Welcome to our Blog page!

Our blogs are updated once a month, usually on the first day of the month. On this page, we offer advice, tips, and insights for becoming a safer driver and for better travels on Chico roads. Bookmark this page and remember to check back!

If you need auto repair service, don’t forget that you can schedule an appointment at this link for D&E Auto Repair in Chico. We look forward to seeing you! Remember that you are a part of the family at D&E Auto Repair in Chico. We’re located at 3328 Esplanade St., Chico, CA 95973.

The Test Your Vehicle Can Fail (Emissions Tests)

Clean air quality is something that helps all of us thrive here on Planet Earth.  And considering that motor vehicles are a contributor to air pollution, emissions tests in the U.S. and Canada are in place to keep vehicles from needlessly spewing dangerous gases into the air. 

While laws vary from place to place, the goal of an emissions test is the same: to make sure toxic gases are kept at a minimum. They often measure nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and hydrocarbons.  Fail the test, and you may not be allowed to drive that vehicle on the road until it's rectified.

Keeping your vehicle maintained is the best way to make sure you can pass an emissions test.  Here are a few things that could be wrong with your vehicle that might result in it failing that emissions test.

  • The mixture of fuel and air in your engine is heavy on the fuel.  That can cause issues with the catalytic converter that is intended to keep emissions to a minimum.
  • Your gas cap is leaking.  This may trigger your Check Engine light.
  • Your spark plugs are past their useful life.  They can cause emissions gases to spike.
  • Your EVAP system is leaking.  This is a closed system that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the air. Figuring out where the problem is can be tricky.

The best way to pass an emissions test is to keep all these components in top shape.  Your NAPA AutoCare Center can regularly inspect and maintain these systems to help ensure that your vehicle gets a passing grade, and this generation will keep passing on clean air to future generations.

D AND E AUTO REPAIR
3328 D ESPLANADE
CHICO, CA 95973
(530) 343-9703