What does the smog check program check for?​

• There are 3 inspection procedures and each vehicle is subjected to a particular one depending on its model year.

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   For 2000 and newer vehicles:

1. Visual Inspection (No components missing, tampered/modified, and defective).

2. Visible Smoke (Engine side and Tailpipe side)

3. Liquid Fuel Leak

4. On Board Diagnostics/Vehicle Computer System (Drive cycle readiness, Check Engine Light, Check Engine Light function, and Engine Codes (DTCs)).

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"PRO TIP"​

*I recommend customers to be mindful over these few simple DIY checks prior to your smog which will significantly increase your chances of passing your smog inspection.

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1. Is my check engine light on?

2. Have I had any battery work and/or has my car been to a shop recently?

3. Is my car smoking and/or does it produce heavy odors after it has been warmed up?

4. Is my fuel cap old?

5. Are there any brittle, cracked, broken, unplugged, or missing hoses, tubes, connectors, sensors that I can see in the engine bay?

*If you have any suspicions, please reach out or stop by and I will be here to help you.

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What is the purpose of the smog check program?

• In short, the smog check program's objective is for publicly operated vehicles to comply with California's air quality standards.

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How long does a smog inspection usually take?

• I specialize in 2000 and newer vehicles and the inspection time is as quick as 10-15 minutes on average. No appointments necessar.y

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How often do I have to get a smog?

• Smog certifications are required every other year once a gas powered vehicle turns 8 years old.

• Smog certifications are required for vehicles undergoing title transfers (buying/selling) for vehicles 4 years or older.

• Vehicles out of state are required to get a smog inspection regardless of its age to complete an out of state registration.

• Diesel powered vehicles are the exception to this guideline, they may require a smog inspection before it turns 8 years old.

 

*Please be mindful of your renewal notices, the notice will let you know if your vehicle requires a smog certification before completing your registration.

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What is a STAR smog?

• Interestingly enough, the STAR requirement is practically irrelevant to the customer, other than the instruction to go to the corresponding station. It is not a more stringent, it is not more expensive, it is the same exact test as the non-STAR inspection. In our San Diego area, a majority of registered vehicles are actually required to be certified at a STAR station, so you are not alone. The only difference is if that station is allowed to give you a certificate if your car were to be required to be tested at a STAR station. Specifically, it is beneficial to be STAR certified as a station because it would allow the station to service more vehicles.

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What is a drive cycle?

• A drive cycle, in my words, is the vehicle's self-test procedure/status for its emission-related components. Since your vehicle's last memory reset, has it completed a check on its own emissions system. Why this function exists is because the only warning that the smog check program tests for is the Check Engine Light, the intention of the drive cycle measures is to make sure the light is off and it STAYS off for an "extended" period of time per vehicle manufacturer.

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What causes the drive cycle to reset?

• The drive cycle does not reset from the vehicle being turned off, but rather when power is disrupted going to the computer of your vehicle ("memory no longer kept alive"), whether it is due to the disconnecting of the battery, jumpstarting the battery, or changing the battery; the other factor is if your On Board Diagnostics (vehicle computer) has been reset with a device which is commonly performed after the diagnosis and repair of a vehicle. ​

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Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Codes (PDTC)

• Unfortunately, 2010 and newer vehicles are subjected to an additional measure; not only does it have to satisfy all of the aforementioned criteria, the vehicle also has to complete 15 warm up cycles AND 200 miles since its last drive cycle/memory reset. These conditions are not to get rid of the PDTC, but it is the criteria required by the smog check program in order to allow a car with a stored PDTC to pass the OBDII portion of the inspection.

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What do I do if my car doesn't pass?

• I will always go over the inspection report with you and lay out all the different courses of action and what to expect. Whether it is recommended to visit a trusted mechanic, drive cycle procedure walk-through, registration extension, CA repair assistance options, CA vehicle retirement options, etc.

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Will you notify the DMV automatically and electronically?

• That is correct, as soon as the test is concluded, certificates are immediately transmitted to the DMV electronically. You will also be provided with a vehicle inspection report as proof of your smog. The BAR & DMV's processing schedule goes by the end of day.

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"I don't want the DMV to know that my car failed"

• Rest assured, your vehicle won't get flagged, fined, targeted, or any result of that nature. It is nothing more than an insignificant historical data. The DMV only cares about having a smog certificate assigned to your vehicle and the collection of registration payment to allow the issuance of a current registration.

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Resources

• On-Board Diagnostic Test Reference - Bureau of Automotive Repair

• Smog Check Manual

• Consumer Assistance Program

• Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Database

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