Choosing Better Environmental Products

4 Tips For Passing Your Smog Test

17 February 2018 by Cassandra Welch

Depending on the state you are in, your vehicle generally needs to pass a smog test every one or two years. If it doesn't pass, this means that your car cannot be registered until you have it repaired or replace it. Obviously, this can be a pain, so it's important that you take the steps to help your car pass the smog test before you bring it in. Here are four tips to help you do this:

1. ​Get it Repaired: If your vehicle has some obvious signs that it's not running right, such as loud noises when driving or braking, you need to take it in to the professionals to get inspected and repaired where it's needed. If your car is not in good running order, chances are it will not pass the smog test. Keep in mind that the smog test costs money and if it doesn't pass, you will need to pay for the test to be done again after repairs in order to get the all clear to register your vehicle. For this reason, it's definitely not worth it to bring your car in if you know it has problems. 
2. Go for a Drive: Before bringing your car in for a smog test, be sure that it has been up and running for at least 10 minutes. This is going to ensure that your car is warmed up and working at it's most optimal level, which can definitely help it pass the smog test. 
3. Inflate the Tires: It's worth it to have an air pump at home to inflate your vehicle's tires whenever it is needed. Poor tire pressure can cause serious problems for your vehicle, which includes affecting the vehicle's ability to pass smog. The reason is that emission levels are lowered when the vehicle is driving with the right amount of stability and distributed weight. 
4. Change the Oil: This only applies if your car is close to being due for an oil change. If it is, getting that taken care of before the smog test can help you pass. If the oil is contaminated at this point, it can fail the smog test because it is not allowing the engine to breath and therefore, possibly not function correctly. 

These are just four tips to help you pass a smog test. The best rule of thumb would simply be to bring your vehicle into a mechanic for an inspection before taking it in for a smog test to be sure that everything is in working order. A mechanic will have a better idea as to whether or not your vehicle is smog test ready. Visit a site, like http://www.westcoastsmogtest.com, for more help.

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