same year, same colour (and have the same VIN number.. hehehe) simply because, with the modifications done to my daily driver, it WON'T pass... so I let them test the other car!

Drive clean is not only a money grab, but it is also a good way to start reducing emissions. It wouldn't be so bad if they actually went after all the cars on the road that couldn't pass but purchase 'fake' pass certificates. If your car does not have all the required emission control equipment or burns oil it shouldn't be on the road. Period.

Change your oil every 5000km
Change/clean your air filter every 10,000km
Change fuel filter as recommended by owners manual
Do full tune-ups when recommended
Maintain your exhaust when hangers break
Clean your injectors

-all these things will help ensure you pass your etest every time.


Note: All wheel drive vehicles only have to do a 2-speed idle test without the use of a dyno, so they almost always pass their etests.

Oh God... I'd better replace my car immediately, then! It burns oil!

The only emission control my car has on it is a catalytic converter... which is hollow, just in case they pull me over and check... and it, my friend, is on the road.

Other things CAN go wrong to make a well maintained car fail- O2 sensors, EGR valves, faulty temp sensors keeping the engine in "cold start" mode, leaking injectos (whether they've been cleaned or not). There are hundreds of variables on today's cars that can affect it, not just keeping it maintained.
As for the 2 speed idle test for AWD cars... I've seen a few Subarus flunk that pretty badly. Also... air filter every 10k? Are you nuts? I'd be putting an air filter in my car every 2 weeks, and the stock one is $44)

(Actually... I have a reuseable cone filter.)


It's still a fucking scam.

Posted by bandi Oh God... I'd better replace my car immediately, then! It burns oil! The only emission control my car has on it is a catalytic converter... which is hollow, just in case they pull me over and check... and it, my friend, is on the road. Other things CAN go wrong to make a well maintained car fail- O2 sensors, EGR valves, faulty temp sensors keeping the engine in "cold start" mode, leaking injectos (whether they've been cleaned or not). There are hundreds of variables on today's cars that can affect it, not just keeping it maintained. As for the 2 speed idle test for AWD cars... I've seen a few Subarus flunk that pretty badly. Also... air filter every 10k? Are you nuts? I'd be putting an air filter in my car every 2 weeks, and the stock one is $44) (Actually... I have a reuseable cone filter.) It's still a fucking scam.

Yeah, emissions tests are a joke. We actually had to swap engines on a 76 Gran Torino just to pass. Then once the car got home, put the other engine back in. Shame we got rid of it, twould have been a good car to restore.

Posted by bandi Oh God... I'd better replace my car immediately, then! It burns oil! The only emission control my car has on it is a catalytic converter... which is hollow, just in case they pull me over and check... and it, my friend, is on the road.

You should fix the engine leaks causing the car to burn oil, and yes your car shouldn't be on the road. You have modified it to create more power then it was designed or tested at.... your car does not belong on the road.

I highly doubt that you drive 10,000 km every 2 weeks or you would be driving 260,000 km per year.

I drive 50,000 km per year / about 1000 km per week. I clean my air filter and re-oil it every 10,000 km and it only costs a few dollars a year for the oil (the kit actually lasts more then a year anyway)

If it is too expensive to properly maintain your vehicle then you can't afford that vehicle. Why should anyone be allowed to pollute the air more then their neighbours because they can't 'afford' to fix their car.

I fully ackknowledge that there are hundreds of items on a car that may cause the failure of an emission test, however basic maintenance is the first defense of an engine. Running clean oil, unobstructed air flow, solid / properly installed exhaust systems, clean injectors, ect. reduce the wear and tear on an engine and therefore reduce the severity of other engine problems.

Yes, I had a brain malfunction when I said 10,000 km every 2 weeks... still, I do about 10,000 km a month, sometimes more. I bought my car just over a year ago, and have put 130,000 km on it in that time.

As for the oil burning... my car has perforated valve guides, this allows oil to lubricate the upper cylinder, so some oil burning is expected. I had a BMW M car with the same thing.

Also... just for the record of how unreliable the driveclean system is... I had my car e-tested yesterday, and it passed.

When I used to do e-testing, cars would fail, you'd run them again an hour later, they'd pass. The machines are a complete joke.

Posted by bandi Drive clean is the biggest fucking money grab since.. whatever. It's shit. I have 2 Toyota Tercels that are the same year, same colour (and have the same VIN number.. hehehe) simply because, with the modifications done to my daily driver, it WON'T pass... so I let them test the other car!

It sure is, my shit car died right after i had the damn thing fixed to pass certification. The p-o-s caught fire on my way home. I havent had a car since, but I'm lucky enough to live downtown, although the busses run pretty much when they want around here.

But...my point was that those gas guzzling SUV's don't pollute the environment more then my 80's caddy did? Fuck that -- it was just a bs attempt at forcing me to buy a new car which I couldnt afford. So I lost out and now the gov't isent even screwing me with the high taxes gas rates.

Oh well.

Bandi -- you must have an interesting life driving that much!

Posted by Air 33 It sure is, my shit car died right after i had the damn thing fixed to pass certification. The p-o-s caught fire on my way home. I havent had a car since, but I'm lucky enough to live downtown, although the busses run pretty much when they want around here. But...my point was that those gas guzzling SUV's don't pollute the environment more then my 80's caddy did? Fuck that -- it was just a bs attempt at forcing me to buy a new car which I couldnt afford. So I lost out and now the gov't isent even screwing me with the high taxes gas rates.

What part of the E-Test caused your car to light on fire? Can you say conincidence.

Your 80's cadilac MAY have polluted more then those big gas guzzling SUVs because it had less emissions equipment, older injection technology, more wear and therefore possibly more oil leakage into the engine.

Posted by bandi As for the oil burning... my car has perforated valve guides, this allows oil to lubricate the upper cylinder, so some oil burning is expected. I had a BMW M car with the same thing. Also... just for the record of how unreliable the driveclean system is... I had my car e-tested yesterday, and it passed. When I used to do e-testing, cars would fail, you'd run them again an hour later, they'd pass. The machines are a complete joke.

If the car was designed to burn some oil, the E-Test computer is aware of the acceptable range for that vehicle's engine. Not all tests between different vehicles are identical. The ranges vary depending on model year, engine size, brand, ect. The test is only a comparison of YOUR Vehicle to that of other identical vehicles.

Your car was in the acceptable range if it passed, what's the problem?

I test emissions on natural gas, propane, and fuel-oil fired industrial burners, the emissions change all the time due to outside temperature, humidity, wind speed, rain, ect. If you test a car and it fails, an hour later the conditions may be right for it to pass.

The E-test is a waste of money, but it also indicated to the owner of the vehicle that there may be a major problem. Think of it as having blood work done, it may highlight some concerns.