The State of Georgia has incorrectly entered the RX8 into their emission control computer listings! It is listed as a 2-cylinder engine -- this renders the computer system unable to test our cars.

All the systems in Georgia use the same database, it seems. It will not matter where you take the car for testing -- the dealer will not be able to help.

Until the system is fixed, be advised that getting the RX8 registered is a real PITA. Here's the procedure:

1. Go to an emission testing place. If the technician is not aware of the computer error, go to a different testing place.

2. They will test and fail the car.

3. You'll be given a pamphlet which lists "waiver" facilities.

4. Go to the waiver facility and obtain a waiver in lieu of a successful emissions test report. It's about a five-minute process not counting wait time.

5. Register as usual.

Note that in the metro Atlanta area, there are only about 5 waiver sites. I used the one off of Franklin Road in Marietta and found the staff efficient and courteous. "Oh, you're the second RX8 owner today," she observed.

Hopefully they get this problem resolved soon.

 

damn it, my car is still registered there and I need to get that done too. Stupid GA government

 

I guess this is meant for Atlanta people? I've never had to get any emissions test to register my car, I just pay my money.

 

yeah in Atl as in most metro areas in the country there are emissions rules done when your tag expires to help control smog

 

Don't have to worry about that problem where I stay. Good luck guys, hope they fix it to make lives easier. It's the gov't, so who knows.

 

Thanks for the heads up - am in Smyrna.

Will post this on the local site also. Georgia RX8 club

and am gonna link this back to them. Our buddies at Mazcare and Sutherlin Maz might be able to help us.

 

Hall County doesn't require emmissions testing yet. Thank goodness!

 

I think it is as was stated, a software glitch. I have not contacted gA. Clean Air Board but I would think a quick phone call would clarify.

Chas

 

Sounds like an Easter egg for all those with engine mods! Don't complain...

 

My bad...I forgot to retro-post this (I had added to the other thread on this in the general discussion area:

This is from the GA emissions website:

[testing is required if]

If your vehicle is: a 1983-2004 model year gasoline-powered car or light-duty truck (up to 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating) registered in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding or Rockdale County.

 

hopefully they will get this fixed by October, when I have to give them my money for nothing. They need to do vehicle inspections, not just emissions testing. Way to go Georgia, screw something else up. It is not like a rotary engined car just appeared for the first time, they have been around for a while.

 

My understanding is that the RX7 is in their system correctly. There are probably quite a few of those being tested. The greater-25-year-old exemption would begin now at 1982 cars, I would expect the majority of RX7's remaining on the road are later 1982+.

From that perspective, this screwup is understandable to an extent. How many other rotary-powered production car makes exist? I only know of two: NSU and Mazda. How many models combined? Two or three from NSU, I think. Mazda had the Cosmo, RX's 2,3,4,7 (in 3 gnerations?) & 8, the pick-up truck, and the second, 3-rotor, Cosmo plus maybe some others.

Let's just say 15-20 production car models combined all time...not something a data entry person would see very often especially when emission control systems weren't even required on many of them.

Getting to type in (or click on) "Rotary" seems like something done once a decade, if that, at the DMV.

 

i'm out of state for college (ga tech) and i have home plates (iowa) what do i do about emmissions cuz i know that in iowa they dont have emmission tests (which i find weird) and my car is a 04 but i bought it in 05 so what do i do about emmissions? any help would be nice.

 

emissions testing is done by the state in which your car is licensed in, if you have out of state plates, and intend to keep it that way, this does not apply to you. Only if you plan to re-licence your car here in GA.

 

sweet thank you =)

 

I got my emissions test today. The guy couldn't plug inot the OBD II port. Instead he did the 2 speed idle test with the sniffer in the exhaust. I passed
But, the sheet shows the car listed as a 4 cyl.

 

I went to get my emissions tested today. The computer said my engine was too small and didn't need to be tested. Then I tried to renew online, and of course you need the test.

You can skip the testing all together and save the $25 by getting the waiver. You can go straight to the waive location and they know the deal on the RX-8's. Look online for the nearest locatoin:
http://www.cleanairforce.com/

Warning - If you are looking for the location off of Peachtree Industrial, drive slow as the office park sneaks up on you. I passed it twice, heh.