The technician is not correct in the sense that your vehicle information DOES matter, as the dynomometer places a greater load on the vehicle during the drive test if the engine size is indicated as greater than what it realy is. However in terms of the check engine light, that would cause a smog check failure regardless of what vehicle information was entered into the smog machine.
At this point since you have installed a new battery, you will need to drive for at least one week in all traffic conditions; freeway, city, stop and go, parking the vehicle for at least 4 hours... basicly just a standard weeks drive (at least 200 miles).
You can than return to the smog station and ask them to conduct the smog test properly, entering the correct information into the smog machine.
If your vehicle was not tested on the dynomometer, the engine size and vehicle year still determines the allowable emission cutscores. Either way the information must always be entered correctly.
posted by SmogTips Support
