The beautiful city of College Park, MD, is known as a center for creativity and innovation, with the University of Maryland located at its heart. In addition to their prowess in education, they are also famous for lush trees and clean air. Keeping the city this well-maintained requires effort from everyone, and keeping car emissions low is part of that. This list will break down everything you need to know about an emissions check.
Why There Is a Legal Mandate
Driving offers us loads of benefits, like independence and the ability to get where we need to be without having to rely on someone else’s schedule, but unfortunately, vehicle usage creates dangerous exhaust gases. Testing for pollutants and the requirement of catalytic converters were both created to help mitigate those risks.
The good news is that it’s not that hard to meet the threshold for passing the test. Simply having an up-to-date converter and a well-functioning fuel system will most likely result in your vehicle being cleared to return to the road.
Required Frequency of Checks and Types of Tests
The frequency of testing, regardless of the year of your vehicle, is going to be once every two years. That said, the type of testing will differ depending on the year your car was made. Vehicles manufactured between 1975 and 1995 will undergo a gas cap test to ensure the seal is tight while vehicles from 1996 onwards will be subject to an onboard diagnostic test.
All vehicles, regardless of year, will also be required to pass a tailpipe test. The facility you’re testing at will place a probe on your exhaust pipe while your car is idle to determine if the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide are within an acceptable range.
What You Can Do To Pass a Check
As mentioned earlier, the best thing you can do to pass an emissions test is to have your catalytic converter clean and operational. This device is used to trap toxic molecules and convert them with a precious metal into more manageable forms. The component requires some level of upkeep, however, as the inner films can become clogged with deposits over time. If the converter is damaged, you’ll need to visit a dealer to have a replacement installed.
Maryland has set laws in place, like every other state, to keep emissions down so we can all have a protected atmosphere and breathable air. Testing is mandatory for keeping your vehicle legal, and the maintenance of certain fuel system components is critical to passing your evaluation. Visit DARCARS Nissan of College Park today or schedule a service online for a general maintenance check-up where our service technicians will ensure your emissions are cleared.
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