you have to smog a car in california every two years.
you have to smog a car in california every two years.
when do you have to smog a car in california?
every two years
the smog check program is one that has been instituted in most of the states throughout the united states, however in california the program proves to be one of the most stringent tests. the test is not stringent due to the nature of the testing procedure, but rather the emissions cut-points and defining of legal parts that california enforces. california goes about implementing different smog guidelines for different vehicle model years. for instance, according to the dmv website, vehicles of the model year 1975 and older are all smog exempt and do not need to go through the process of getting a smog inspection in california. it may be true that these older cars in actuality emit more pollutants than its newer counterparts, but from a cost effectiveness standpoint there simply aren't enough cars that are 1975 and older to implement smog tests on these vehicles. on the other hand, however, vehicles ranging from 1976 to 1996 have a multi-part smog inspection which needs to be completed once every two years. this test consists of the following: tail pipe emissions test, a visual inspection, an evaporative emissions system pressure test and a check to ensure ignition timing (on applicable vehicles). each one of these components of the test are essential to keep a vehicle from over-polluting into the environment. the evaporative emissions system test, for example, would determine that the system is pressure tested and secured with no leaks so that excess hydrocarbons are not being emitted into the atmosphere. while on the other hand, the tail pipe emissions test directly measures the amount of pollutants that the vehicle emits. the state of california has set rigorous tail pipe emissions cut points for each vehicle that then determines whether it will pass or fail the emissions test. these cut-points are set for the amounts of hydrocarbons, carbon-monoxides, nitrogen oxides and percent carbon dioxide that a vehicle is permitted to emit before it is considered to be over-polluting. the bureau of automotive repair and california's air resources board conducts multiple tests throughout the year to gather enough sample data to set reasonable values for the cut-points for each vehicle within california. in doing so, the state's two main concerns are to limit air pollution, and prevent excess consumer failure rates. therefore, through their roadside smog tests and emissions surveys california manages to maintain cut-points that reflect reasonable values.
pollution in california
smog is often categorized as being either summer smog or winter smog. summer smog is primarily associated with the photochemical formation of ozone. during the summer season when the temperatures are warmer and there is more sunlight present, photochemical smog is the dominant type of smog formation. during the winter months when the temperatures are colder, and atmospheric inversions are common, there is an increase in coal and other fossil fuel usage to heat homes and buildings. these combustion emissions, together with the lack of pollutant dispersion under inversions, characterize winter smog formation. while photochemical smog is the main smog formation mechanism during summer months, winter smog episodes are still common. smog formation in general relies on both primary and secondary pollutants. primary pollutants are emitted directly from a source, such as emissions of sulfur dioxide from coal combustion. secondary pollutants, such as ozone, are formed when primary pollutants undergo chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
smog