If your car has an engine light on, you may be wondering if it will pass the smog check. The answer is that it depends on the severity of the issue. If the problem is minor, like a loose gas cap, the car will likely pass with just a warning. However, if there is a more serious issue, like an engine damaged by exhaust fumes, the car will fail the smog check.
What is the Smog Check Program?
The Smog Check Program is a California Air Resources Board (CARB) program that allows drivers to get their vehicles smogged while they are still parked and waiting for their emissions test. The program is designed to help drivers avoid having to take their vehicles to a CARB smog inspection center.
To participate in the Smog Check Program, you must have your vehicle’s certification label from the previous year handy. When you arrive at the smog check station, show the station attendant your certification label and tell him or her which program you are using. The attendant will then direct you to a parking space and let you know when your vehicle is ready for inspection.
When your vehicle is inspected, the station attendant will issue a “Ready for Inspection” sticker to put on your windshield. If everything looks okay, you can drive away with no further ado. If not, the attendant will tell you where to take your car for an inspection and how much it will cost.
If you choose to have your car smogged while it’s still at the parking lot, be sure to bring along: A valid driver’s license
A current registration card
How Does the Smog Check Program Work?
The Smog Check program in California is designed to help make sure that your car passes the Smog check test. The program works by using a computer system to analyze information about the car. This system can determine if the car has any problems that would prevent it from passing the Smog Check test. If the computer system determines that the car has a problem, the car will be sent for a repair.
What to do if Your Vehicle Passes the Smog Check Test but has an Engine Light On
If your vehicle passes the smog check test but has an engine light on, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue.
First, make sure that the light is associated with a specific issue, like a bad catalytic converter or dirty air filter. If the issue is not related to the smog system, then you may need to have the engine replaced.
If you just need to clear the code and don’t want to spend money on repairs, you can try following these steps:
– Remove the spark plugs and clean them with a spark plug cleaning fluid and a rag. Replace them and reattach the wires.
– Turn on the engine and wait until it reaches operating temperature. Check for codes while it’s running by pressing the “D” button on your instrument panel. If no codes are displayed, turn off the engine and wait 10 minutes. Reattach the wires and repeat steps 1-4.
– If codes are displayed, continue with step 5 below.
– If codes continue to be displayed after 10 minutes of turning off and on again, have the engine replaced.
What to do if Your Vehicle Does Not Pass the Smog Check Test
If your car fails the smog check test, there are a few things you can do to get it passing. First, make sure that the vehicle has had the proper repairs made to its engine. If the engine was replaced recently, make sure that the replacement engine is smog-certified. Second, make sure that all of the air filters on the car are clean and in good working order. Finally, make sure that any exhaust modifications or upgrades have been properly certified and approved by your state’s smog authority.