Over the past six years I have always been instructed to take my truck to a "test only center" for smog tests.

I began to wonder why and found out that:

"In order to comply with the new mandates of federal Clean Air Act, the Department of Consumer Affairs/Bureau of Automotive Repair (DCA/BAR) is directing fifteen percent (15%) of all vehicles in Enhanced Areas to Test-Only Stations for their Smog Checks. Thirteen percent (13%) are selected by application of the High Emitter Profile, which identifies the vehicles most likely to fail their Smog Checks, with the remaining two percent (2%) to be randomly selected."

My 1994 Toyota 4WD is on the "High Emitter Profile" (HEP) list. (It has never failed smog.) I searched around on the internet trying to get more information, but got nothing more than just a description of the program. I want a list of vehicles on the HEP database.

My truck did pass, with the CO and NO well under the limits and very near the "average" readings, but the HC results were four times the average, but still passing.

Anyone know anything about the HEP list or why these trucks would have a tendancy to pollute more than others? It might be time for a public records request from the government. I found one draft document on ARB's website that indicated the HEP program resulted in increased smog check avoidance. Gee...I wonder why.