Smog is one of the many different types of air pollutants. It is most commonly released into the air primarily from vehicles that are powered by internal combustion engines. Another major source that contributes heavily to the amount of smog in the atmosphere is industrial fumes. Smog is extremely toxic to humans and can lead to illness. In some cases, smog can impact life expectancy and can even be fatal. Owing to the fact that smog has very harmful implications on people and the environment, the Department of Motor Vehicles requires all vehicles to pass a smog inspection in order to ensure that vehicular emissions are kept within safe limits.
This is the main reason why you need to visit a smog station. These stations offer certifications to vehicles for passing the inspection test. If your vehicle fails the emissions test, you will not be able to register the vehicle. Once the smog test has been completed, you will receive a detailed report from the attendant that carried out the test, highlighting the issues with your car and detailing the repairs needed. Make sure you keep this report safe because you will need to present it at a repair shop in order to ensure that there is confusion about the issues that need to be fixed. Here are a few things that you should know before you take your car to a smog station:
The “Check Engine” Light
If you really want to improve your chances of passing the smog test in the first attempt, the first thing you need to do is worry about the “check engine” light. The light indicates any number of issues that may exist in your engine. Most people do not worry about the check engine light simply because they don’t feel a difference in performance. However, if you don’t fix the problems that cause the check engine light to come on, your chances of passing the test are lowered considerably. For instance, if it’s an issue with the oxygen sensor, your car may be producing more emissions than you might have thought.
Change the Oil
If it’s been a while since you changed the oil, it is sensible to get the oil changed before you take the car to a smog station. Most cars require an oil change after 3,500-4,000 KMs iror around three months since the last oil change (whichever is earlier).
Another important tip that you should consider is to take your car for a tune-up just before the smog test. Tuning the car means cleaning all the plugs and making sure that the engine is in top shape, thus increasing your chances of passing!
