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Why should I choose Fire House Smog – there are a lot of options, why is Fire House the best choice? |
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We provide the quickest smog check service in a convenient location - 7 days a week. |
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Our seasoned crew performs tests in two service bays – so you get timely results and the best possible chance of success. |
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We are a test only station - we don't do repairs, so our only desire is to see you pass the test… you don't have to worry about “bait and switch” games! |
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All vehicles are welcome – diesels, "Test Only", RVs, gross polluters, etc. (RVs please call ahead.) |
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If you have trouble passing, we provide a free re-test. |
| You can avoid DMV lines and get your vehicle tags here! |
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We are a licensed DMV business partner and provide CA vehicle renewals and ownership transfers |
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We issue stickers and registration cards on site, and arrange for new titles. |
| We provide a high level of service in a comfortable environment for all of our valued customers. Give us a try and you’ll notice the difference! |
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| What is the purpose of smog checks? Who needs to get a smog check, and who doesn’t need to get a smog check? |
| According to the California Air Resources Board: |
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California’s 34 million residents collectively own about 25 million cars and drive more than most other Americans. Motor vehicles are California’s number one cause of air pollution, and controlling pollution from cars and trucks is essential to reduce smog. |
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Today’s new cars pollute 99 percent less than their predecessors did thirty years ago. Still, more than half of California’s smog-forming emissions come from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. |
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The Smog Check Program has greatly reduced air pollution created by millions of cars in California. The program removes about 400 tons of smog-forming pollutants from California’s air every day. |
| Following is a summary of the current (2010) rules about who needs to get a smog check: |
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Gasoline-powered vehicles |
Diesel-powered vehicles |
Gasoline-powered vehicles need a smog check if: |
Starting in 2010, many diesel vehicles require a smog check to be registered in California. |
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Ownership is transferred |
In general, all diesels with model year 1998 or later need to get smog checks (even later model cars). You will find out if your diesel needs a smog check in your DMV registration renewal notice. |
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An out of state vehicle is registered in California for the first time |
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The vehicle’s model year is six or more years ago, it needs to get a smog check every other year. This will typically be specified in the registration renewal notice that the DMV sends to the owner. For example: |
Also, diesels need a smog check when ownership is transferred, or when a vehicle from out of state is registered in California for the first time. |
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2005 models will start requiring smog checks every other year starting in 2011. |
Diesel vehicles with model years 1998 and earlier are exempt from smog checks. So are diesels with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating over 14,000. |
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2004 models will start requiring smog checks every other year starting in 2010.
Vehicles manufactured prior to 1976 do not need to get a smog check, and neither do motorcycles. |
For more information about diesel requirements, go to the Bureau of Auto Repair’s website at www.bar.ca.gov and click on Diesel Smog Check Inspections (or search the BAR site for “diesel”). |
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| Can Fire House Smog test my vehicle? What are Fire House Smog’s hours and where are you located? Do I need an appointment? |
| Yes, we can test your vehicle! In fact, Fire House Smog can perform a smog test on virtually any vehicle that needs a smog test in California. |
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If your DMV registration renewal specifies that you need a smog check (even if it says you need to go to a “Test Only” station), we can perform the test and issue the smog check certificate. |
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We routinely perform tests on both gas and diesel engines. |
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Our location once housed two fire engines, so we can handle your vehicle even if it is a large truck or RV! |
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We are located at 2900 Lone Tree Way, Antioch CA 94509, three blocks south of Highway 4's A Street/Lone Tree exit. Click here for a map. |
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Look for the old fire station with the big flag pole in front! Our location was a working fire station from 1964 through 2000, and has been a locally owned smog station since 2004. |
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Click here for a map to our location. |
| Our hours of operation follow: |
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Smog checks: 7:00 AM-7:00 PM Mon-Sat, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Sun. |
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Vehicle registration renewals and ownership transfers: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Mon – Sat.
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| We are happy to take appointments, but no appointment is needed. We do ask that you call in advance if you have an RV or other vehicle that may have special requirements. |
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Most of our customers simply drive in, and most have their tests completed in 15 minutes. 90% are complete within 20 minutes! |
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Call us at (925) 754-1600 if you prefer to make an appointment. |
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RVs/Special Vehicles: Our location once housed two fire engines, so we can handle yours. But please call in advance if you have an RV or other vehicle that may have special requirements. |
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| What happens at the end of the test? What do I get? Do I need to send anything to the DMV? |
| At the end of your test, we provide you with a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) documenting your results. We transmit your VIR automatically to the DMV computers for you, so you don’t have to send it to DMV. |
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If your vehicle passes the test, all you have to do is complete the instructions provided by the DMV in your Registration Renewal Notice. Typically, this means sending in your registration payment either on line or via the mail, after which the DMV sends you your new registration card and sticker. Or, if you need your stickers in a hurry, you can ask Fire House Smog to provide them for you! (Service fee applies) |
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If your vehicle fails the smog test, we will stamp your invoice for a “Free Retest within the Two Weeks” (we are generally able to extend this to a month if requested). So, you have time to take any necessary actions, then bring the vehicle back to Fire House Smog for the free re-test |
| More about the Vehicle Inspection Report |
| The VIR documents the following: |
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Whether your vehicle passed or not |
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How your vehicle did on the “functional test”, which looks at whether the vehicle’s emission system components are functioning correctly; and |
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How your vehicle’s emissions compare to California standards (if applicable). |
| The emission results show how the vehicle’s emissions compare to the average and maximum for its weight and model year, including the following harmful pollutants: |
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Hydrocarbons (HCs), which is unburned fuel. HC’s are typically associated with combustion misfires. |
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Carbon Monoxide (CO), an invisible and odorless poison that can be extremely harmful. CO is associated with a “rich” air/fuel mixture where more fuel (or less air) than ideal is entering combustion. |
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Nitrous Oxide (NOx), which combines with sunlight and HC to create the visible smog we sometimes see. Excess NOx is associated with extremely hot combustion temperatures– especially temperatures above 2500 degrees. |
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Why do vehicles fail the smog check? What happens if my vehicle fails? Any tips for passing? |
| Recent data indicates that about 90% of vehicles pass the smog test. However, this means that ~10% fail. If your vehicle fails the smog test: |
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We will stamp your invoice for a “Free Retest within the Two Weeks” (we are generally able to extend this to a month if requested). So, you have time to take any necessary actions, then bring the vehicle back to Fire House Smog for the free re-test. |
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We will also provide you with a list of licensed smog repair shops in the local area. (We do not perform repairs at Fire House Smog as part of our commitment to the Test Only concept – so you don’t have to worry about bait-and-switch games when you visit the Fire House.) |
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The components of the vehicle’s emission system are incomplete or not functioning correctly. This may be signaled by a missing or damaged component or by a problem/trouble code from the vehicle’s computer. |
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If your Malfunction Indicator Lamp (aka “MIL”, “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light) is illuminated, this indicates that the vehicle will fail the smog check. You may choose to get a smog test anyway, to find out what “code” the light is signaling and whether there are any other issues that could cause the vehicle fail. You can use this information to help them resolve the “check engine light” issue, and bring the vehicle back to the Fire House when it’s ready for its free re-test. On the other hand, some customers prefer to deal with the check engine light issue first, then bring their vehicle to Fire House for the smog test. |
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The vehicles emissions exceed state limits. For gas engines, this means the vehicle has excess Hydrocarbons, Carbon Monoxide or Nitrous Oxide. For diesel engines, this means that the vehicle is emitting excess visible smoke. If you fail the emissions test, we will inform you about the types of issues typically associated with the excessive emission(s), which you can use as a starting point for figuring out what might need to be fixed. |
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Hydrocarbons (HCs) is unburned fuel. HC’s are typically associated with combustion misfires. |
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Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible and odorless poison that can be extremely harmful. CO is associated with a “rich” air/fuel mixture where more fuel (or less air) than ideal is entering combustion. |
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Nitrous Oxide (NOx) combines with sunlight and HC to create the visible smog we sometimes see. Excess NOx is associated with combustion temperatures that is extremely hot – especially temperatures above 2500 degrees. |
| Tips for passing: |
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The underlying reason for most smog check failures is neglecting proper, regular vehicle maintenance per the owner’s manual, and/or tampering with the emissions control equipment. So, if you perform proper and regular maintenance and don’t tamper with the emissions equipment, you give yourself a good chance of passing! |
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If you disconnect your vehicle’s battery or jump start your vehicle, the vehicle’s computer will not allow you to pass the smog check until you have driven it through one “drive cycle”. This means you need to drive the car until the sensors that “speak” to the car’s computer have “woken up”. Bottom line: make sure you drive your vehicle for at least 50-100 miles after a battery disconnect/jump start before getting a smog check. |
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Does the government provide assistance to consumers facing significant repairs? |
Yes. The State of California’s Consumer Assistance Program provides financial assistance to repair or retire vehicles that fails the Smog Check. Following is some general information about the programs (like all state programs, they may be subject to funding restrictions): |
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For repair assistance, you can qualify for up to $500 assistance in one of two ways: |
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If your vehicle registration renewal notice directed you to get a smog check at a Test Only station, then you automatically qualify subject to a $100 co-pay; or |
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If you meet the state’s income requirements, you may qualify subject to a $20 co-pay. |
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If you feel your car is not worth repairing and want to retire it, the State may buy the car from you for $1,000 and have it scrapped at a local dismantler, if you qualify for the CAP. |
To benefit from the CAP, you must first submit an application and have it approved by the Bureau of Auto Repair. All repairs must be performed at a specially qualified “Gold Shield” smog repair station.
For more information about the CAP program, go to the Bureau of Auto Repair’s website at www.bar.ca.gov and click on Consumer Assistance Program (or search the BAR site for “CAP”). |
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| Can I renew my vehicle registration at Fire House Smog? Can I transfer the ownership for my vehicle at Fire House Smog? What do I get when I do this at Fire House Smog? |
| Fire House Smog is a licensed business partner of California’s Department of Motor Vehicles. |
In most cases, we can renew your California vehicle registration. If you do this at Fire House Smog, we will provide you with your new sticker and registration card. Exceptions follow: |
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We cannot perform this service for vehicles that have never been registered in California. |
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Also, in most cases, we cannot perform this service if you have already provided your payment to the DMV. |
In most cases, we can perform transfers of ownership for California vehicle registration. If you do this at Fire House Smog, we will provide you with your new sticker and registration card, and the DMV will send you the new title in approximately two weeks. Exceptions follow: |
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We cannot perform this service for vehicles that have never been registered in California (i.e., out-of-state vehicles). |
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Also, we cannot perform this service if the title lacks any of the required information and signatures, or if the title has been altered in a way that does not pass physical inspection standards. |
| Service fees are required for FHS vehicles registration and transfer of ownership services. Also, we can only provide these services Monday through Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM (we perform smog tests Monday through Saturday 7 AM-7 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM). |
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| Links to key sources for additional information |
Additional information can be found at the following State of California websites. The BAR and ARB sites provide information about the smog checks as well as a lot of other auto and air quality programs, and the DMV site provides information about vehicle registration requirements among other things |
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Organization |
Organization’s Mission |
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California Bureau of Automotive Repair (part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs) |
To protect and serve California consumers by ensuring a fair and competitive automotive repair marketplace and administering a model motor vehicle emissions reduction program. |
www.bar.ca.gov (hyperlink)
Tip: From the BAR homepage, click on Consumers for useful consumer-related information (you can even check your vehicles smog check history by clicking “Find a Vehicle Smog Test History”). |
California Air Resources Board (part of California’s Environmental Protection Agency) |
To promote and protect public health, welfare and ecological resources through the effective and efficient reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering the effects on the economy of the state. |
www.arb.ca.gov (hyperlink) |
California Department of Motor Vehicles |
To effectively and efficiently serve the public by:
- Registering vehicles to identify and authorize use and titling vehicles to establish ownership interest.
- Licensing and regulating the motor vehicle industry, and licensing drivers to protect consumers and promote traffic safety.
- Establishing true identity to ensure the validity of licensed drivers and ID card holders.
- Securing and protecting personal information.
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www.dmv.ca.gov (hyperlink)
Tip: Most people can complete their registration renewal on line at the DMV site. From the DMV home page, scroll down until you see On-line Services, then click on Vehicle Registration Renewal. |
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