Note: No car will pass a smog test if the Check Engine light is on. If you take your car in for a test with the Check Engine light on, you will fail. Be sure to take your car to the mechanic when the light turns on, and before taking it in for a test so you don’t waste your time. [5] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/2/25/Stop-an-Engine-from-Overheating-Step-5Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Stop-an-Engine-from-Overheating-Step-5Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/2/25/Stop-an-Engine-from-Overheating-Step-5Bullet1. jpg/aid3364539-v4-728px-Stop-an-Engine-from-Overheating-Step-5Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:306,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:485,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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Simply take your car to a smog test station and ask if they can provide a “Pre-Test. " {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/4/44/Know-if-Your-Car-Will-Pass-Smog-Step-6Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Know-if-Your-Car-Will-Pass-Smog-Step-6Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:”/images/thumb/4/44/Know-if-Your-Car-Will-Pass-Smog-Step-6Bullet1. jpg/aid3364539-v4-728px-Know-if-Your-Car-Will-Pass-Smog-Step-6Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:291,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:461,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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<br />\n</p></div>"} They will charge you the same cost for a pre test as a regular test (minus certification), but you may save a lot of money compared to being flagged as a polluter. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/e/ea/Know-if-Your-Car-Will-Pass-Smog-Step-6Bullet2. jpg/v4-460px-Know-if-Your-Car-Will-Pass-Smog-Step-6Bullet2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/e/ea/Know-if-Your-Car-Will-Pass-Smog-Step-6Bullet2. jpg/aid3364539-v4-728px-Know-if-Your-Car-Will-Pass-Smog-Step-6Bullet2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:306,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:485,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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<br />\n</p></div>"} If you are flagged as a “gross polluter,” you will have to go to a “STAR” repair station that will cost you considerably more money than a regular repair station. If you think there is any risk of being flagged as a gross polluter, do the pre test first.

If you have to sit in a long line at the test center then put your car in park and hold your RPM’s up to about 1200 to 1500 just before it is your turn. This will burn off any excess fuel from extended idling. Some cars also have the new auto stop and will shut off your engine at stops.