Apple Pay™ has arrived at JUST SMOGS®

Posted on September 22, 2015 by dewok

For your convenience, JUST SMOGS® is now offering Apple Pay™

As always we accept all major forms of payment (with no extra fees): Visa MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Debit, Checks, and of course Cash.

The Registration Station™

Posted on September 1, 2015 by dewok

The JUST SMOGS® Registration Station™ is ready to go! You can pay for your DMV registration fees online at dmv.ca.gov and the DMV will send your registration & tags in the mail.

New Readiness Monitor Standards for OBD System Functional Inspection

Posted on July 6, 2015 by dewok

A vehicle will FAIL a Smog Check if:

Gas Powered
1996 – 1999 : If 2 or more monitors are incomplete

Gas Powered & Hybrid
2000 – Newer: If any monitor other than the Evaporative system monitor is incomplete.

Diesel Powered
1998 – 2006: If any monitor is incomplete
2007 – Newer: If 3 or more are incomplete

Sometimes, readiness monitors will not set because of a broken emission control system component. The Owner’s Manual often contains drive cycle information to achieve monitor readiness. BAR has found that certain vehicles, including the vehicles listed below, may have difficulty completing all monitors during normal driving:

2000-2001 Nissan Maxima
2000-2001 Infiniti I30
2000 BMW 323i
2004 Ford E350 Super Duty (5.4L)

Please click here for BAR’s complete list of OBD Testability Issues, and BAR’s suggested solutions, or contact the BAR Referee at (800) 622-7733.

Smog Check: Toyota Prius Hybrid (STAR Certified)

Posted on April 22, 2015 by dewok

This 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid passed its change-of-ownership smog check inspection today at JUST SMOGS^® in Huntington Beach. Hybrid emission inspections are essentially the same as most 2000 and newer gasoline powered vehicles.

The inspections consists of a comprehensive visual inspection of the emission systems as well as an OBD computer scan.

HYBRID Smog Check – Statewide Implementation (Huntington Beach)

Posted on March 20, 2015 by dewok

HYBRID Smog Check Inspections Are Now Required in California

Why are hybrids being brought into the Smog Check Program?

Hybrids are designed to meet strict emission standards and to provide improved fuel economy over conventional vehicles. However, hybrid emission control systems experience the same causes of long-term deterioration affecting other vehicles. Emission control system malfunctions on hybrids can cause emissions to sharply increase. By ensuring that hybrid emission-related problems are identified and then properly repaired, emission levels will remain low over the life of the vehicle.
Since their introduction to the California market in 2000, hybrid vehicles could not be properly tested on the BAR-97 equipment that was introduced in 1997. This equipment could not test the emissions of hybrids as the vehicles would switch into electric mode during an inspection. The new Bureau of Automotive Repair On-Board Diagnostic Inspection System (BAR-OIS), which is based on a visual inspection of emission control components and a scan of the vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system, has resolved this testing issue.

Which types of hybrids will be required to receive a Smog Check?

All hybrid vehicles will be subject to a Smog Check. Just like traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles six model-years and newer are exempt from the biennial Smog Check requirement. Hybrid vehicles four model-years and newer are also exempt from the change-of-ownership Smog Check requirement.