Polllution and Smog Checks

With air pollution so high, there is a lot of incentive to lower harmful emissions. We are looking at vehicle emissions and what the government is doing to help keep our air safe and clean. Since vehicle emissions are one of the top three contributors to climate change, this is a very beneficial part of governmental responsibilities. The government is doing a good job on smog checks, or I/M as they say in the other 49 states.

I/M means inspection and maintenance. In California I/M or "Smog Checks" are essentially keeping our air clean and breathable. Every two years, which is every other time one renews their vehicle registration, you must obtain a "smog certificate." This is a printout of the vehicle's emissions test results. One must register their car within 90 days of their emissions inspection. If their car fails the smog test they will be unable to register until they make repairs and it passes. In most counties in most of the bay area, smog testing is required for all vehicles except the following: diesel powered vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrids, motorcycles, trailers, natural gas powered vehicles weighing over 14,000 pounds and, qualifying vehicles made before 1976. Many things are measured in an I/M session, including these things:

 Manual Functional Check Results

 PCV System

 Fuel Evaporative Controls

 Exhaust Gas Recirculation

 Fuel Injection

 02 Sensor and Connectors

 Wiring of Other Sensors/Switches/Computer

 Vacuum Line to Sensors/Switches

 Fuel Fillpipe Lead Restriction

 Exhaust Gas Recirculation System

 Emission Control Maintenance Light Indicator

 Hydrocarbons PPM

 Carbon Monoxide %

 CO2

 02

 RPM

 IDLE