Every two years, Northern Virginia drivers must have an emission test conducted on their vehicle.
This requirement applies to those who keep their cars in certain localities, such as Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
The emission test seeks to protect the environment by making sure the car releases the right amount of fumes into the air.
It is run by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an emissions shop. It became a Virginia Certified Emissions Repair Facility in 2017.
We confirm details about the car, including its weight and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
When testing a vehicle that’s older than 1996, inspectors use a sniffer tool that’s put inside the tailpipe. They also check for various components, including the catalytic converter, O2 sensors and the Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP).
We use an OBD II connection device on newer cars. The DEQ computer plugs into the OBD II port on the car and checks for problem codes and system monitors.
Those monitors can include the EVAP system, catalyst (catalytic converter), 02 sensors, the EGR system, Oxygen Sensor Heater and secondary air system.
There are a few ways you can be rejected for testing: if there are bald tires, an audible exhaust leak, or fluid that’s dripping on the dyno machine.
Why does that matter?
We have to make sure the vehicle is safe to run on the dyno, in case the DEQ requires it.
This article was written by HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire, an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer in Woodbridge. The auto repair shop performs various services, including oil changes, alignments and computer engine diagnostics.
