How Can I Pass the Emissions Test?

I’ve recently made a cross country move which as you may know was quite the undertaking. We packed everything we owned into a trailer and headed off on the open highway, hoping that all the maintenance I had recently done on our vehicles would pay off. It turns out preventative maintenance did indeed prevent us from breaking down along the way. Most of the preventative maintenance we did included rotating tires and getting fluids changed, but it also included adding BlueDevil products to a few of our fluids to help stop a few leaks on our older vehicles. After arriving safely, I’m happy to report, BlueDevil lived up to its “#1 in the Country” reputation and has sealed the leaks!

The one thing we didn’t plan on was having some different motor vehicle laws to deal with while registering our cars to our new address. We moved from an area where emissions testing was not required to a more metropolitan area where smog was an issue and yearly emissions inspections are required on all vehicles made after 1975. Our vehicles are old, but unfortunately not old enough to exempt us from the emissions test, so I started looking into what it would take to pass the test.

The main component on your vehicle responsible for controlling engine emissions is the catalytic converter, commonly called the “cat”. Introduced after cars were required to run unleaded fuel, catalytic converters became standard equipment in the 70s and are now illegal to remove from your vehicle. Catalytic converters are named for the rare metals inside them that the exhaust gas flows through. These rare metals are a catalyst to convert certain pollutants in the exhaust gas like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into less harmful gases. This catalyst in the catalytic converter can get used up over time increasing your vehicle emissions and causing you to fail the emissions test.

Emissions Components:

Catalytic Converter
EVAP system: captures gasoline vapors from your fuel tank
Oxygen (O₂) or Air/Fuel Ratio Sensors: measure combustion and emission gas levels
EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) System: recirculates exhaust gases back to the intake manifold to reduce emissions while the engine is warming up

Most vehicle emissions tests requires a visual inspection of these components to ensure they are still installed and functioning properly, or a computer test to ensure the sensors are functioning properly. Many states also still require a sample of your vehicles emissions to be collected and analyzed, sometimes called a “sniffer” test.

The test procedure can be expensive and time consuming, so you want to make sure your vehicle will pass the test before you head into a testing station. Our vehicle had 250,000 miles on the original catalytic converter and had gone without a test for almost 7 years so we were nervous it may be in need of replacement. We found one of the best ways to ensure your vehicle will pass is to add BlueDevil Fuel MD to your gas before you head to the testing station. BlueDevil FuelMD is a special blend of additives designed increase your engine’s efficiency and reduce emissions. One bottle treats up to 15 gallons of gas, is safe for all of your engine components and sensors, and is guaranteed to get your vehicle to pass your emissions test.

Don’t waste your time and money failing emissions tests, or replacing a catalytic converter that still has some life left in it. BlueDevil FuelMD is the best and easiest way to ensure your vehicle will pass its next emissions test. FuelMD also has lots of other benefits for your engine. Check back on our blog over the next few weeks to learn about the other benefits BlueDevil FuelMD has to offer!

In the mean time, pick up a bottle here, or by stopping any other our retail partners: