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As the U.S. leans more towards eliminating pollutants in production and manufacturing industries, the government has had to take a serious look at which areas contribute the most to pollution. Towards the top of the list of pollutants is also one of the most important possessions that humans can own: a vehicle.

Personal cars, company fleets, truck drivers, and public transportation vehicles are all vital to everyday life for many Americans. Unfortunately, vehicles that are not regulated can emit a whole lot of harmful gasses and contaminants into the air.

Vehicle Emission Tests

State governments have tried several methods to reduce toxic release, one of which being to require vehicle owners to bring their vehicle in for an emissions test. An emissions test is a series of inspections that determines whether or not your vehicle is releasing an excessive amount of pollutants into the atmosphere.

The DMV requires that almost all vehicles pass an emissions test in order to be registered, meaning if your vehicle doesn't pass, you can't get or renew the license plate. Some states don’t require emissions testing for vehicles made before a certain date while some counties don’t require a test at all.

Before you can register your vehicle, you will need to make any repairs on your vehicle that may have led to the failed test. What usually happens is an inspector will give your vehicle a point-by-point test of the emissions system. After the test is completed, the inspector will let you know if your vehicle passed or if it failed and a general explanation of which repairs will allow it to pass.

Whether you question the accuracy of the test or just want to save time by avoiding a failure in the first place, you will want to read on to learn some of the most common reasons for an emissions test failure.

How Emissions Tests Work

The EPA and other regulatory bodies support the accuracy of emissions testing as an effective way to manage the pollutants that are released into the atmosphere from the exhaust system of vehicles. There are two common emissions tests that are currently used: the OBD (On-Board Diagnostic) check and the I/M240 dynamometer test.

The I/M240 test is only used on vehicles that were manufactured between 1981 and 1995 and uses some very thorough testing dynamics. Through the use of a dynamometer that simulates driving on road conditions, the exhaust gasses are captured from the vehicle and then analyzed to determine whether the car passes or fails.

The OBD check is only used on vehicles from 1996 to the current date. This test draws data directly from the vehicle's OBD system to measure all emissions equipment for proper working condition.

Top 5 Reasons why Vehicles Fail Emissions Tests

• Loose or Leaking Gas Cap: The seal on gas caps can wear away over time, especially in older vehicles. A gas cap that doesn't have a tight seal can easily lead to tank fumes being released. In most cases, simply replacing the cap should do the trick.
• Dirty Air Filter: One of the top reasons that vehicles fail emissions tests is a dirty air filter. If your vehicle's filter becomes clogged then high levels of carbon monoxide may be released into the air. If your vehicle fails a test, a new filter may solve the issue.
• Bad Spark Plugs: Spark plugs have a limited operation life. Pay attention to the mileage interval for your particular vehicle. Changing your vehicle's spark plugs when they've expired will help improve your vehicle's performance and mileage as well as lower its emissions pollutants.
• Bad Catalytic Converter: The function of the catalytic converter is to convert toxic gasses into nontoxic emissions. A damaged catalytic converter is one of the top reasons why vehicles fail their emissions test. Most catalytic converters are quite pricey, so you definitely want to have a professional mechanic confirm that this is the issue before you replace yours.
• Check Engine Light: One of the least expensive and easiest fixes to help your vehicle pass the emissions test is a replacement or repair on a faulty check engine light. There are occasions when your vehicle is operating at an acceptable level but still can't pass the test due to a defective check engine light. If you take your car to a reputable mechanic the chances are good that this will be one of the first things they will look into.

Trying to diagnose and correct your vehicle on your own could end up nickel-and-diming you as you try to get your vehicle to pass the test. You can save yourself a lot of time and potentially a lot of money if you get your vehicle into a respected shop from the get-go.

Huron Automotive, serving the Green Bay, WI area, will inspect your car and be completely honest and transparent of our findings. We believe car care should be hassle-free and always affordable. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to speak with our staff.