Smog is air pollution that reduces visibility. The term "smog" was first used in the early 1900s to describe a mix of smoke and fog. The smoke usually came from burning coal. Smog was common in industrial areas, and remains a familiar sight in cities today.
Everyone must do their part to keep the California skies blue, and part of that is completing your smog checks. If you're looking for smog check in Sacramento, you'll find some suggestions on this page.
Today, most of the smog we see is photochemical smog. Photochemical smog is produced when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) in the atmosphere. Nitrogen oxides come from car exhaust, coal power plants, and factory emissions. VOCs are released from gasoline, paints, and many cleaning solvents. When sunlight hits these chemicals, they form airborne particles and ground-level ozone-or smog.
Ozone can be helpful or harmful. The ozone layer high up in the atmosphere protects us from the sun's dangerous ultraviolet radiation. But when ozone is close to the ground, it is bad for human health. Ozone can damage lung tissue, and it is especially dangerous to people with respiratory illnesses like asthma. Ozone can also cause itchy, burning eyes.
During a smog check, a licensed technician will attach measuring equipment to your vehicle. The smog check test consists of Emissions Inspection, Visual Inspection and Functional Inspection--all of which ensure your emissions equipment is in place, functioning, and doing its job of weeding out pollutants from your car's exhaust.
Emissions measured include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC) and oxygen (O2). In some of the nation's most polluted urban areas, the emissions test also measures levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
During the smog check, the measurements taken are recorded and immediately available to your state's agency responsible for monitoring smog and vehicle emissions. In Georgia, data goes to the Georgia Clean Air Force (GCAF). In California, it is transmitted to the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). For more information on emission testing programs in other states, click here.
Cities, states and counties that require smog and emissions tests for DMV car registration determine which testing method or combination of methods to use. Current testing methods include:
If your vehicle fails the smog check, you can choose to have it repaired at a licensed test and repair station and then have it retested to pass the smog check. Vehicles that have not passed inspection are not allowed on public roads and owners will be ticketed if they are caught operating those vehicles.
Emissions problems are generally inexpensive and quick to repair. If you believe your vehicle won't pass a smog check, it may be best to go to a facility that can perform the check and make any necessary repairs and then re-test so the vehicle passes smog inspection.
Everyone must do their part to keep the California skies blue, and part of that is completing your smog checks. If you're looking for smog check in Sacramento, you'll find some suggestions on this page.
Today, most of the smog we see is photochemical smog. Photochemical smog is produced when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) in the atmosphere. Nitrogen oxides come from car exhaust, coal power plants, and factory emissions. VOCs are released from gasoline, paints, and many cleaning solvents. When sunlight hits these chemicals, they form airborne particles and ground-level ozone-or smog.
Ozone can be helpful or harmful. The ozone layer high up in the atmosphere protects us from the sun's dangerous ultraviolet radiation. But when ozone is close to the ground, it is bad for human health. Ozone can damage lung tissue, and it is especially dangerous to people with respiratory illnesses like asthma. Ozone can also cause itchy, burning eyes.
During a smog check, a licensed technician will attach measuring equipment to your vehicle. The smog check test consists of Emissions Inspection, Visual Inspection and Functional Inspection--all of which ensure your emissions equipment is in place, functioning, and doing its job of weeding out pollutants from your car's exhaust.
Emissions measured include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC) and oxygen (O2). In some of the nation's most polluted urban areas, the emissions test also measures levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
During the smog check, the measurements taken are recorded and immediately available to your state's agency responsible for monitoring smog and vehicle emissions. In Georgia, data goes to the Georgia Clean Air Force (GCAF). In California, it is transmitted to the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). For more information on emission testing programs in other states, click here.
Cities, states and counties that require smog and emissions tests for DMV car registration determine which testing method or combination of methods to use. Current testing methods include:
- Two-speed idle (TSI) - this test analyzes exhaust emissions from the tailpipe as the engine idles first at high, and then at low speed, and is usually for older cars registered before 1995.
- Acceleration simulation mode (ASM) - Again, most often reserved for older vehicles, the ASM test measures emissions under simulated driving conditions using a dynamometer.
- On-board diagnostics (OBDI) - During this test, information is downloaded from the vehicle's on-board diagnostics computer.
If your vehicle fails the smog check, you can choose to have it repaired at a licensed test and repair station and then have it retested to pass the smog check. Vehicles that have not passed inspection are not allowed on public roads and owners will be ticketed if they are caught operating those vehicles.
Emissions problems are generally inexpensive and quick to repair. If you believe your vehicle won't pass a smog check, it may be best to go to a facility that can perform the check and make any necessary repairs and then re-test so the vehicle passes smog inspection.