If it's time to take your car in for a smog test, you may be worried about the outcome. Failing a smog test can leave your car sidelined. Luckily, your smog test doesn't need to be a stressful event. Here are four steps that will ensure a passing grade on your smog test.
Don't Procrastinate
If you usually wait until the last minute to take care of your vehicle registration, it's time to make some changes. This is especially important if your registration notice includes a smog test. You hope that your car passes inspection on the first try. If it does, you can get your car registered right away. But, if your car doesn't pass the smog test, you'll need to take care of the repairs, which can take a while. If that happens, you may end up paying more for your registration fees, especially if your tags expire while you wait. Avoid the extra time and costs. Take your car in for a smog test as soon as you get the notice.
Tend to the Maintenance
If you've received a smog test notification from the DMV, tend to the maintenance as soon as possible. Your car has a better chance of passing the test if it's had proper maintenance. Your maintenance appointments should include an oil change, tune-up, and inspection. It's also important that you check your tires as well. To improve your chance for a passing score on your smog test, be sure that your tires are properly inflated.
Take Care of the Check Engine Light
If it's time for your smog test and your check engine light is on, extinguish that before you take your car in for the appointment. Your technician will look at the dashboard before they start the smog test. If the light is on, you'll get a failing grade right out of the gate. To avoid that, take care of the issue right away. The first thing you should do is replace your gas cap. A faulty gas cap is one reason your check engine light will come on. If your light stays on, take your car to the shop. You'll need to have repairs done before your smog test.
Don't Let the First Test be the Last
If your car needs a smog test, don't let the first test be the last. If you don't think your car will pass the test, schedule a practice run. A practice test will identify all the things that are wrong with your car. That way, you can take care of the repairs before you submit your car to the official test.
Visit a site like https://www.westcoastsmogtest.com/ to learn more.
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