BAR-OIS Testing Equipment
As the industry becomes more comfortable with the Bureau of Automotive Repair On-Board Diagnostic Inspection System (BAR-OIS), most technicians are properly testing model-year 2000 and newer gasoline-powered and hybrid vehicles, and model-year 1998 and newer diesel-powered vehicles using the BAR-OIS testing equipment.
However, some technicians continue to test these newer model-year vehicles on the BAR-97 Emissions Inspection System (EIS). Testing on the wrong equipment can result in a citation, which can include an Order of Abatement, monetary fine, or training requirement, and could, based on the repeated violations, impact STAR certification.
To help stations and technicians ensure the correct equipment is being used for the vehicle being tested, the Smog Check Manual, ET Blasts, and other resources are available on BAR’s website at www.bar.ca.gov.