Legend Emissions Check
Odometer (Legend): 527,260
Odometer (ILX): 56,760
The great news today is that I’m street legal for another 2 years in the Legend. My new renewal sticker expiring November 2015 is on its way in the mail after undergoing the renewal process today at lunch. Arizona has a good grip on how to lessen the pain of automotive registration. Thankfully, it required no trip to a motor vehicle office.
I instead went to the ADEQ (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality) emissions check station near my work and waited in line with the car for about 15 minutes before having the test performed. The fee of $27.75 has been the same since I moved to Arizona in 2006. I was sent on my way with a VIR (Vehicle Inspection Report). Then, I went online and paid $108 for a 2-year renewal. Done-zo.
The last time I had the emissions performance checked on the car was in November 2011, when I shared all previous reports. Following is a summary table showing the results of each of the 5 tests performed on the car since I moved here: 255,000 miles, 302,000 miles, 401,000 miles, 500,000 miles, and 527,000 miles:
Note: For all 3 areas evaluated, the Legend performed better at 527,000 miles than it did at 255,000 miles when my first emissions check was performed. I also found it interesting how widely some of the numbers can vary while still being within acceptable standards.
At least I had nice scenery during my wait, stuck behind this nice black AMG Benz.
For purposes of the test, the technician gets inside the vehicle and runs it through all 6 gears on a dyno while an exhaust tube is connected to the muffler. I had to show him how to deactivate the Traction Control System that was kicking in, but otherwise it was a smooth experience and he didn’t grind my gears.
The only comment that he made about the car after taking down the mileage was, “Are you the original owner?” I should have told him, “No, I was only 11 when this car came out.” But I just said “Yes,” so I could get on my way! Here are the numbers:
And we’re off! Glad to have this taken care of for another 2 years. Cheers!
drivetofive 
October 17, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Are all car registration renewals in Arizona for two years? You can’t renew for 1 year?
October 17, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Carlos, I could have renewed for just one year but I didn’t want to deal with any hassles again next Oct/Nov, so I just paid the higher fee and took care of it. I think for some of the ‘special plate’ type transactions, you can renew for up to 5 years at a time here! How is it in FL?
October 21, 2013 at 10:46 am
In Florida, you can also renew for two years but this is only because of a recent change in the law. Before a couple of years ago, you could only renew for 1 year at a time.
October 17, 2013 at 8:26 pm
“He didn’t grind my gears”… reminds me of my last emissions test, the technion tried to start my car when it was already idleing! I wish I could of ground his gears! My car was so quiet, I was thinking of telling him that the car was already ‘on’ when it was too late! Cheers!
October 17, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Penny, the sound of a car being “re-started” while it’s already running is like nails on a chalkboard! That’s too bad the technician was so clueless. I always get a little leery of other people driving my Legends. More so when it’s random people, as opposed to people who KNOW Legends. I’ll let people at Legend meets drive my car all day long, but rarely turn the key over to a random friend who just needs to borrow a car.
October 19, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Tyson, that Legend continues to amaze me! I didn’t know Arizona required emissions checks. Not sure why New Mexico hasn’t gotten into that game. Seeing how gorgeous your Desert Mist Metallic is makes me excited to find a Carbon Bronze TL-S.
October 20, 2013 at 7:00 am
I’m surprised NM doesn’t do smog checks, too. Maybe they do it in the the larger cities only? Here in AZ there are only certain counties (like the PHX Metro Area, in Maricopa county) that participate. Flagstaff (Coconino county) does not.