Never had a smog check before — or just want to know what the process looks like? Here's exactly what happens when you come in.
A smog check doesn't require much preparation, but a few things will help the process go smoothly.
Just your vehicle and a form of payment. If you have your DMV renewal notice, bring that too — it makes paperwork faster, though it's not strictly required. We'll pull up your vehicle information by license plate or VIN.
Make sure your check engine light is off. If it's on, your vehicle will automatically fail the smog test — the inspection can't override that. Also, make sure your gas cap seals properly. A loose or damaged gas cap is one of the most common (and cheapest to fix) reasons for a failure.
Your vehicle should be warmed up before testing. If you're driving here from San Roque, La Cumbre, or anywhere else on upper State Street, the drive over is plenty. If your car has been sitting for a few days, take it for a 10-minute drive before coming in.
Either works. Booking online guarantees a time slot. Walking in usually works fine too — especially on weekday mornings or early afternoons. Saturdays tend to be busier.
Pull into our lot at the corner of State and Calle Real. Our service advisor takes down your vehicle information — year, make, model, license plate, and mileage. If you booked online, we already have your details queued up.
The technician does a visual check of your emissions control components — catalytic converter, gas cap, exhaust system, and any visible hoses or connections. This is a quick walk-around to make sure everything is physically present and connected.
For 1996 and newer vehicles, the technician plugs into your vehicle's On-Board Diagnostics port — a small connector under your dashboard. This reads your engine's computer for any trouble codes, checks that all emissions monitors have completed their self-tests, and verifies the check engine light is functioning correctly.
The test takes about 10–15 minutes. Once it's complete, your technician reviews the results with you. If you pass — and most vehicles do — we file your smog certificate with the DMV electronically, right then. You don't need to mail anything or visit the DMV in person to complete your registration.
Pay, grab your paperwork, and head out. Complete your registration renewal online at the DMV website whenever you're ready. The whole visit — check-in to driving away — is typically under 20 minutes.
Most vehicles pass their smog check without any issues. But if yours doesn't, here's what happens next.
Your technician will explain exactly what caused the failure — whether it's a trouble code, a failed monitor, a component issue, or something else. Because we're a full Jiffy Lube Multicare facility (not a test-only station), we can usually diagnose and repair the problem right here.
Common failure causes include a faulty oxygen sensor, a failing catalytic converter, a loose gas cap, or incomplete drive cycle monitors. Many of these are straightforward repairs that can be completed the same day.
After the repair, we re-test your vehicle at no additional smog inspection fee. One shop, one visit, one trip out of your day.
If your check engine light is on, your vehicle will fail the smog test automatically. Get it diagnosed and repaired before scheduling your inspection. We can help with that too.
Vehicles that sit for weeks without being driven may have incomplete readiness monitors — the self-diagnostic tests your engine runs while driving. A few days of normal driving before your smog check ensures all monitors are ready.
If your registration is due at the end of the month, don't wait until the 30th. Come in early so there's time to address any issues. A failed smog check with two days until your registration expires creates unnecessary stress.