Passing Emissions Testing With Your Car, Truck, Or SUV
Posted on: 23 June 2018
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The standards for emissions coming out of the tailpipe of your car, truck, or SUV are different depending on where you live. There are federal standards that are used as a baseline but in some states, the standards have been increased to battle smog and pollution that already exists. While the testing process is pretty similar, not every state or even every county within a state participates in emissions testing.
Understanding Emissions Testing
Emissions testing or smog testing as it is often called is the process of measuring the number of harmful gases coming from the tailpipe of your car or truck. The Fact is, burning gasoline produces harmful byproducts that can be damaging to the environment around us. As a result, automotive manufacturers have been working to reduce those gases and the government started putting requirements for emissions-reducing parts on cars starting in the early 1970's. The problem is worse in more densely populated areas where traffic is heavier and more cars are used. As a result, many states will test the emissions coming from the tailpipe of your car with a computer that reads the gases and determines the levels. A car that is running right and has the required parts in place with pass the test with very little problem but if your car doesn't pass, you may be required to fix it and retest it before you can drive it.
Emissions Equipment Requirements
Cars manufactured after 1975 in the United States are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are required to have a catalytic converter in place. The device is installed in the exhaust system and helps to convert toxic gases to less toxic emissions. While they are not the whole solution, they do help and must be on the car for it to pass the emissions test. Along with the catalytic converter, many sensors were added to cars to read the emissions and adjust the way the car is running to try and reduce the damaging gases coming out of the car. These sensors tell the car's computer what the engine is doing and the computer will change things like the ignition timing, or air to fuel ratio going into the engine to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. Early computers only changed timing and minor other things but today's cars have systems that are extremely sophisticated and control so many things in an effort to reduce emissions even more.
What If My Car Fails?
If you fail the emissions test in your state, you need to check with the operator of the station or the state Department of Motor Vehicles to see what the requirements are. Some states will give you a waiver for 30 or 60 days to get the car fixed but still allow you to drive it. Other states do not give any grace period and if you fail, the car must not be driven until it is properly repaired.
To learn more, visit http://www.westcoastsmogtest.com.