3 Mistakes That Could Potentially Prevent You from Passing a Smog Inspection

3 Mistakes That Could Potentially Prevent You from Passing a Smog Inspection

If you reside in a state that has a mandatory smog certification for all vehicles, you already know that this particular process can be a bit stressful, at times. That's why you must do anything you can to reduce the stress to its utmost minimum. There are a couple of common mistakes, made by the vehicle owners, that could potentially increase the chances of having a failed smog inspection. Learn what type of mistakes you should avoid increasing the likelihood of success.

Going Straight to the Smog Inspection

Let's say you have a nice shirt, hanging in your closet, but you hadn't worn it in the past 3-4 years. However, one day you decide to wear it for an event. Surely, you won't just put it on, but rather wash it or dry clean it, first, since it has been in your closet, for quite some time. The point being is that you would prepare it, first, rather than wear it, as it is.

You should do the same for a vehicle that hasn’t been driven for a long time. Remember, do NOT drive straight to the inspection station, ever. Instead, you should take the vehicle for a drive for a couple of days to get all the systems in proper operating condition, before driving the vehicle in for a smog inspection.

Under-inflated Tires

You are probably thinking what type of connection is between properly-inflated tires and a smog check. Well, a strong one, for sure. When you have under-inflated tires, this causes other vehicle systems to overcompensate, and the engine is no exception. In case you have an older vehicle, it’ll probably be placed on a dynamometer to simulate driving.

When the engine is overcompensating for the under-inflated tires, it runs hot and operates less efficiently. This would almost certainly result in a failed smog inspection. Have properly-inflated tires on your vehicle so that the engine can function the way it’s supposed to.

Neglecting Warning Lights

NEVER overlook the warning lights! In some cases, whenever there’s a sign of warning light, the examiner has the right to cancel the smog inspection, and consider it as failed. Resolving the issue beforehand makes the entire process a whole lot easier. Even small things, such as a faulty gas cap, are considered problems because it makes the check engine light illuminate.

You have to make sure that the gas cap fits properly before you bring your vehicle in for a smog inspection. This is valid for any warning light. Address the issues first, and prevent the warning lights from coming out.

Increase your chances of a successful smog inspection by taking some quality time to have your vehicle prepared for passing it. In the end, your efforts will be rewarded.