smog check – Smog Coupons

What is Smog?

Smog is a kind of air pollution, originally named for the mixture of smoke and fog in the air. Smog check stations are designed to measure the amount of toxic gases emitted from vehicles' exhaust. Classic smog results from large amounts of coal burning in an area and is caused by a mixture of smoke and sulfur dioxide. In the 1950s a new type of smog, known as Photochemical Smog, was first described. Smog is a problem in a number of cities and continues to harm human health. Strict smog check regulations are installed to control this problem. Ground-level ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide carbon monoxide are especially harmful for senior citizens, children, and people with heart and lung conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma. It can inflame breathing passages, decreasing the lungs' working capacity, and causing shortness of breath, pain when inhaling deeply, wheezing, and coughing. It can cause eye and nose irritation and it dries out the protective m…

New Smog Check Inspections

Smog Check Program's Updated Test Technology Californians getting Smog Check inspections today may notice that the traditional tailpipe test used for many years has been replaced by a quicker, computer-based test for gasoline-powered cars model-year 2000 and newer, and for most diesel vehicles that are model-year 1998 and newer. This updated test uses the diagnostic capabilities of the vehicle's computer system instead of the traditional tailpipe probe to measure the vehicle's emissions. This On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system gathers information and determines if the vehicle's emission control systems are operating properly. A visual inspection of emission control components is still required as well. The OBD only method of testing vehicles is the result of 2010 legislation (AB 2289-Eng) which is designed to improve the Smog Check inspections Program and further reduce air pollution. The Smog Check program removes hundreds of tons of smog-forming pollutants from California's a…

Consumer Assistance Program for Failed Smog Test

The Consumer Assistance Program is basically California's way to help drivers repair a vehicle to pass the smog test or pay them cash to get their clunkers off the road. The goal of the smog check program is to help improve or protect improvements in the state's air quality. Smog Test Repair Assistance (Failed Smog test Required) If you fail your smog check, and meet income requirements, California will send you a $500 smog check repair voucher that you may use at any participating smog test and repair station. Smog check and repair stations can be found by visiting Smog Coupons. Vehicle Retirement (Smog test NOT Required) If for any reason you want to turn in your clunker, California will pay income eligible drivers up to $1500 for the vehicle. All other drivers will be paid $1000. Repair Assistance FAQs 1. What is the Repair Assistance Program? The Repair Assistance Program is administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) and is desi…

Smog Certification Information

The following smog certification information update is brought to you by SmogCoupons Currently, smog inspections are required for all vehicles except diesel powered vehicles 1997 year model and older or with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs, electric, natural gas powered vehicles over 14,000 lbs, motorcycles, trailers, or gasoline powered vehicles 1975 and older. Vehicles registered in areas subject to the biennial smog certification program are required to submit evidence of a smog certification every other renewal period. Owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification. The registration renewal notice mailed to you by the department will indicate if a smog certification is required. If a smog certification is required and you have not had a smog inspection, you may still pay your registration fees to avoid any late…

Smog check results in declined smog levels

Resulting from smog check: Southern California's air continues to get cleaner. That's according to the South Coast Air Quality District, which said we had 10 fewer high ozone days during 2015's peak smog season than the previous year. Ozone is the primary gas in smog and can damage lungs. In total, there were only 82 days when smog levels exceeded federal standards for clean air. That may sound bad, but it’s better than in 2014 when there were 92 such days. A high smog day is defined as any day in which the amount of ground level ozone reaches more than 75 parts per billion. Typically, the region sees the most smog between May and October, in part because there is more sunlight which helps the chemical reaction that creates ozone pollution. The Air Quality Management District said smog check and pollution cutting programs helped cut down the number of smog days. So did Mother Nature. Rain can clean the air and helps prevents smog from forming. Next year the number of high…

Regulations Update

The following regulatory actions are under development. For more information on regulation proposals or to learn about future opportunities for public participation, visit the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) website. Mobile Automotive Repair Dealer Advertising BAR is working with automotive repair industry stakeholders to address Internet advertising of unlicensed repair service on various websites. In addition to consumer complaints, BAR enforcement staff continuously monitor public advertising forums to track the growing number of unlicensed individuals and businesses reaching consumers. After identifying unlicensed activity, BAR coordinates with law enforcement agencies to conduct sting operations throughout the State. In 2014, the Bureau began posting on its website a list of citations issued to individuals and businesses found performing repairs without a valid automotive repair dealer (ARD) registration. Nearly 500 citations have been issued since regulations adopted …

New Smog Check OBD Reference Guide

Since the implementation of On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) inspection procedures, the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has identified specific vehicles with unique OBD test issues. Specialized testing exceptions must be followed when performing Smog Checks on these “vehicles of interest” to ensure the BAR OBD Inspection System (BAR-OIS) or BAR-97 Emission Inspection System function appropriately. Accordingly, BAR has adjusted the BAR-OIS and BAR-97 software to accommodate these testing issues and has updated the Smog Check OBD Reference Guide, formerly known as Appendix J. The Smog Check OBD Reference Guide provides information and instructions for the inspection of vehicles with known OBD testing difficulties. The guide allows inspectors to search testing information by vehicle make, year, and model to troubleshoot testing issues, including the following: No communication No OBD II Unset monitors False MIL illumination Remember, inspectors must enter the correct vehicle …

College Offers Automotive Degree (Smog Coupons news)

On May 18, 2015, Rio Hondo College received final approval from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to offer a bachelor’s degree program in automotive technology. The college, located in Whittier, was one of 15 California community colleges granted approval to offer a four-year degree as part of a Statewide pilot program authorized by Senate Bill 850 (Block, 2014) to increase college participation rates and improve workforce training opportunities to fill jobs in high demand technical disciplines that increasingly require bachelor degrees. Rio Hondo College is the only public institution in the State currently offering a four-year degree in automotive technology. The program is designed to provide the automotive industry with technically competent employees possessing strong interpersonal skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively, solve problems, work in teams, and pursue continued professional development. Courses are open to freshmen students be…

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

ARD Registration, Station Licensure, and License Renewals The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s (BAR) Licensing Unit is often asked about licensure and renewal, as well as other general business change requirements. Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions. ARD Registration and Station Licensure How do I apply for an automotive repair dealer registration? To apply for an automotive repair dealer (ARD) registration, submit a completed ARD application and the applicable fee. The application can be downloaded by visiting the BAR website at www.bar.ca.gov or by calling the BAR Licensing Unit at (916) 403-8477 or (855) 735-0462. Businesses wanting to apply for a Smog Check, lamp, and/or brake station license(s) must also apply for an ARD registration. How do I apply for a station license? To apply for initial licensure of a Smog Check, lamp, and/or brake station, an existing ARD or ARD applicant must submit the appropriate station application(s) and fee(s). Applications ca…

Significant contributions to healthier air

One of the contributions to healthier air worth noting is the reformulation of fuels resulting in cleaner blends of gasoline and diesel. Again, government regulatory action provided the initial impetus for change, and the scientists and oil companies responded with fuel blends that pollute less. “Clean” diesel and “top-tier” gasoline have made, and will continue to make, significant contributions to healthier air. The role of California consumers cannot be overlooked. By participating in the Smog Check Program and keeping their vehicles in proper maintenance, they have made an impact. California consumers have also embraced hybrid and electric vehicles at a higher rate than the rest of the country, signaling that Californians are serious about the environment and are willing to invest in cleaner alternatives. Last, but certainly not least, the automotive repair industry is on the front line in the war on smog. Each time a vehicle fails a mandated Smog Check, skilled technicians…

California’s Smog Check Team

The following update is brought to you by Smog Coupons: California’s air quality has improved dramatically since the first steps toward cleaner air were mandated in the mid-1960s. Today, many areas in the State are in attainment, and high pollution areas such as Los Angeles have seen the number of unhealthy air days drop nearly 40 percent, according to the American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2015 report. Recent studies, including a 20-year study sponsored by the University of Southern California, are indicating significant health benefits resulting from improved air conditions including improved breathing functions in children. While clean air will always be a challenge for California, our progress and success in this area is the result of many stakeholders working together as a team toward a common goal. Government’s role has been to identify the threat to public health, visualize attainable goals, implement solutions, and monitor compliance. All levels of government,…

Windshield Replacement Standards

Windshields are an important safety feature in motor vehicles. Windshields support the vehicle frame and are manufactured and installed according to certain standards to have sufficient strength and bonding to the vehicle to prevent ejection during a crash. To address the issue of improper windshield replacement and vehicle occupant ejection, BAR is proposing a regulation to require that the products and procedures involved in windshield installation and replacement meet accepted trade standards. The proposed regulation also requires disclosures to the customer of the minimum cure time or “drive-away” time, the date and time upon which installation was completed, and whether the windshield supplied is an original equipment manufacturer part or non-original equipment manufacturer part. Make sure your car is tested for smog.