top of page

SMART SMOG TIPS

DO's

MAINTENANCE IS KEY

Changing your oil and performing regular maintenance as per the owner’s manual is the key to getting your car to pass smog.
But MAKE SURE you drive your car some after your last oil change or repair before smogging it.
Some oil changers may include 10 to 20-point checks that may disconnect the battery for a while. This will temporarily erase the memory chip inside of your vehicle, needed to pass your smog check. An erased memory chip will need a few days of freeway and city driving for it to repopulate itself.

DO's

​

GO TEST-ONLY !

Use a Star certified TEST-ONLY Smog Check station (like us!).

Such stations are allowed to smog any cars but not licensed to perform repairs.

Truly independent we have no profit motive to fail your car and then offer to repair it ourselves.

As the saying goes, do not let the fox guard the chicken coop ...

​

DO's

WARM UP OLDER VEHICLES

​

Use your vehicle to run your chores first, and then come to us.
Vehicles 1999 and older still have to be tested with the tail pipe probe.
Warmer engines have a better chance at passing smog.

DO's

GO STAR !

Use a Star certified station (like us!).

Even if your vehicle registration renewal does not specifically require a Star test , the Star certification granted by the Bureau of Automotive Repair is a guarantee of expertise and accuracy. We are evaluated and challenged continuously.

Not any station gets Star certified...

DO's

​

GO FOR FREE RETEST

You may feel that your car will definitely pass, or is fairly new. But a California smog inspection covers more than what is coming out of your tailpipe. The computer on board of your vehicle, the hoses and wiring under the hood, are all part of a smog inspection as required by the State.
If any of these components fail, you will be required to repair them and go through another full smog inspection (State law prohibits partial retests).
Our FREE re-test gives you the peace of mind that you will not be double-charged.

DON"T

WATCH CRAZY CHEAP OFFERS

Cheapest smog coupons are often there to get you to head to the shop, your vehicle then rarely qualifies...
And not all smog techs are trained equally, not all stations are willing to go the extra mile for you.
We try to give you the best overall value : price, expertise, service, and speed.
Please read our reviews and testimonials on Yelp or Google.

bottom of page