Tips by San Francisco Smog Experts
Six things you should consider doing before taking your car in for a smog inspection:
- Do not subject your vehicle to a Smog
Inspection if it does not run right. Chances are
that it will fail the inspection and you will lose
your inspection fee. Seek repair assistance first.
This will save you time and money.
- Drive your vehicle for at least 20 minutes
prior to arriving at the smog station. This will
ensure your vehicle is properly warmed up and is
running at it's optimum level. Remember your
engine is a fuel burning machine. To ensure proper
combustion it needs to have sufficient time to
warm-up and this can be accomplished through
driving for at least 10 to 15 miles.
- The use of fuel additives such as
Blue Sky 3 In 1 Fuel Conditioner can be
very helpful in lowering emission levels. Fuel
additives are generally poured into a vehicle's
gas tank during fuel refilling and mixed with
ordinary fuel. Their purpose is to clean carbon
deposits with in your engine's intake and exhaust
systems, allowing for both fuel and air to flow
freely within its passages, thus lowering emission
levels and improving overall engine performance.
These products offer helpful solutions to various
vehicle emission problems.
To find out more about Blue Sky 3 In 1 Fuel Conditioner please visit Blue Sky Clean Air, Inc. at www.blueskycleanair.com.
- During the smog inspection, the smog
technician may need to drive your vehicle on a
dynamometer as a part of the smog test process.
Making sure your vehicle's tire pressures are even
and correct will allow the vehicle to be driven
with greater stability and accuracy during the
exam. This will improve the overall emissions
output of your vehicle by allowing the engine to
maintain a constant and steady load.
- If it's close to your next oil change
interval, go ahead and do it before the smog test.
The PCV (positive crank ventilation) system of
your vehicle is designed to allow your engine to
breath fumes located in oil compartments (oil pan,
ect.). The fumes are then burned through the
combustion process. If the oil in your engine is
contaminated due to inadequate oil changes, it may
very well cause your vehicle to fail the
inspection. Contaminated oils are high in
Hydrocarbons and will present a rich mixture to
the engine chambers (too much fuel). So, avoiding
oil changes not only causes pre-mature engine wear
but can also cause your vehicle to fail the smog
inspection. Change the oil.
- Make sure the Check Engine light is not illuminated. A constantly illuminated Check Engine light is an automatic smog failure. A certified repair shop can diagnose the check engine light condition and offer you an evaluation and estimate. The home mechanic may also diagnose a Check Engine light malfunction via special Check Engine codes retrieval tools, available at most auto parts stores.
courtesy of smogtips.com
Clean Air Smog & Test Only Center
368 11th Street
San Francisco, CA. 94103
415-621-2983