Car owners often wonder if there is something they can do to improve their chances of receiving a favorable result when it is time for their car’s smog check. Of course, the simple answer is to keep your car in good running condition. A car that is well-maintained and operating at optimal levels will likely present no trouble to its owner at a smog inspection.

But what if your car is not running 100 percent? It can be pretty expensive to repair problems with your vehicle when you fail a smog inspection. The good news is there are several steps available to you to improve your prospects of a successful smog test.

Clear the Check Engine Light

When a check engine light is activated, it means the smog check is automatically failed. The next step is to diagnose and fix the problem causing your check engine light to turn on.

Faulty oxygen sensors are often the cause of check engine lights. Even when the sensors are not totally inoperable, they can fail to properly regulate the mixture of air and gas, resulting in a smog check failure. The fix for this problem can be under $200. However, if your oxygen sensors are faulty for too long, your car’s catalytic converter will become damaged, which may cost $1,000 or more to fix.

Drive Highway Speeds Two Weeks Before the Test

In 1974, it became federal law for all cars in America to possess a catalytic converter. This converter takes harmful pollutants produced by cars and trucks and converts them to less harmful substances before they are released through the vehicle’s exhaust system.

Driving your car at high speeds heats the catalytic converter enough to torch any oil and gas residue in its system. A daily high-speed run for about two weeks should do the trick.

Check The Tires

In many states, a dynamometer test is used for smog tests. This test involves positioning the car’s tires on rollers and revving the engine up to a high speed while the car remains stationary. Tires that do not possess enough air will cause the engine to overwork itself to reach the necessary evolution speeds.

Tune-Up

Any maintenance your car needs should be performed a good bit before the day of your smog checks. Mechanics often disconnect the battery of your car when they perform a tune-up, resetting the onboard computer. You will then need about two weeks of driving before your test to prepare your car for all the diagnostic checks that make up a smog test.

Change Oil if Needed

Pollutants can be released from your car when dirty oil is in the crankcase. This could cause a negative result for your smog check. You can also ask your mechanic to check for disconnected, broken, or cracked hoses while changing your oil.

Check Gas and Coolant levels.

Your car’s engine will be forced to run at a high speed while undergoing a smog test. For this reason, ensuring sufficient coolant in your car is essential. The time your vehicle spends on a dynamometer will possibly place your vehicle at an angle. If the gas level in your car is low, your fuel pump could be exposed, and vapors may end up in your fuel line. This will also cause you to fail a smog test.

Invest in a Pre-inspection

Many states offer pre-inspection smog checks to car owners at a lower cost than the official price. This test will inform you whether your car passes the smog test or not, but the results will not be recorded. A pre-inspection is a good idea for anyone who feels their car is on the borderline of passing the smog test.

Rainy Days

Experts disagree on whether rainy days are better or worse for smog testing. One argument is that wet tires are more likely to slip once placed on the dynamometer, possibly resulting in a smog check failure. The other side of the argument states that the extra humidity present on rainy days will decrease your car’s emissions and improve the chances of a positive smog test result.

Additions to Fuel

Older cars are at risk for fuel clogs, which can change the way an engine runs. A good fuel additive will prevent this clogging and increase your car’s chances of passing an upcoming smog test. Some states have taken a proactive approach to this issue and already provide necessary fuel additives. It would be best to investigate your needs related to your state of residence.

The Bottom Line

Many car owners view smog tests as nothing more than a bureaucratic hassle. However, the owner who takes the time to understand the test and how it works will do much better than the owner who walks into the process completely unprepared. The nine tips above are available to car owners who want to improve their chances of passing a smog test.

At Kadotani Auto Repair, you can always rely on us for honest and fair quotes, superb pricing, and skilled automotive labor that won’t break up your piggy bank. If you have a maintenance or repair issue with your Toyota, please call us today to schedule a highly skilled inspection and maintenance or repair.

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