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The California
Department of Consumer Affairs/Bureau of Automotive Repair (DCA/BAR)
recommends that you refer to your vehicles owner’s manual for
information on how often to service your car. We hope you'll also use
the following tips that will help save gas, keep California's air
clean and help your car pass its Smog Check:
#1.
Make sure your tires are inflated properly and check wheel alignment.
#2. Change
your engine oil and oil filter regularly.
#3. Change
your fuel filter regularly.
#4. Always
refer to your owner's manual and use the motor oil and fuel recommended
by the manufacturer.
#5. Change
your air filter regularly.
#6. Keep your
engine tuned.
#7. Check
your emission control devices.
#8. Service
your engine right away when warning lights go on.
#9. Check
all hoses, wiring and belts.
#10. Check
the PCV valve and breather elements.
Consider
a Pre-Inspection Test
If you're not sure whether your vehicle will pass its Smog Check, you
can ask a licensed> Smog Check technician for information about a
pre-inspection test. A pre-inspection helps diagnose any potential
emissions-related problems, giving you a chance to make necessary
repairs before your vehicle undergoes an official Smog Check
inspection.
Personal Visual Inspection of your
vehicle
During your personal inspection at home, ensure all hoses and wires
properly connected. Make sure there are no visible fuel leaks.
You can refer to the Under Hood Emission Label. This label will allow
you to determine which emission components your vehicle is required to
have.
If your engine is running rough or is misfiring, you may want to
conduct a PRE-TEST to help diagnose the problems prior to an official
Smog Check. Or you can have a qualified Test and Repair Smog
Stations take a look at your vehicle.
"Check Engine" Light
To avoid spending hundreds down the road, the Check Engine light
should be diagnosed as soon as possible by a reputable and certified
auto repair station. The smog technician must have diagnosed the Check
Engine problem before the smog inspection and must be prepared to
enter the required Check Engine information/codes into the smog
machine. Only then will your vehicle pass the smog test with the Check
Engine light illuminated.
Gas Cap & Filler
Your vehicles gas cap and filler neck will also be inspected. They
will have to be of proper fit and design. The gas cap must be able to
hold pressure at factory specifications and the filler neck must not
be altered to accept leaded gases. This test is to insure the vehicle
is not polluting fuel tank fumes through the filler neck or using the
wrong type of fuel. Most vehicles pass this portion of the test with
no problems. If your vehicle's gas cap appears to be lose or broken it
may not pass. You will more then likely then have to purchase a new
gas cap and smog inspection in order to get your car smog certified.
Most local auto parts stores carry gas caps for a variety of vehicles.
Ignition Timing
During this exam the smog technician will insure your engine is
supplying electric current to the sparkplugs at the correct time in
its cycle. Please note some newer vehicles do not require a timing
check because of computer controlled timing systems. You can find out
if your vehicle requires a timing inspection by reading the vehicles
emissions label, normally located on the bottom panel of the vehicle's
hood. If your vehicle does require this exam you can ensure passing it
by performing it yourself at home. It does require the use of a timing
light and minimal mechanical experience. Timing lights are available
at auto parts stores in your area. Look at your vehicles "Underhood
Emissions Label" for timing specifications and procedures.
EGR Valve
Some vehicles have to also undergo an EGR valve inspection. Make
sure your EGR valve is working properly - this helps control NOx.
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