Author: HDiaz

California has some of the most stringent laws dealing with motor vehicles and their emissions. For people who drive used cars, going through the California car inspection process for smog can be stressful. There are about 14 million cars that are 25 years or older out on American roads today. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make sure your car passes the California vehicle inspection.

1. Make sure your vehicle is running well when you have it inspected. No matter where you have your car inspected for its emissions, you should never take it in if it needs repairs first. If there is an issue with how your car is running, you need to take some time to go to an auto repair shop before you even think about getting your car inspected. Even if your car is running well but your “check engine” light is on, make sure you have the car checked before the inspection.
2. Drive around a bit before you get to the inspection site. Experts recommend driving your vehicle for at least 20 minutes before you take it in for a California car inspection for emissions. Your car has a better chance of passing these tests when it is totally warmed up. After being driven for 20 minutes or more, it will enter its optimum level for driving.
3. Give your car an added boost by using additives. There are products out there that are very good at lowering the levels of emissions being put out by your vehicle. While you adding fuel to your car, add some fuel additives. When these products mix with the fuel, they are able to clean out deposits of carbon from the fuel system as a whole. The less carbon you have lining your car’s pipes, the lower your emissions will be. You need to use the product as directed and make sure you use up all the fuel with which the additive is being used.
4. Make sure your tires are inflated properly. When your cars are correctly inflated, they will run with more accuracy and stability. The impact on how your California car inspection for emissions and smog can be dramatic. If you find yourself right on the line between passing and failing, your tires can make the difference. The older your car is, the more important this step is.
5. Have your oil changed. If you are close to the time when you need to have the oil in your car changed, go ahead and do that before you take your car in for a California car inspection for smog. Your car is built so that fumes from the areas where oil is found in the car, are sucked into the fuel system where they are burned off. If your oil is old or dirty, that will cause your emissions to go up and can cause your car to fail.
6. Wait if you have had problems with your battery. If your car needed to be jump started or you replaced it, you should wait a bit before going in for the California car inspection for smog. This is more important for newer cars because losing power for any reason can impact the car’s computer system. The computer controls any internal devices that monitor your car’s emissions. When these are not functioning correctly, there is no way to pass an emissions test.
7. If you have an older car, make sure the weather is good on the day you go for your inspection. Cars manufactured before 1999 are put on a dynamometer for the emissions inspection. When these older cars go in with wet tires, there can be issues on that device. When these tests are being conducted, you want to put as little strain on your car to give it the best chance possible of passing the inspection.

The process of going through a California car inspection for smog can be stressful. These tips are not meant to help you cheat the test but give your car the best chance possible to pass it. There are reasons California is so strict but these tips can take some of the stress out of the inspection process.

There is nothing like driving a classic car. Most modern vehicles look and feel the same, mainly because most of them share parts. But classic cars are entirely different. These vehicles are stylish and will garner all sorts of attention as you drive down the road. Additionally, they hold their value over time, have strong emotional appeal, and they feel pretty great to drive.

Before you start driving a classic car, however, there are some essential things you need to consider in order to get the most out of new vehicle.

Here are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to buying classic cars:

• Classic car inspections — Classic car pre purchase inspections are extremely important. Remember that a classic car is still a used car, and you need to ensure that it’s in good standing and functioning properly. Classic vehicles are considered classic once it’s over the age of 25 years old, meaning that if they weren’t taken care of properly, they might not be safe to drive. Classic car inspections will ensure they are safe for driving.
• Get good insurance — Whenever you purchase any kind of vehicle, you need to make sure that you have a quality insurance policy. There are a lot of different insurance options when it comes to insuring a classic car. It’s best to shop and compare policy options so that you aren’t wasting money.
• Decide how often you’re going to drive it — You probably shouldn’t drive your classic car to the grocery store every time you need to get some milk. You’ll have to decide how often you’re going to drive your classic car depending on how precious it is to you and your family. Driving it to a wedding or big family reunion is great, but you might want to keep it off the road during the winter.
• Factor in the cost of upkeep — The global automotive aftermarket industry is projected to reach $722.8 billion by 2020. Classic vehicles can cost a lot at first and even more once you actually own it. If you aren’t taking care of your car, you might have to completely rebuild its engine, which can obviously get very pricy. Additionally, refinishing interior, repairing rust, and repainting jobs can cost a lot, as well. As long as you’re taking care of your classic car, however, and have budgeted some extra cash for upkeep, you should be fine.

If you want to learn more about the importance of scheduling classic car inspections and general vehicle inspections, give IMC Inspection a call right away.

The typical car on the road in the U.S. is a record-high 11.5 years old. Though today’s vehicles are manufactured using top-of-the-line technology, cars still break down after a while and are often in need of all kinds of maintenance and repairs.

That’s why California vehicle inspections are so important. Without a quality and legitimate auto inspection, not only are you breaking the law, but you’ll be putting yourself, your family, and everyone else on the road in danger if your car isn’t functioning properly. Auto inspection stickers prove that your vehicle is up to date and that is suitable for all kinds of roads.

When it comes to California vehicle inspections, pre purchase inspections include the following:

Body and Exterior Trim

• Exterior paint condition rating

• Impact strips and body trim molding damage

• Body panel alignment

• Post factory repairs

• Document post factory paint blemishes, cosmetic issues, environmental degradation, dings, dents, and scratches

Document Review Process

• Car check report

• Title status

• Salvaged or theft recovery

• Service and maintenance records

• Search for open manufacture recalls and campaigns

Fluid sampling and charging tests

• On-site battery and electrical analyzer testing: involving a patented conductance technology meter we are able to perform a battery and charging system analysis.

• On-site oil and fluid analysis: Testing of the fluid based on certified criteria that has been utilized in the laboratory environment for decades. The test is designed as an aid in determining the condition of the oils or fluids.

Electrical

• Radio, navigation, blue-tooth connectivity, and hands free operation

• Complete systems check of all electrically powered components within the vehicle

• Headlights, turn signals, horns, rear lights, and running lights

• Instrument panel gauges

• Power windows, locks, and seats

Transmission

• Check for impact damage

• Note condition due to environment exposure

• Inspecting wheel wells, rockers, lower rust prone panels

• Obvious damage to chassis

• Signs of rust, corrosion, or under spray

Suspension, brakes, tires, and steering

• Excessive side to side play in steering wheel

• Check for abnormal tire wear, weathering, or damage

• Control arms, bellows, and bushings

• Braking abnormalities or veering

• Rack and pinion, struts, and schocks

If you want to learn more about classic car inspections or schedule a California vehicle inspection, contact IMC Inspection right away.

The global automotive aftermarket industry is expected to reach $722.8 billion by 2020. There are all kinds of vehicles out on the roadways, but, unfortunately, many of them aren’t in as good shape as they probably should be.

 

Getting your car inspected is an essential part of vehicle ownership, but it can also be quite costly if you’re not careful. If your vehicle isn’t ready to pass inspection, not only are you going to stress about driving a car with an expired inspection sticker, you’ll likely have to spend a lot of money getting everything fixed.

 

That’s why it’s so important to stay on top of your auto maintenance before you head to your next vehicle inspection.

 

Here are some important things you should do before you think about getting your car inspected:

 

• Replace your air filter — Luckily, you can replace your air filter without needing any tools or really any automotive maintenance skills at all. All you need is a few minutes and you should be all set. You should replace your air filter every 12 months (or 12,000 miles). Your filter is located under the hood of your car in a black rectangular box — check your owner’s manual if you can’t find the box as soon as you open your hood.

 

• Replace your spark plugs — You should be replacing your spark plugs after about 30,000 miles, unless your owner’s manual says otherwise. Though this project is a little more time-consuming than simply replacing an air filter, you can still get it down in under a half hour if you know what you’re doing. All you need is a socket wrench and some new spark plug sockets.

 

• Keep air in your tires — Neglecting to keep your tires filled with air will cause all sorts of problems. Not only will your car not run properly due to the deflated tires, but you’ll also risk doing significant additional damage to your vehicle down the line. In addition to keeping your tires filled with air, make sure you get them rotated in between your oil changes, as well.

 

 

Whether it’s brand new vehicles or classic car inspections, make sure you take care of your automobile beforehand to avoid high costs. If you want to learn more about preventative auto care, getting your car inspected, or schedule a pre purchase car inspection, give IMC Inspection a call today.