Are Emissions Tests Worth It?

We love our cars, but we hate nasty air. We want to be able to drive without choking on our own fumes. The effort to help keep the air clean by limiting exhaust emissions began right here in California in 1966. Since then, more than half of all states have passed laws that require vehicles to undergo emissions testing as part of annual inspections to help them meet the air quality standards required by the federal Clean Air Act. While not all counties in every state following the same regulations, it’s likely that emissions protocol has been considered in your vehicle’s manufacturing and design. As your local inspection station, Spiteri’s Auto Service in Belmont can help you do your part to keep the air clean and to meet legal emissions requirements. If there’s a problem, our ASE certified technicians can diagnose and repair it.

What difference does it make?

A lot! For every $1.00 Americans spend limiting emissions, we save an estimated $9.00 in healthcare, costs of environmental damage, and lost productivity. In terms of health, as use of leaded gas has been greatly reduced (eliminated in on-road vehicles, but allowed in race cars, marine engines, airplanes, etc.), the average lead level found the blood of American citizens is significantly lower than it was just a few decades ago. Because emission restrictions have tightened, our nation’s vehicle exhaust pollution per car has decreased. This is critically important because as the population, the number of cars, and societal mobility have increased, so have total emissions. Transportation accounts for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions, and on-road vehicles account for one-third of smog-producing pollution. This is particularly noticeable in our state because California is the second-largest producer of carbon dioxide emissions (in metric tons) per year.

What can I do about it?

A visit to Spiteri’s Auto Service in Belmont, California, will enable you to do your part to keep our air clean by regulating your vehicle’s emissions. We will check your emissions as part of your annual state inspection. If we find a problem, we will inform you and properly diagnose the issue. Possible reasons for your vehicle failing emissions inspection include a malfunctioning oxygen sensor, poor air/fuel mixture, a missing or non-functioning catalytic converter, or a vacuum hose leak, among others. Should you detect trouble at other times of the year, our certified mechanics can make needed repairs for you. Signs of exhaust/emission issues include a lit check engine light and the smell of gasoline when you’re driving. We can also advise you on which vehicles are exempt from California’s testing policy. Currently, exemptions include gasoline-powered vehicles year models 1975 and older, diesels 1997 and older, and certain other vehicles such as motorcycles, those powered by natural gas, and electric cars.