If you live in a state where you have to have a smog test done on your vehicle each year, you may be worried that you are going to fail it. If so, there are some changes you can make to your vehicle to help you pass this test, four of which are listed below.

Use a Fuel Injection Cleaner

Put a fuel injection cleaner in your car every few weeks. It can be very helpful if your fuel system and engine are clean before you go to the smog station for your smog test. Purchase a fuel injection cleaner at an auto parts store. Pour it into your gas tank the next time you get gas. This will remove some of the grime that may be in the fuel system.

Use Low Octane Fuel

When you get gas, choose the lowest octane fuel the station has available. High octane fuel can cause your vehicle to fail the smog test. You do not have to permanently use low octane fuel, just fill your car up with it before you go to your test. Low octane fuel works well because it burns faster when it is in the combustion chamber, which gives the engine much longer to remove the emissions from the gas.

Take a Drive

Before you take you vehicle in for the smog test, drive it for approximately 30 minutes right before you go. This will warm the engine up so it is running at the optimum level. Your engine burns fuel when it is in the combustion chamber so if the engine is warmed up it can burn the fuel quicker. Doing this along with using the low octane fuel should help your vehicle pass.

Change the Oil

If it is time for your car to have an oil change, you should change it before you take your car for the smog test. If there is dirty oil in your car it may release pollutants, which will then cause your vehicle to fail the test. When the oil is being changed, ask the mechanic to look over the engine to see if there are any hoses that are disconnected, broken or cracked ask the mechanic to change them for you.

Depending on the state you live in, the smog test facility, such as West Coast Smog, may do a pre-inspection on your vehicle that will cost you less than a mechanic.