Well I'm finally paying the price for the idiotic decision to buy a hybrid Honda Civic back way back in 2005 (besides the obvious damage it did to to my dignity).
Background:
The thing still averages 45 mpg just like it did when it was new, and everything in the hybrid system operates like it always has, but it has tossed codes P1600 and P1449, indicating degraded hybrid battery condition (essentially it's starting to get tired but definitely isn't dead yet). Resetting the codes/pulling the 12v battery won't clear it, and from everything I read when searching about those codes indicates it's hopeless to pass emissions without replacing the 144V battery. The stealership laughed when I asked how much a replacement was and then tried to sell me a new Civic since the car is worth less than the replacement battery, which just made me say F#$% Honda and walk out of there. Off brand replacement batteries run $2700 or so. It works just fine still! The hybrid system is simply assists the gas motor, and isn't actually critical to the vehicle running and driving. If the battery says it is tired but the car still runs clean and drives fine, I refuse to replace it or call the vehicle totaled. All I want is for my 45 mph car to pass emissions!
I oft hear people say "Just register it in a non-emissions county" in regards to rigs that wont pass, and while it sounds easy, I want to hear from someone who has actually done it before I waste a day dealing with the DMV outside of SL county. Don't I have to live in another county (or own land perhaps) to do that? My family has a cabin in Wasatch county, which I believe is a non emissions county, perhaps I can utilize that to facilitate the process, but I don't have the time during DMV operating hours to spend simply finding out if it's possible.
So let's hear how it's done. How do I get around this silly emissions law in a ultra clean running PZEV car that gets 3 times better mileage than my emissions passing Land Cruiser?
Background:
The thing still averages 45 mpg just like it did when it was new, and everything in the hybrid system operates like it always has, but it has tossed codes P1600 and P1449, indicating degraded hybrid battery condition (essentially it's starting to get tired but definitely isn't dead yet). Resetting the codes/pulling the 12v battery won't clear it, and from everything I read when searching about those codes indicates it's hopeless to pass emissions without replacing the 144V battery. The stealership laughed when I asked how much a replacement was and then tried to sell me a new Civic since the car is worth less than the replacement battery, which just made me say F#$% Honda and walk out of there. Off brand replacement batteries run $2700 or so. It works just fine still! The hybrid system is simply assists the gas motor, and isn't actually critical to the vehicle running and driving. If the battery says it is tired but the car still runs clean and drives fine, I refuse to replace it or call the vehicle totaled. All I want is for my 45 mph car to pass emissions!
I oft hear people say "Just register it in a non-emissions county" in regards to rigs that wont pass, and while it sounds easy, I want to hear from someone who has actually done it before I waste a day dealing with the DMV outside of SL county. Don't I have to live in another county (or own land perhaps) to do that? My family has a cabin in Wasatch county, which I believe is a non emissions county, perhaps I can utilize that to facilitate the process, but I don't have the time during DMV operating hours to spend simply finding out if it's possible.
So let's hear how it's done. How do I get around this silly emissions law in a ultra clean running PZEV car that gets 3 times better mileage than my emissions passing Land Cruiser?
