Have you ever wondered if there is anything you can do to improve your odds before you take your car in for a state inspection check?
Something that can give your car a better chance of passing?
Well, there are a few things! Here are five things to consider:
Make sure the engine is warmed up. Don’t drop your car off cold, make sure it is warmed up. A drive for 10-15 minutes should ensure that all mechanical systems are operating at the temperatures they are designed to operate at. This will reduce the emissions output to a minimum.
Is the “Check Engine” illuminated? If your car displays the Check Engine Light (CEL), that generally means something is wrong. The most common reason for a CEL to be illuminated is a faulty oxygen sensor (approximately a $200 repair) and this will cause your car to fail an emission test. There are many other reasons that a CEL can be illuminated too and you should have your mechanic look at it before you bring it in for testing.
Drive the car at highway speeds for 30 mins or more prior to the test. This is more than just warming up the engine. Prolonged driving gets the catalytic convertor hot enough to burn off any residual oil and gas residues.
Change the oil but only if it needs it. Dirty oil in the crankcase can release additional hydrocarbons and other pollutants which could cause the car to fail the smog test. If you are near your ordinary oil change date, do it before you have your car tested for emissions.
Use a fuel additive. Older cars could have clogged fuel injectors causing them to run lean. Injector additives can clean the small openings and help the car pass the smog test. Put this in your car’s gas tank a month or so before you bring it in for inspection.
Source: EastHillsChevrolet
