When it comes to smog checks or emissions testing, there’s nothing more frustrating than taking time out of your day to have it done. Most people don’t think about the bigger picture of why the government requires smog checks for specific vehicles. Today, we will discuss the goals and purpose of smog checks and why it is important for your car to pass.
If you’re a California resident, you know that our state takes emissions very seriously. Unfortunately, we are one of the most polluted states in the country. To keep emissions down to the best of our ability, our state government requires all hybrid vehicles and gasoline-powered vehicles that are 1976 or newer to undergo a smog check every 2 years. However, gas-powered vehicles eight years old or newer and electric vehicles are exempt.
All in all, the purpose of emissions testing is simple: to improve air quality, protect our environment, and to extend the life of your car. If emissions aren’t monitored, our atmosphere would be polluted to extreme levels.
During a smog check, your vehicle is hooked up to one of our state-of-the-art testing machines to read your emissions output. If there is an error with your emissions system that causes inefficiency, you will fail the test. For example, a check engine light will result in an immediate test failure. Therefore, we advise that you have your car inspected and repaired before you’re scheduled to take the test.
Failing isn’t that bad. Simply put, you’d have to get the necessary repairs sooner or later. If you fail a smog check, we can repair them right here in our facility. At Central Automotive Service Center, we provide smog checks and repairs. We can retest your vehicle and have you back on the road in no time.
At our Walnut Creek auto repair center, we are your one-stop shop when it comes to emissions. Let us help you with your next smog check!