Author: MasterTech

Smog Check OBD Reference Update

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The Bureau of Automotive Repair has issued an update to the Smog Check OBD Reference Guide.  The update check engine lightincludes new service bulletins, emissions recalls and information on the following vehicles:

  1. BMW 323i: ECM reflash recall is needed to set oxygen sensor monitor.
  2. 2000-2001 Nissan Maxima and Infinity I30:  New catalyst may be needed to run catalyst monitor.
  3. 2001 Chevrolet Silverado and Tahoe C/K 1500: Send to BAR Referee only if secondary air monitor is not running.
  4. 2002 Chevrolet Silverado C/K 2500 HD Diesel: Send to BAR Referee only if EGR monitor is not running.
  5. 2009 Kia Borrego LX/EX: Send to BAR Referee only if EGR monitor is not running.
  6. 1999-2006 Nissan UD1200 Box Truck (10-14K GVWR, Federal Diesel): Not equipped with OBD, BAR-OIS skips OBD test.
  7. 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4 liter turbo: Catalyst monitor not running.  BAR-OIS allows any one monitor.
  8. 2001-2002 Chevrolet Cavalier CNG: Catalyst monitor not running.  BAR-OIS allows any one monitor to be incomplete.

Click here to view the complete Smog Check OBD Reference Guide.

Fleet Vehicles

Just Smogs® Fleet Services

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Fleet VehiclesSmog Check Fleet Services

Don’t trust your business to just any smog shop. With up to six times the staff and equipment of most competing shops, the Just Smogs® team is your only choice when it comes to quickly getting your vehicles certified and your employees back in business where they belong.

Why choose Just Smogs® for your fleet smog check Inspections?

  • Fast 15 to 20 minute service – Your time is money!
  • Fully insured and licensed
  • Optional appointments
  • Major fleet cards accepted
  • Purchase orders (POs) accepted – Net 30
  • Computerized data records
  • Diesel certified
  • Fleet discounts

Just Smogs® gladly accepts all major fleet accounts, including: Wright Express, Element Fleet Management, GE, and of course all major credit cards.  Let us know if you don’t see your fleet service listed.

Just Smogs® in Huntington Beach is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Extended hours are available upon request. Se habla español.

Image of tools and automotive parts

Emission Parts Locator Service

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Image of tools and automotive partsCALIFORNIA’S SMOG CHECK PROGRAM

Most California vehicles (1976 and newer) must pass a Smog Check inspection every other year in order to renew registration in the state. The Smog Check inspection includes: a visual inspection to verify that all required emission systems are present; a functional inspection to verify that specific emission control systems are functioning. In addition to the visual and functional inspection, model years 1976-1999 require a tailpipe inspection to verify that the vehicle’s exhaust emissions are within established standards.

REPAIR OF EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS

As part of the Smog Check Program, all vehicles with missing, modified, or defective emission control systems must be repaired. In some cases, the required part(s) can be difficult to find. The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) suggests that motorists first check with their new car dealer, local auto parts stores, and automotive recyclers to find the needed parts. However, if the parts are not available locally, BAR offers a special service to help motorists find them.

Emission Parts Locator Service

BAR contracts with the Foundation For California Community Colleges to provide a toll-free, statewide telephone Emission Parts Locator Service. The program’s employees help motorists locate those hard-to-find emission control parts they need to bring their vehicles into compliance.

However, if part(s) are not available, the Parts Locator issues a “Limited Parts Exemption” which is mailed to the motorist. The motorist must then make an appointment at one of BAR’s 36 Consumer Assistance and Referee Centers, where the vehicle will undergo a Smog Check inspection. The vehicle must pass all other aspects the inspection before the Referee can issue a Smog Check certificate.

Other Parts Locator Services

The Emission Parts Locator Service also provides general information about Smog Check and related programs, aftermarket parts that have been approved by the California Air Resources Board, and refers motorists to other agencies for help when appropriate.

Call the Emission Parts Locator Service toll-free at (800) 622-7733.

check engine light

OBD Monitors and Testability Issues

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OBD Monitor Readiness

check engine lightReadiness monitors are self- tests performed by a vehicle’s on board diagnostic (OBD) system to verify emission control functionality.

While most vehicles complete the various self tests during normal driving, achieving monitor readiness in a few types of vehicles is more difficult due to the vehicle design requiring unusual operating conditions or due to the fact that the owner never drives the car in the necessary operating mode.

Monitor completion is also dependent on properly functioning components, so a vehicle may never complete a monitor until a thorough diagnosis and repair of affected components is performed.

Readiness monitors must be rerun after a repair activity like disconnecting a vehicle’s battery, clearing diagnostic trouble codes,  or replacing a defective emissions component.

OBD Test Monitor Readiness Standards
(Implemented May 4, 2015)
Model Years Fuel Type total Incomplete Monitors allowed
1996-1999 Gas* Any One
2000 and newer Gas* Evaporative system
1998-2006 Diesel Zero
2007 and newer Diesel Any two
*”Gas” includes gasoline, propane, natural gas (CNG, LNG, LPG)

OBD Monitor Readiness Testability Issues

Some vehicle models are known to have issues that interfere with the successful completion of OBD readiness monitors.  The State of California Bureau of automotive repair maintains a list of these vehicles and specific remedies, if known, that can assist a motorist in completing monitors.  In some cases repairs may be required, and in others test equipment is programmed to ignore some or all readiness monitors on affected vehicles.

To learn more about OBD readiness monitors and testability issues, please download the Smog Check OBD Reference from the Bureau of Automotive Repair website.

Just Smogs® 2015 Holiday Schedule

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2015 Holiday Schedule (Hours subject to change)

Monday,December 21 to Thursday, December 24th – 8:00 to 5:30 PM
Friday, December 25th – Closed (Merry Christmas)
Saturday, December 26th – 8:00 to 3:00 PM
Sunday, December 27th – Closed

Monday, December 28 to Thursday, December 31 – 8:00 to 5:30 PM
Friday, January 1, 2016 – Closed (Happy New Year)
Saturday, January 2 – 8:00 to 3:00
Sunday, January 3 – Closed

We will resume our normal schedule on Monday, January 4, 2016.

Smog check sign

Just Smogs® Star Certified Test and Repair

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Smog check sign

Just Smogs Star Certified Test and Repair

For over fifteen years Just Smogs® has set the standard for fast, clean, and friendly smog inspections in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, and beyond. At Just Smogs® we take pride in providing five star service for all your smog check needs.

But what happens if your car fails?

Just Smogs® has always employed ASE certified technicians that are licensed by the State of California Bureau of automotive repairs to perform inspections and repairs; however until now, Just Smogs® has operated as a Test Only station. That meant that no repairs could be performed on the premises, only inspections… Until now.

Just smogs is now a star certified test and repair center

Just Smogs® can now both inspect, certify, and properly diagnose and repair most vehicles, including those that require “Star” certification, and vehicles that qualify for repair assistance under the Bureau of Automotive Repair Consumer Assistance Program (CAP).

We offer competitive labor rates, fair parts pricing, and the Just Smogs® guarantee of clean, friendly, and reliable service.

Toyota Prius on the beach near Huntington Beach Pier

Hybrids in Huntington Beach

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Toyota Prius on the beach near Huntington Beach Pier

Huntington Beach Hybrids at Just Smogs

Nobody performs more hybrid smog inspections in Huntington Beach than the dedicated ASE certified smog technicians at Just Smogs®.

It doesn’t matter if you drive a Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, Ford Escape, Mercedes E-Class, or any other brand of Hybrid, the dedicated smog technicians at Just Smogs® in Huntington Beach will deliver your hybrid smog check fast while you relax in our clean and comfortable waiting room.  Just don’t get too comfortable because at Just Smogs® hybrid smog checks fast really does mean smog checks fast!

Just Smogs® Reception Area

We’re making changes

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We’ve been re-decorating at Just Smogs®

Just Smogs® Reception Area

The Just Smogs® Reception Area

In addition to new furniture and displays in our reception area, we feature a family friendly waiting room with television, Netflix, games, and other features designed to enhance your smog check experience.

Stop in soon and enjoy a hot cup of fresh coffee. Let us know what you think about our new look.  Of course you may not have a lot of time because at Just Smogs® we do Smog Checks Fast!

Pssst, check http://www.justsmogs.com often for the latest news and information.  Big news is on the way.

Consumer Assistance Program

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Designed to help improve California’s air quality, the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) offers help to consumers who own vehicles that may have trouble passing the smog inspection.

Consumer Assistance Program – Repair Assistance

The Repair Assistance Program provides qualified consumers who own a vehicle that fails its biennial (every other year) Smog Check inspection up to $500 in financial assistance towards certain emissions-related repairs.

To qualify for CAP repair assistance, a vehicle must have failed its most recent biennial smog inspection.  Pre-Test, manual mode, and training mode inspections do not qualify.

Also, the vehicle and owner must meet registration and household income requirements.

You can learn more about CAP Repair Assistance at www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/RA_Requirements.pdf, or by calling (866) 272-9642.

Consumer Assistance Program – Vehicle Retirement

In addition to offering qualified consumers up to $500 towards certain emissions related repairs, CAP also offers consumers up to $1,500 to retire vehicles from operation.

Eligible vehicle owners who also meet household income eligibility requirements may $1,500 for each vehicle retired.  All other qualified vehicle owners shall receive $1,000 for each vehicle retired.

You can learn more about CAP Vehicle Retirement at http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/pdf/VR_Requirements.pdf, or by calling (866) 272-9642.

Aftermarket Catalytic Converters

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In order to be sold and installed in the state, aftermarket catalytic converters must be exempted from California’s anti-tampering laws.  If an aftermarket catalytic converter is shown to be durable and meets vehicle emission control requirements, it is granted an exemption Executive Order (EO) that allows it to be installed on specific emission controlled vehicles.

Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Requirements

1995 and Older Vehicles (Pre OBD II)

On non-OBD II vehicles, smog inspectors are required to ensure that all aftermarket catalytic converters installed on the vehicle have an EO number that covers vehicles within the correct vehicle category (PC-1, PC-2, T-1, or T-2). Refer to the ARB Web site for a separate Pre-OBDII EO Listing containing the EO numbers and corresponding vehicle categories.

Inspectors are not required to check specific vehicle application using the series or part numbers on non-OBD II vehicles.

Most 1996 and Newer Vehicles (OBD II)

Emissions control information labelIn order to comply with California’s anti-tampering laws, and pass the smog inspection, the part numbers on aftermarket catalytic converters that are installed on OBD II vehicles must be approved for the vehicle’s make, model, model year, engine size and test group/engine family designation.

To verify application, inspectors must verify the EO and part number against the ARB Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Database. Each EO contains a catalog listing the applicable vehicles.

Unlike non-OBD II vehicles, it is important to note that inspectors are required to check specific vehicle application using the series and part number.

For more information about add-on and modified parts, or aftermarket catalytic converters, please contact ARB’s Public Information Helpline at (800) 242-4450.