1) Change your oil and filter - Unburned gasoline (hydrocarbons) can accumulate in crankcase oil. The excess gasoline vapors can cause an engine to exceed emissions standards.

2) Replace your dirty air filter - If your air filter is dirty and restricting the flow of air, it needs to be replaced or your vehicle may fail the test for excessive Carbon monoxide.

3) Check your tire pressure - The added friction from soft tires places an additional load on the engine and may cause the vehicle to exceed emissions standards.

4) Change your gas cap - Most gas caps start leaking after two years, with each cap contributing up to 30 lbs. of excess hydrocarbons a year.

5) Check your muffler and exhaust system - If your muffler or exhaust system leaks, outside air will enter the system and dilute emissions levels. While this sounds like a great way to pass the test, the emissions testing equipment checks for Carbon Dioxide to see if the exhaust sample is being diluted. If you can see smoke leaking from your muffler or exhaust system, the vehicle will probably fail.

6) Check your exhaust pipe for black or white smoke - A smoking vehicle is a sure sign that your vehicle is waisting gas or oil. The engine may be running to rich or there may be excessive engine wear to the engine. In either cause, the vehicle could be failed outright.

7) Check your cooling system - If the engine is running hot and overheating, the emissions levels will be elevated. One of the chemicle reactions that produces air pollutants is based on engine temperature. If the engine is overheated, there may be an exponential increase in this contaminant -- Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx).

8) Look for fuel leaks - They are a source of hydrocarbon vapors, and a fire hazard. A fuel leak may cause your vehicle to be rejected prior to testing, or result in an immediate test failure.

9) Check your engine light - If your check engine light is on while the engine is running, take your vehicle to a srvice facility and have it repaired prior to having the vehicle inspected.

10) Clean your fuel system - Contaminant deposits in your engine's fuel distrribution, and particularly in the injectors, is one of the primary service problems in today's high performance engines. These power-robbing deposits are formed during the combustion process and result in lower power; hesitation, rough idle, hard starting, and excessive emissions. There are many fuel system cleaning produects and services available.

 

Quality preventive vehicle maintenance and service from certified service technicians is the key to passing an emissions test.

If your vehicle is poorly maintained, you are wasting gasoline, increasing your cost of vehicle ownership, and producing excessive emissions.