Canadian Hummer Club Forums

PrivatePilot;4287648 wrote:Over 5 years it needs a test. I think there is something in the books to increase this very soon to 7 years, but it's not law as of yet so the old rule applies. It's entirely possible this new extension may not apply to diesels anyways, don't quote me.



Under 4500 KG placarded GVWR = Light duty diesel test. Visual test, basically.



Over 4500 KG placarded GVWR = Heavy duty diesel test. The full "sniffer" opacity test, usually only available at a heavy diesel shop that typically handles class 8.



Now, you didn't hear this from me (and I'd rather it stays here in this club group out of public view) but there IS a loophole you can use if you play your cards right to get your >4500KG truck tested under the (stupid easy to pass) light duty diesel test instead of the much more stringent and difficult to pass (especially if you have a tune) heavy duty opacity test.



It's in everyones best interest not to spread this loophole around as it would likely be closed....so bite your tongue.



First, your truck must be "registered" for 4500 KG or less. If you're registered heavy you *might* have a problem, but it's worth proceeding anyways to try first.



Secondly, you need a certified scale ticket showing the ACTUAL weight of your truck. Even though your door sticker may show 4500KG or over for your GVWR, your "Actual" weight (and the word "actual" is the key here) will be less than 4500 KG.



Third...print off this Drive Clean pamphlet:



http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume ... 079014.pdf



Stated in that PDF:

Light-duty vehicles



The Light Duty Drive Clean program requires most passenger cars, vans, light trucks (under 4500 kilograms) and sport utility vehicles registered in the Drive Clean program area to be tested in order to renew the stickers on their licence plates.

This effectively states that vehicles "under 4500 Kilograms" are considered "light duty". It does not mention "GVWR" anywhere. ;-)



Now, armed with this information, find a local drive clean center and argue your case. "This document from the Drive Clean program states that only vehicles over 4500 Kilograms are considered heavy duty. Here's my certified scale ticket showing my truck only weighs 3800 Kilograms. I would like my truck tested under the light duty test please.".



The little mom and pop shops that do emissions testing typically on cars (and tend not to see many diesels) are your best bet here. The large shops like Canadian Tire, Green & Ross, etc etc will all turn you away as they hold fast on the 4500 KG "GVWR", even though it's stated in many places in the Drive Clean program that "weighs more than 4500KG" is the cut off.



Once you find the right place that is willing to read the rules the way I do, you are home free and will get tested as a light duty truck. The drive clean computer will initially barf when they put in your vehicles VIN as it will come back to a vehicle with a GVWR of >4500KG...but it can be overridden and the weight manually changed to <4500KG. In my case, they input my "actual" weight shown on my scale ticket.



Totally legal and above board according to the place that did my test, but a loophole that is seldom used.



The computer accepted this and away we went. The "test" is basically little more than an idle smoke visual inspection, and a mid-speed drive smoke visual inspection, as well as a gas-cap check. All three good? You pass.



I walked out 20 minutes later with my "Light duty" certificate good for 2 years. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... >/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />