Smog Check Tips: How to Pass a Smog Test

Smog checks ensure that your car is running in the right condition and help keep the air clean.  There are millions of cars being driven every day in California and smog checks help reduce the amount of pollution in the environment.  It is important for your vehicle to pass a smog test and get certified.  Below are some Smog Check Tips that will help you pass a smog test at Simply Smog.

Smog Test

Warm Up Your Car
Before you bring your car in for a smog check, take it for a 15 to 20 minute drive for a warm up.  This will ensure that your car is running at optimal condition and has proper combustion.

Use Fuel Additives
When combined with regular fuel, a fuel additive will help lower emission levels.  You can think of the additive as a cleaner that eliminates carbon deposits in both the engine and the exhaust system.  Fuel and air will flow much more freely through the passages.  With lower emission levels, the engine will perform better.

Check the Tire Pressure
By checking tire pressure on all your tires, you will ensure that they are at the right level when you bring your car in for a smog check.  The tires must also be the right size. The inspector may require driving your vehicle on a dynamometer during the test.  All tires must have even pressure at the right levels.  Your vehicle will have better stability and emissions will be reduced.

Oil Change
Before you bring your car in for a smog test, make sure you have already done an oil change.  If you are close to your oil change due date, it is recommended to take it in and then perform a smog check.  This is because the engine breathes in fumes that are in oil pans and other compartments.  These fumes burn through the combustion and can contaminate the oil in the engine.  By changing the oil regularly, you will be able to pass the smog test.

Check Engine Light
Some more smog check tips is to check the Check Engine light or Malfunction Indicator Lamp should not be on when you bring your car in for a smog test.  This will cause an automatic smog test fail. However, our test, in most cases, will give you a code that will allow you to know what the basic problem is, and that can help you in determining what work is needed. If your car fails, you are entitled to FREE retest.