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Every two years, car owners in California must have their cars pass a smog inspection to register their vehicles for the following year. As of Jan. 1, 2005, car owners can pay a $20 smog abatement fee instead of taking the test if they own a car less than six years old. Other exceptions are made for certain natural gas, diesel, trailers, hybrids, motorcycles and older gas vehicles before 1976. While it can be unnerving for the majority of owners whose vehicles arent exempt, they can follow a few steps to make help ensure their car passes the next California smog check.

Instructions

1

If your car is newer, ask your friends for a reliable smog check place. While on paper all certified smog testing facilities should follow the rules, some businesses want to make an extra profit by intentionally failing your vehicle. If youve taken your cars to the same place for years, and they have always passed, its a good idea not to switch. Even if a new place offers a coupon or deal to try their facility, you could end up paying much more after the entire ordeal. While test-only stations are authorized only to perform smog checks, other places can perform repairs in addition to the smog test, so unless a test-only station is in cahoots with a neighboring repair facility, there is less profit to be made from test-only stations, especially if they offer free-retesting.

2

If your car is older, take it to a smog check and repair facility where you know the mechanic. In 2010 a California state audit, about one third of pre-1996 cars passed a roadside smog check only one year after passing at a typical test station. The results of the audit suggested widespread fraud in the testing centers. While you shouldnt take your car to a repair facility where you know the mechanic in an effort to join the many scamming the system, you should take it to a legitimate place where you know the mechanic in order to get a good price quote on the parts and labor involved in repairing a failed car.

3

Use your stock tires. If you replace stock tires with larger ones, the results from the dynamo-meter will be incorrect and can cause your vehicle to fail.

4

Set your engine ignition timings to manufacturer specifications. Incorrect ignition timings can cause your vehicle. Car repair manuals such as Haynes, Mitchell and Chilton sometimes have different ignition timings listed for what should be a standard number for your vehicle, so ask the testing facility what book they use as a erence before submitting your vehicle to their test.

5

Drive your car for an hour before the test to heat up the catalytic converter, which reduces the emissions from your car and causes it to operate more efficiently.

Smog tests are designed to make sure vehicles are not emitting a higher than acceptable amount of exhaust into the atmosphere when they are driven. Failing a smog test can cause problems when you go to renew your vehicles registration. Some states and counties do not allow vehicles that fail a smog test to be registered until they can pass the test. Smog is fog that has been contaminated with smoke, exhaust and chemical fumes.

Good Maintenance

Keep your vehicle in good working condition. Cars tend to emit more exhaust gases when they are not running properly or are overdue for routine maintenance procedures such as oil and filter changes. You should also refrain from running low quality fuel in your vehicle right before you have an emission or smog test performed. Low quality fuel can cause your vehicle to emit more exhaust and run poorly. In some cases, such as if you believe your vehicle has bad gas in it, you may want to run a fuel additive through your vehicles fuel system prior to the smog test.

Check Engine Light

The check engine light should not be on. The check engine light indicates there is a problem with the vehicle and may cause your car to automatically fail the smog test in some locations. Therefore, you should make all necessary repairs prior to having a smog test done. If you suspect your vehicle is going to fail a smog test, you should take it to a certified mechanic and have it thoroughly checked out prior to your smog test.

Run the Car

Smog experts recommend making sure your car is thoroughly warmed up prior to arriving for your smog test. This means driving the car for 15 to 30 minutes before you take the car in to be tested. A warmed up engine will perform better. Another common suggestion is to make sure your tires are properly inflated before showing up for the test, as a low tire can effect the way your vehicle performs if the inspector has to drive the car.

Exhaust Systems and Aftermarket Components

If you live in an area with strict smog requirements, such as the state of California, it is probably a good idea not to alter your vehicles exhaust system. Aftermarket components such as catalytic converters and intake manifolds can cause your vehicle to fail a smog test or inspection. Keeping your vehicle properly functioning reduces your likelihood of failing a smog test.