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1. When You Get Your Notice, Make An
Appointment
Your Drive Clean notice will arrive about 90 days before your vehicle
registration renewal date. The chart on the back page will help
you determine when your turn will come. First step is to choose
an accredited Drive Clean facility and make an early appointment
for the test.
So don't wait - book early. Remember that you must pass the
test before you can renew your license plates.
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2. Check the Basics Before You Go for
the Test
The Drive Clean test will check that your vehicle's emission system
meets the standards for which it was designed. It's simple, fast,
accurate and reliable. But before the test can even be done, there
are a few things to check:
- The gas tank cap. If it's broken, faulty or missing, the
emission controls will not work properly and the car cannot
be tested.
- The exhaust system and catalytic converter. The exhaust system
is an important part of the emission control system, and your
vehicle cannot be tested if there are holes in the exhaust
or catalytic converter, or if parts are missing, or there is
other damage to the system.
- Major fluid leaks. A Drive Clean facility cannot test your
car if it's leaking significant amounts of oil, water, or anti-freeze.
Have a qualified mechanic fix the problem before you take the
test.
- Damaged or worn tires. The test uses a dynamometer - a kind
of treadmill that allows your car to be "driven" on
the spot while a probe in the tailpipe analyzes the exhaust
gases. If your tires are excessively worn, have loose tread,
or visible damage, the vehicle cannot be tested.
- Visible smoking. The Drive Clean test equipment will not
be required to disqualify your vehicle if it is visibly smoking.
Chances are whatever is causing the smoke is also doing other
damage, so have it checked and repaired before you take the
Drive Clean test.
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3. Study Your Car's Habits
If it's hard to start, stalls, or stumbles even when it's warmed-up,
or runs on after it's shut off - these are problems that could
cause you to fail the Drive Clean test. Chances are a simple
tune-up will set things right, so get it done before your Drive
Clean test. |
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4. Tune It Up!
When's the last time you had a tune-up? Most manufacturers recommend
a tune-up at regular intervals to make sure the vehicle meets
the emission standards it was designed to meet. A car that's
tuned-up will likely pass a Drive Clean test. |
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5. Do It Early!
You'll have about 90 days from the time of your notice until you
must renew your license plates - and you can't renew until you
pass the test. The best strategy is to choose and accredited
Drive Clean facility and book your appointment early. |
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