Emission Testing: It’s Back!

August 30, 2020

Emission testing in the entire state of Illinois was canceled on March 21, 2020, due to the coronavirus. While there was talk about not restarting the program until 2021, that didn’t happen. 

Testing resumed in June 2020. To avoid crowds, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency asked that only residents whose registrations expired in March or before to get tested in June. 

The good news here is that the state is allowing a 90-day grace period on registration,  and depending on which month your registration expires, you have a different testing date. See the chart here.  

The state is following some strict safety guidelines to prevent transmission of the virus. You MUST wear a mask and follow the directions of the attendant. You can find open testing centers here. 

The bad news that your vehicle may not pass the test. 

An Idle Vehicle is Not a Good Thing

Cars are not designed to sit parked for extended periods of time. Due to the coronavirus and the subsequent quarantine, your vehicle may have spent more time parked than it was driven. 

This is especially true if your new work habits include working from home and you end up having everything delivered, including groceries, hot food, and office supplies. 

Chances are that while emission testing was suspended, you really didn’t worry too much about your car. Then you notice that your registration is due and with it, the bi-annual smog check requirement. 

Do you really need to worry about passing an emission test? 

Possibly. 

Reasons Why Your Car May Not Pass

As we mentioned earlier, car engines were not designed to stay idle for weeks or months on end. Rubber will rot, gaskets become hard, allowing leaks, batteries become low or short out, and injectors fill up with gunk. 

While some of these items, such as belts and hoses, won’t impact an emissions test, other items will. 

If you’ve still driven your vehicle at least once a week for 20 minutes or longer, chances are better that your car will pass a smog inspection, but what if you haven’t? 

Common reasons that cars don’t pass an emissions test include: 

    • Clogged or dirty injectors– This can lead to a rich or lean fuel mixture, which will cause your vehicle to fail.  
    • Dirty sensors– Dirty or malfunctioning sensors, such as O2 sensors or MAF sensors, will also cause your vehicle to fail the test.  
    • Dirty filters– A dirty air filter, especially, will cause your vehicle to have higher hydrocarbons than is allowed by law. An air filter should be changed every year or every 12,000 miles. 
    • The Check Engine light is on- If the Check Engine light is on, the worker won’t even hook up your vehicle. They reject your vehicle immediately once they see that light. Trying to trick the system by clearing the code (thereby erasing the light) just before you go in probably won’t work either since the part that is triggering this light will cause your vehicle to fail anyway. There are more than 1,500 reasons why a Check Engine light can turn on, so you need an expert to help you navigate your vehicle’s computer system. 
    • Faulty EVAP system- This can include everything from a cracked gas cap to an erratic MAP sensor or cracked vacuum hoses. 
    • Dirty engine oil– Believe it or not, dirty oil will cause your car to put out more hydrocarbons. 

 

Passing Your Emissions Test with Ease

You might think that your vehicle is running fine and the Check Engine light is on, so you don’t have anything to worry about. We hear that all the time from people who were surprised that their vehicle failed. 

Having your vehicle inspected first by our team of experts can not only keep your car running like a champ, but it will also prevent future break downs and allow you to pass an emissions test with ease. 

Our ASE certified mechanics know exactly what to look for when it comes to smog inspections. 

We will inspect the following: 

  • The entire exhaust system. Holes or pipes that have rusted will cause your vehicle to fail. We will inspect the entire exhaust system from the exhaust manifold to the tailpipe. 
  • Change the oil and filter
  • Inspect and change the air filter if required
  • If the Check Engine light is on, we will run the vehicle for codes and determine the problem. Often, it’s a faulty Oxygen sensor, which isn’t an expensive repair in most cases. 
  • If the Check Engine light isn’t on, we will still run the vehicle for codes to determine if other problems may have been present in the recent past. We will correct any problems and clear all codes. 
  • A vehicle tune-up if necessary
  • Inspect hoses and the belt for signs of wear
  • Check the status of the battery
  • Check tire inflation levels 
  • Inspect all fluid levels 

Nothing will give you peace of mind like knowing that not only is your vehicle in good working order but that you won’t be returning to the emissions testing site for a retest! 

Why Hong Kong Auto Service? 

We offer honest repairs at a fair price. Yes, you might find a cheaper price, but when it comes to automotive repair, you definitely get what you pay for. 

You can rely on our highly-skilled, ASE certified mechanics to do the job right the first time and charge a fair price. 

We understand that there are a lot of auto repair locations, so we strive to get things right the first time. We want you as a customer and we care about you and your car. 

If you aren’t sure whether your vehicle will pass an emissions test or if you just need an oil change, or if you have questions, feel free to call us or schedule an appointment. 

At Hong Kong Auto Service, we want you to be our customer for the life of this car and your next one! 

 

Posted in Emissions