When you register or renew the registration for your vehicle in California, your auto must pass an emissions test. There are a few exemptions to the requirement, including gasoline-powered 1975 or older models, electric vehicles, natural gas-powered vehicles weighing more than 14,000 pounds, diesel-powered 1977 or older models having a gross vehicle weight of more than 14,000 pounds, and gasoline-powered vehicles less than four model years old. That means if your vehicle doesn’t fall in any of the above categories, it’ll need to pass an emissions test.

Fixing Problems Before Emissions Testing

Before you even consider taking your vehicle for a state emissions test, bring it to Road Runner Auto Care in Apple Valley, California. Why should you do this? If, for example, your vehicle is a late model, it’ll certainly fail the state emissions test if the check engine light illuminates. The problem could be as minor as a faulty spark plug, which could actually result in a test failure. Also, if you attempt to trick the inspectors by disconnecting the battery or using some other means to turn off the check engine light, the vehicle’s computer will alert the inspectors that tampering had occurred.

Passing the Smog Check

Once your vehicle has passed the drive cycle test, it’ll be ready for the emissions inspection, which measures the amount of CO, CO2, HC, O2, and NOx it emits. If your vehicle passes the emissions test, you’ll receive a smog certificate, which you can then provide to the California State DMV when you register or renew your vehicle’s registration.

Our smog checks and test only station at Road Runner Auto Care in Apple Valley is licensed by the State of California. We offer every smog check required by the State of California, including regular, test only, change of ownership, initial out-of-state vehicle, and gross polluter smog inspections.