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Why do I have to have a smog check?

Jun 22, 2022

We all know that the consumption of the resources has now reached an extreme and this is mainly because of the increased number of vehicles that people use every day. This increased number of the vehicle is not only consuming the resources, but it is also a major cause of pollution. The new technology cars are designed in such a way that they hardly contribute to the pollution in the environment. But that doesn’t mean that you have to switch to a new vehicle now. Getting your vehicle in good condition can also resolve the issue up to some extent.


One of the recent pollution problems that we are facing is the excess amount of smog in the air. The smog in the air is mainly because of the smoke coming out of the factories and vehicles. Government institutions are taking care of the emission of smoke from the industries, and it is our responsibility to keep our vehicles checked. To make sure that your vehicle is not contributing to the cause you can consider to test it with smog check. Smog check program is an effort to improve the air that we breathe in. In the smog check test, the vehicle is tested for the excess emission of the smoke. If the vehicle is emitting a considerable amount of smoke in the air, then it is supposed to be repaired. Smog repair is not that expensive, and there are now many smog check stations that can help you to figure out whether your vehicle needs to be repaired or not.

The smog check has already played a vital role in reducing the air pollution that is created by millions of deceased vehicles. There is a bureau of automotive repairs that administrates the smog check but they have issued licenses to the independently owned stations, and they inspect the car for the smog. According to the Bureau of automotive repairs, all the vehicles that are of 1976 model or newer should get their vehicle tested by the smog check. This includes all gasoline powered, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. We believe that you will have a vehicle that lies in the list of the vehicles issued by the bureau. So, it is advised to get your vehicle tested by the smog check. You will not only contribute to a healthy environment, but it is important for your health and vehicle’s health as well.


Star smog shop,  and stations are the licensed stations where you can get your vehicle tested for the smog check. The bureau has specified some standards of performance according to your vehicle will be checked in the station. The star smog shop will not only test the vehicle for smog but will also offer the repair services as well. The prices of the smog check test can vary station to station, and you can do your research to find the best station for your vehicle.

The best way to make your vehicle to pass the smog check is to keep it maintained. Make sure that there is no light coming out of the check engine. There is no blinking or flashing light, and if there is then, you have to consider repairing it on the immediate basis. Even if the renewal of the vehicle registration is not due, then you have to pass the smog check test to get the renewal. So, it is best to keep your vehicle repaired and maintained so that you don’t face any issues in the smog check test.

How to save money on repairing your car brakes and how to maintain them?

22 Jun, 2022
Question any car owner about their car brakes and what it takes to repair and maintain them; you will get a bunch of rants. Boy, do these people need to vent out or not…they surely need to! Auto repair costs a lot and we all know about that. When it comes to how can you save just some dollars by the end of the month, you can certainly do that if you are good at management BUT only if your car brakes don’t start messing up with your life. Saving money on car brakes repair and maintenance is something that a lot of us do not have any clue about. But if you try doing a little research, you are certainly going to get a handful of information that is going to aid you in saving cash on repairing your brakes and also maintaining them so that you don’t have to invest endlessly in them. HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON CAR BRAKES REPAIR? So here are some simple ways through which you can start saving up on your car brakes repair. Find the best Mechanics and Stick with them: The first thing that a good mechanic or garage owner wants is value customers. Customers who start relying on them and choose them over anyone of them, is what everyone cherishes. So when you start getting your car brake or any other part repaired, you need to make sure that you can trust them and you built up a loyal relationship with them. Gradually, you will be one of their valuable customers and the prices for you will be set affordable in comparison to the others. Get Estimates: This is basically al about researching well. You need to roam around a bit and see what prices different mechanics are offering. It is always preferred that you pick a mechanic near your home so that you can go home and keep an eye on your car along. When you will stop by at 2-3 garages, you will see how different rates each of them offer you. This is where you need to compare and pick the shop that is offering the most affordable rates. Have a little Knowledge yourself: Until and unless your brakes are in a real bad condition, you can check them on your own too. There is nothing wrong in that. You own the car and having a little information about its whereabouts is just okay. Thus, you need to make sure that you have some knowledge about how you can fix the brakes on your own too. You must be able to identify the issue at minimum so that you can argue with the mechanic too. Many times, the mechanics charge more than they should; assume that the owner doesn’t know about the problem. This is going to be a major perk for you if you understand your car and what it really needs. HOW TO MAINTAIN CAR BRAKES? Once you have saved your money and have gotten your brakes repaired, you need to make sure that you maintain them too so that you don’t have to invest in them over again. So how can you maintain them? Here are some simple tips that will help you in doing so. The very first or most essential step towards maintaining your car brakes is to read through your car’s manual. It will have all the required details in it. Go through the brakes section and see what has to be done in order to keep them in shape and running well. You must know when your brake pads need to be replaced. A lot of people do not pay much heed to it and that is where the issue arises and starts causing larger troubles. It will eventually demand more money too. If your manual says that you must go for brake pad replacement once a year or maybe once in 2 years or whatsoever, make sure that you do attend to it. It is really important to educate yourself about all the parts of your brake. You should know what starts to cause a slight trouble too. The internet has advanced so much that you can easily look at tutorials to learn visually about your car brakes. Also, don’t drive your car in extreme high speeds. The higher the speed, the faster your brakes start dying off and demanding for replacement. Always keep a mediocre speed so that your brakes don’t end faster. Don’t put the brake on just because the person next to you is doing so. A lot of people just brake without any specific reason. This is termed as “coasting” and you will learn it gradually, if you are a new driver. But you need to assess whether your brake is needed or you can slow down and coast. You need to change the brake fluid periodically. This is something that cannot be overlooked at all. If you speak the mechanical language then this is known as bleeding and flushing. Renewing your brake fluid will help you maintain them way more than you can imagine. SUMMARY: PHEW! So that is it!! Through these simple ways and educating yourself, you can easily save your money and also maintain your car brakes. It is all about having a little knowledge and you are good to go slow on your wallet and handle your brakes better than anyone else.
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