Understanding the Smog Check Process – A Step by Step Guide
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Preparing for Your Smog Check in Canoga Park: Tips and Advice
Before you take your vehicle to a smog inspection station in Canoga Park, there are some things that you can do to help ensure that you pass. Most of these steps do not take much time and they can make a big difference in your chances of passing.
- Run Right – A car that is not running properly will most likely fail the test. This is why it is important to seek repair assistance if you have mechanical issues with your vehicle before attempting to have a smog check completed.
- Take a Drive – It is recommended that you drive your vehicle for at least 10 to 15 miles before heading to the smog station. This will help warm up your engine and ensure that it is running at its optimum level before the test takes place.
- Use a Fuel Additive – There are many fuel additives that have been proven to reduce emissions and increase your chances of passing the test. Typically these additives are poured directly into the gas tank while refueling your vehicle. However, some of these additives have a warning that you should not use them while your car is being smog tested so read the label carefully before using one.
- Inflate Your Tires – If you are taking your vehicle to be tested on a dynamometer then it is essential that your tires are inflated at the proper levels in order to offer the best accuracy during the exam. Inflating your tires properly will not only improve the overall output of your vehicle’s emissions, but it will also allow the smog technician to perform the inspection more accurately.
- Change Your Oil – If you have not changed your oil in a while it is vital that you do so before your smog check. This is due to the fact that the PCV (positive crank ventilation) system in your vehicle allows your engine to breathe in fumes located within its oil pan. If the oil in your vehicle is contaminated it can cause problems with your engine’s emissions and therefore may lead to your vehicle failing the test.
- See to it Your Battery Hasn’t Recently Been Disconnected – If you have recently had your battery replaced or had a jump start performed on your vehicle then it is vital that you wait at least a week before you get the smog test done. Whenever a battery is disconnected or depleted, the computer system in your vehicle erases the inner self-test monitors that are needed to pass the smog test.
- Apply to the Consumer Assistance Program – This program provides income-eligible consumers assistance toward emissions-related repairs at a STAR test-and-repair station when their vehicle fails its biennial smog check. The program is administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair and can help you get your smog test results back in compliance with state laws.
