California Smog Check Program Laws & Regulations

 California's Smog Check Program Laws & Regulations

 

How to Pass the Smog Check. It's a Easy 3-Part Test!

How to PASS the Smog Check. It's a Easy 3-Part Test!

400+ Smog Check Coupons. Station Photos & Details

400+ SMOG CHECK COUPONS. Station Photos & Details

Under Your Hood - The Visual Smog Inspection

Under Your Hood   The NEW Visual Smog Inspection

Automotive Coupons & Classifieds

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Under Your Hood - The Visual Smog Inspection

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Does My Car Need a Smog Check?

Does My Car Need a Smog Check? What about Hybrids?

VIR Reports - FREE Online Smog Check Diagnosis Tool

 VIR Reports - FREE Online Smog Check Diagnosis Tool 

Get $500.00 Smog Repair Assistance Program (CAP)

 Get $500.00! Smog Repair Assistance Program - CAP

FAQ's - California Emissions Questions & Answers

 FAQ's - California Emissions Questions & Answers

OBDII Check Engine Light Trouble Codes

 Generic OBDII Trouble Codes

Email a Tech - Do you have a Smog Check Question? Get a Response in 24 hours.

  EMAIL A TECH - Do you have a Smog Check Question?

Smog Test Only - What is a Test Only Smog Station?

SMOG TEST ONLY What is a Smog Test Only Center?

Remote Smog Check Sensing

NEW! Remote Smog Test Sensing Device

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WHY DOES CALIFORNIA NEED A SMOG CHECK PROGRAM?

In 1970 Congress passed the Federal Clean Air Act, which set quality standards for the nation. The act required areas that did not meet air quality standards to implement emissions control strategies or they would lose their building and highway funds. California did not meet the Federal Air quality standards. Hence, in 1982 it decided to implement an emissions inspection program, currently referred to as the "Smog Check" program.

The California Smog Check program and California's emission laws are designed to identify vehicles, which are polluters through the use of a state of the art exhaust gas analyzer. The exhaust analyzer is much like a photo camera except it takes pictures of your vehicle's exhaust (rather then your vehicle) and translates that into information which a Smog technician can read/understand and evaluate. Based on this information the technician can diagnose your vehicle's engine condition.

The Smog Inspection is not to be feared. It's simply an inspection designed to make sure your car is in good running order. It's also an excellent opportunity for you to evaluate your vehicle's engine performance and make sure your car is running at optimum levels.

Price of the Smog Check: The average smog inspection price will vary shop to shop. It will normally range anywhere between $29.95 to $59.95 depending on the county you live in and the type of smog inspection your vehicle requires. This price may or may not include the State's Certificate Fee of $8.25. In some parts of California, where smog inspections are not so common, shop owners may choose to charge a little more for the smog inspection in order to make up for the high cost of maintenance.

There is no State of California regulation for the actual cost of the smog check due to the fact that smog stations are privately owned businesses. However there are laws which require smog stations, smog test only centers and smog repair centers to display their smog inspection prices in areas accessible to and easily viewed by the public.

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