How to Pass a Smog Test

Smog checks, also known as emissions testing, are the state’s way of making sure your car isn’t polluting the environment excessively. The point of the test is to make sure that your car is operating below the maximum level of emissions, which ultimately helps keep the air cleaner. In California, your car has to pass a smog test before it can be legally registered and driven.

What happens if you fail a smog test in Hanford, CA? Your car might need to undergo repairs, which will be listed in a detailed report. In some cases, the change could be as simple as replacing a gas cap, whereas other cars might require comprehensive repairs and maintenance to get back into shape. (In still other cases, you might decide that the repairs are too costly to justify.)

Here are some basic tips to help make sure your car passes the smog test:

• Figure out why the check engine light is on: A check engine light coming on is an automatic fail in most states, so if yours has been coming on, you should ask a mechanic to take a look at it for you. Many mechanics will be able to use specialized equipment to figure out exactly what the problem may be—even something as simple as an electrical problem.
• Change your oil: Dirty oil contains pollutants that will cause your car to fail smog testing, so make sure that you’ve gotten your 3,000-to-5,000 mile oil change before you go in for smog. (You are remembering to keep up with your oil changes, right?)
• Get a pre-inspection or tune-up: Many places offer “pre-inspection” smog testing that will let you know whether your car will pass and how to fix any problems that arise during testing. This is usually cheaper and isn’t “official,” giving you time to fix the problems before the official smog test that is reported to the DMV.
• Check your battery: If you’ve recently disconnected or changed your battery, wait at least a week to take the smog test. Modern cars use computers, and when the battery is disconnected, this can interfere with the internal emissions monitors. It will take about 100 to 200 miles of driving before the computer resets appropriately.
• Top off your coolant and gas: Low gas levels can expose the pump and let vapor into the line, which could cause your car to fail—and the test itself doesn’t allow as much air to flow through the radiator to cool it off.

Pass smog and emissions testing in Hanford, CA

Get your car ready for smog and emissions testing in Hanford, CA by stopping in at AAA Sandoval Transmissions. Whether you need routine maintenance to keep your car in top shape or major repairs after your car fails its smog test, we can help you get back out on the road. We’re a full-service auto repair shop that specializes in transmissions, but our expertise covers any repair or replacement you might need. Call or stop by today to get your car ready for your next smog check.

Categorised in: Emissions Tests

This post was written by Writer