This 5.0L V10 AWD Lamborghini Gallardo passed it’s biennial smog check inspection with flying colors!
Swarming Honey Bees
Honey bee swarming season is right around the corner. In some areas it has already begun.
Last year, this swarm suddenly appeared in the Bohemian Orchid tree in my front yard. They were gone in 48 hours.
While impressive, and maybe a little frightening (Okay maybe very frightening), bee swarms are usually harmless if left unmolested; however with the increased presence of Africanised honey bee colonies in Southern California, you should always keep a safe distance between yourself and any bee swarm you encounter.
Why do honey bees swarm?
The simple answer is often overpopulation. When a hive reaches capacity, a new queen is formed and she, along with a few thousand worker bees will pick a nice day to leave home and start their search for a new place to build a hive.
Along the way, the swarm will usually chose a safe place to rest for a couple of days.
While the hive rests, scouts search for a permanent hive location. In the meantime, the queen emits powerful pheromones that cause the worker bees to swarm around her in a protective ball.
Within a day or two the swarm will usually depart as quickly as it arrived.
What if it is not a rest stop?
This year, a smaller swarm appeared on the same branch, in the same tree. They were also gone within 48 hours.
Bees resting in the branches of a tree, side of a house, or other exposed location will typically move on within seventy-two hours.
On the other hand, bees that move into the walls of a house, hollow of a tree, or other protected location are probably there to stay.
It’s time to call a professional!
You should NEVER attempt to evict a bee swarm by spraying it with water, smoke, chemical spray, or any other means. Instead, contact an experienced beekeeper.
You can find lists of skilled beekeepers who can handle swarm removal on the Orange County and Los Angeles County Beekeepers Association websites.
Of course, if your vehicle needs a smog inspection (STAR Station, “Regular Smog”, etc), don’t call a beekeeper, instead call Just Smogs in Huntington Beach at (714) 596-1019. You can also book an appointment online by clicking here.
Smog Check OBD Reference Update
The Bureau of Automotive Repair has issued an update to the Smog Check OBD Reference Guide. The update 
includes new service bulletins, emissions recalls and information on the following vehicles:
- BMW 323i: ECM reflash recall is needed to set oxygen sensor monitor.
- 2000-2001 Nissan Maxima and Infinity I30: New catalyst may be needed to run catalyst monitor.
- 2001 Chevrolet Silverado and Tahoe C/K 1500: Send to BAR Referee only if secondary air monitor is not running.
- 2002 Chevrolet Silverado C/K 2500 HD Diesel: Send to BAR Referee only if EGR monitor is not running.
- 2009 Kia Borrego LX/EX: Send to BAR Referee only if EGR monitor is not running.
- 1999-2006 Nissan UD1200 Box Truck (10-14K GVWR, Federal Diesel): Not equipped with OBD, BAR-OIS skips OBD test.
- 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4 liter turbo: Catalyst monitor not running. BAR-OIS allows any one monitor.
- 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.
Just Smogs® Fleet Services
Smog Check Fleet Services
Smog Check Fleet ServicesDon’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.
Emission Parts Locator Service
CALIFORNIA’S SMOG CHECK PROGRAM
CALIFORNIA’S SMOG CHECK PROGRAMMost 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.
Angie’s List 2015 Super Service Award
We’re Proud to announce that once again JUST SMOGS® has received Angie’s Lists highest honor. The Angie’s List Super Service Award, a leading national honor, recognizes the top 5% of qualifying businesses per category, in each market, who maintain superior service ratings 
and reviews throughout the past year. We would also like to thank all of our great customers that took the time out of their busy schedules to post their positive experience with our company. Our team strives for 5-STAR service and every positive review motivates us to deliver on our promise.
OBD Monitors and Testability Issues
OBD Monitor Readiness
Readiness 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
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.
Just Smogs® Star Certified Test and Repair
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.