Smog Check Antelope

How frequently does my vehicle need to get tested?

Smog Check Antelopes are required biennially (every other year) on vehicles more than six model-years old. Additionally, a Smog Test is required if you market a car that’s more than four model-years old and when enrolling an off-road car for the first time in California.

How can I assist my vehicle pass a Smog Check Antelope?

Performing regular and proper maintenance depending on your owner’s guide rather than tampering with the emissions-control gear will help improve your car or truck ‘s chances of passing a Smog Check Antelope. When the “Check Engine” light comes on, take your car to a certified repair station when you can to have the issue diagnosed-do not wait for the vehicle’s next scheduled Smog Test. A blinking or flashing light indicates a malfunction which should be addressed promptly to avoid serious harm to the motor or emission-control systems. Check your owner’s guide for repairs which may be covered under your car or truck manufacturer’s emissions guarantee.

What are the elements of a Smog Check Antelope?

Smog Check Antelopes are designed to measure the amount and type of pollutants your motor vehicle is emitting. A Smog Test can include any of the following tests:

• Visual inspection of emission control systems and components
• Tailpipe emissions review

What vehicles need a Smog Check Antelope?

Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrids, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are model year 1976 and newer need a Smog Check Antelope, together with the following exceptions:

• Six model-years and newer do not need a biennial (every other year) inspection.
• Four model-years and newer do not need a change-of-ownership inspection.

For example, a 2010 model-year vehicle will first be subject to a biennial Smog Test in 2016 (2010 6 = 2016) plus a change-of-ownership Smog Test at 2014 (2010 4 = 2014).

Diesel-powered vehicles 1998 and newer with a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds and less need a Smog Test.

Motorcycles and electric-powered vehicles are exempt from the Smog Check Antelope Program.

Is your Smog Check Antelope Program biased against older automobiles?

No. While California law requires the Smog Test Program to concentrate on high-polluting vehicles, the Smog Check Antelope Program also does not demand older vehicles to satisfy the very same emissions standards as newer vehicles. Smog Test emissions criteria take under consideration the age, make and model of each car, so that a car is not held to some standard which applied when the vehicle was originally manufactured.

I have a car that’s six model-years old. My DMV registration renewal notice states it must have a Smog Check Antelope, but I thought it was exempt from the biennial Smog Test condition.

A gas-powered vehicle is excused from Smog Check Antelope until it is seven model-years old. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) computers are designed to recognize the exemption and process your renewal consequently. Contact DMV in case you think there is an error. If you cannot resolve the issue with DMV, a country Referee facility could be able to provide help. Telephone the Referee Call Center at -LRB-800-RRB- 622-7733 to schedule an appointment.

What is the Enhanced Area?

An improved Area is an urban region characterized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as not being in conjunction with federal health standards for ozone. Vehicles enrolled in an improved Area are subject to some treadmill emissions test on a dynamometer and may require testing at a STAR-certified station.

Have California vehicle emissions standards changed?

Yes. BAR periodically adjusts some criteria to raise their fairness. Because of this, some criteria become marginally more stringent than they were previously and some slightly more lenient. California’s emissions criteria consider the model-year, vehicle make and model, and gross weight of the motor vehicle. Older cars have less stringent criteria than newer ones. No elderly vehicle is ever held to the very same criteria as a newer, more technologically advanced car or truck. Allowances are made for normal wear and tear at a vehicle’s emissions control system as it ages. The last adjustment occurred in 2010.