If you are a vehicle owner that lives in California, you need a smog check. There are no two ways about it. It?s mandated by the state ? new vehicles need to pass a smog test 6 years after the manufacture date, and then every 2 years afterwards. The only exceptions are cars that were made before 1976, and diesel cars and trucks made before 1998. Unless you want to run afoul of the law, you need to get your vehicle tested.
Of course, we understand that the smog test itself can be a nerve-wracking experience. Unless you are a mechanic, the smog check process can be a completely unfamiliar experience. But keep in mind that in the end, passing the test will be a good thing for you and your car.
What Makes a Smog Check Beneficial to the Car Owner
For most people, the reason to pass the emissions test is simple: if you fail, you can?t register your vehicle and driving it will therefore be illegal. But even beyond that, there are a number of very good reasons why testing for smog is mandatory:
Failing an emissions test is a sign that there may be something wrong with the vehicle. It may run fine so the owner usually won?t notice until it is too late. In this sense, a smog check helps catch future problems before they become unmanageable
Need Help Passing a Smog Test?
Failing an emissions test is a very real risk, because cars do fail over time and will most definitely fail if you are not diligent in its upkeep. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do beforehand that will increase your chances of passing the check.
- Get your oil changed regularly ? one of the key culprits of poor emissions, even on cars that have no problems otherwise, is dirty oil. Old oil can release pollutants that will lead to emissions test failure. So make sure you bring your car to Davies Auto Care regularly for an oil change.
- Get a car tune up ? you can do tune ups and maintenance checks on your car by yourself, but you really need a technician to do it if you don?t want to miss a few hard-to-spot problems. For example, there may be cracks in the hoses that are not easily seen by the average person. These cracks are common culprits in failed smog checks.
- Get a pre-inspection ? a surefire way of passing emissions testing is to get a pre-inspection yourself. Davies Auto Care offers smog checks that will ensure you pass California?s smog checks, and may even find other potential issues not normally tested by emissions testing. It is an added expense, but considering the cost of failing a smog test and not being able to use your car, you are actually saving money in the long run.
Due for a Smog Check Soon? Drop By Davies Auto Care
If you are due for emissions testing soon, don?t throw caution to the wind. Bring your car over to Davies Auto Care and we?ll make sure it?s in tip-top shape. Contact us for your concerns or to get a free estimate.
