Emissions Testing Checklist and Requirements for California

Up until more recent years, emissions and smog tests were performed on a majority of the vehicles on the road. Today, California is the only state to still actively do emissions tests on resident vehicles, and have very strict smog standards. A majority of California vehicles on the road are subject to bi-annual smog tests, but there are some exceptions depending on the vehicle. Hybrid cars, diesel engines, and vehicles built before 1975 are among the vehicles that are not required to submit for a smog test. In our blog this week, we want to give you an overview of what tests they run on your vehicle, and what exactly they are trying to look for through these tests.

• Gas Cap- Along with inspecting fuel lines, and other fuel delivery components, your gas cap will be checked to ensure the gasket is properly maintained and that the cap secures tightly.
• Ignition and vacuum system- Any fault in the ignition or vacuum tube system can result in poor engine performance, improper air/fuel mixture, or a check engine light. 
• Air/Fuel Ratio- This test involved using a test tube in your exhaust pipe while the var is running. It measures the air/fuel ratio which must be within a certain spec in order to pass emission standards.
• OBDII Reading- Prior to any inspection, the technician will run an OBDII code scanner to see if there are any check engine light faults. If a check engine light is present, the car will automatically fail the test.
•  Exhaust components- This includes things like checking the oxygen sensors, catalytic convertor, and resonator tube to ensure they are filtering out harmful toxins from your engine's exhaust. Typically they will let the car idle, and use a flashlight to detect any excess gas leaking from the exhaust.

Note that you are only required to submit to this emissions test if you decide to become a California resident in the future. Within 20 days of claiming your citizenship, the state requires you to transfer your registration as well as complete a smog test. For any further questions regarding specifics of the smog test, visit California's official website here.

Dashboard Icons and Their Meaning from Ohio's Dashlight Experts

Technology has certainly changed a lot of our everyday lives, and cars are no stranger to the adoption of technology. The more technology that is put into a vehicle, the more indicator lights are typically programmed on the car's dash. Thankfully, a majority of these icons are adopted throughout all cars, meaning that one icon has one meaning for all vehicles, regardless of make. This weeks blog shows you common dashboard lights, what they look like, and what it means when they illuminate on your dash. Keep in mind that these are the common problems, and may require extensive inspection, given the certain problem at hand. Comprehensive vehicle inspections can be scheduled with any local Bob Sumerel Tire location, for further details click the link!

• TPMS- Newer vehicles have a system that monitors the tire pressure for all wheels. When this light comes on, it typically means one or more of your tires is low and needs at least 5 psi added. If this light is flashing, it typically means there is a fault in your TPMS sensor.

 

• Coolant- This light typically takes a few different forms, but the most common light is depicted here. A coolant light typically comes on when the coolant level is low, or when the engine is overheating slightly. 

• Check Engine- Otherwise known as "Service Engine Soon," this light comes on for any number of reasons. Whether it is a transmission fault, or a cylinder misfiring, get to your local Bob Sumerel Tire location to get your engine light scanned!

 

• Brake/ABS- These lights can take form for multiple things. It can mean that you are either low on brake fluid, or that your brake pads may need changing soon. When your have your parking brake engaged, this brake light typically illuminated. When there is a fault in the ABS system, the ABS light will typically pop on.

• Traction Control- In accordance with your ABS system, your traction control system is one that operated by sensors on your vehicle. When this light pops up, it typically means there is a short in your traction control system, and may not handle as optimally as it should.

• Oil- An oil light will illuminate when your engine is either low on oil, or is having some system fault within the oil system. This can sometimes indicate the need for an oil change.

• Battery- Whenever a battery is dead, or close to it, this light will pop on. It typically means the battery is depleted in power and needs charged or even replaced. 

• Airbag- Newer vehicles typically have various sensors that control the airbag deployment system. When this light comes on, it typically means there is some type of malfunction with one of these sensors. 

There are a couple of other lights on here that are not listed, including ones like: high beam light, low washer fluid, bulb failure, maintenance required, and more. For additional information on what these lights pertain to, check our CarCare's infographic on these lights! Typically, the standard procedure for resetting these lights is removing the negative terminal on the battery cable for some amount of time.

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Alignments: When to Get One, and Why they Benefit You

If there is one commonality on all roads across the USA, it is likely potholes and their uncanny ability to throw off your vehicle's alignment. Although potholes are not the only reason for your car going out of alignment, it is one of the most common reasons for it to happen. There are a few symptoms your car will give off that might lead you to believe that your alignment is off. One symptom is when your steering wheel does not stay straight entirely, and you have to adjust it one way to make the car steer straight. Another common sign is when your car "pulls" in one direction when holding the wheel still, or if it shimmys after going over a bump. A more long term symptom is a noticeable uneven wear pattern in your tires, suchas "cupping" on the edges. Typically, alignments should be done ANY time a new set of tires is put on, but should be checked about once a year. Consult with your local Bob Sumerel Tire location for further details on the benefits of a 4 wheel alignment.  Below are a few reasons why regular alignments can benefit your car!

• Hit a rough pothole? No problem! If you feel some of these symptoms after hitting a big pothole, you can always have your alignment checked to see if it is actually out! 
• Save on tire costs- A properly aligned vehicle will evoke an even wear in the tread of your tires. This can maximize the life of your rubber, and save you money in the long run! 
  
• Save at the pump- With a properly aligned vehicle, your car doesn't have to work as hard to get you rolling down the road. This low rolling resistance means less fuel wasted in having to work harder to turn your wheels!
• Easier and safer to drive- When your car is properly aligned, the steering is extremely precise. It takes the "guessing" out of steering and reduces the chance of oversteer or understeer when driving at highway speeds. 

Pictured to the right, you can find what a typical Hunter Alignment sheet looks like. Your local Bob Sumerel Tire technician will print these out, and run you through the various parts of the alignment. Note that all vehicles are different, and can require a much longer service time depending on the chassis of the vehicle. Typically, the bigger the vehicle, the longer it will take for an alignment to be performed. At Bob Sumerel, we use Hunter laser alignment systems, which is among the premium name when it comes to thrust angle alignments! So the next time those dreaded potholes take a toll on your vehicle's suspension...head into your local Bob Sumerel and they'll get you steering straight!

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