If you’ve lived in Fairfield for any amount of time, you are aware of the California vehicle emissions laws. Every two years cars older than six model years and transfer titles older than for model years must be smog checked before having their registration renewed. Unless you have a valid smog check certificate on file with the DMV, you cannot reregister the car. Some people say that the system is biased against older cars. However, the goal is to remove excessively polluting vehicles from the roadways of California. If you have been maintaining your older car, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you pass.
- Two weeks before you bring your car inferred smog check, take it in for a tune-up. After the tune-up, drive for couple of weeks at highway speeds whenever possible in order to help the engine burn clean.
- Use a gas additive to help clean clogged fuel injectors in older automobiles.
- If you have a check engine light, do not delay any further. Get your car to a mechanic and have them run a diagnostic to pinpoint the problem.
- Ask a mechanic to run a diagnostic on your oxygen sensor in order to make sure that your fuel/oxygen mix is on point.
- Make sure that your tires are inflated to manufacturer specifications.
Have No Fear
Bringing your car in for a smog check is in the hassle when you have a local shop that is open seven days a week, and has extended hours to boot. There are over 30 million vehicles registered in California on the roadways, and millions more passing through every day from other states. Do your part to keep our air healthy and breathable, with some of the lowest levels of particulate matter in a century. Keep California beautiful, and keep your car running clean.
