Emission testing

[Zydell <jzydell@erols.com>]

I went through Maryland emission testing on my '96 GLX for the first
time on Friday.  I passed with flying colors (which was nice), but I
wasn't filled with confidence by the competence of the technicians.

Maryland tests cars on a dyno, to get an accurate reading of emissions
of the car under load.  While they are testing the car, the customer
stands nearby in a room that allows them to view the test (but not to
hear it).  It seemed they were having a difficult time running the
test.  All 3 technicians present got into my car, did something, started
to look confused, and got back out. Great - the equipment wasn't
working, right?  One of the techs came into the room and said the test
was complete, but they couldn't get my car off the dyno!!  Could I
please drive it off myself?  She made some lame excuse that those Jettas
were tough to get off the dyno, and reverse is where first gear is on
most cars, and that I probably knew the car better, etc.  I shook my
head and drove it off the dyno for them.  I guess it is good that they
didn't try so hard they ruined something, huh?

That wasn't the funniest part.  I looked at the emissions readout and
noticed that the printout had "VW Jetta" listed, and one of the techs
scratched out "Jetta" and wrote in "Sport".  Apparently, they noticed
the "VW Sport" sticker on the rear passenger window and thought it
looked like a factory emblem stating the car was a Sport rather than a
Jetta! :-D
- -- 
John Zydell
'96 black Jetta GLX 5-speed
Autothority Chip, K&N drop-in, Mobil 1 15W-50, euro switch, 35% tinted
windows, 
tinted side marker lights, tinted fog light covers