As more and more vehicles are found in the metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson areas, there is an increase in air pollution that endangers public health. To improve air quality and reduce vehicle emissions in these areas, ADEQ administers a mandatory vehicle emissions testing and repair program known as Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP). Vehicle emissions is the pollution from cars comes from by-products of this combustion process exhaust and from evaporation of the fuel itself. They are important to monitor and limit because the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter.  ADEQ’s VEIP program looks to reduce emissions through required testing and repairs should your vehicle fail. It is crucial to maintain vehicle performance to lower emissions, but also to extend the life of your investment. It is not meant to catch motorists doing something wrong. In fact, the program has been improved in order to help motorists do their part in lowering emissions overall. According to the ADEQ website, in 2014 ADEQ lowered vehicle emissions inspection fees by 25% for millions of Maricopa County motorists – from $27.75 to $20. The agency also now replaces faulty gas caps for free when vehicles in Maricopa and Pima counties fail the gas cap test during the emissions inspection.

Yes, your vehicle could possible fail the emissions test one day. The following are some common reasons that vehicles do not pass:

• The fuel metering out of specification due to a faulty computerized engine control, carburetor, or fuel injection unit.
• A faulty oxygen sensor which measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas. Without fixing this, it can lead to other problems including overheating, higher toxic emissions and loss of acceleration power.
• A defective ignition system where the analyzer detects high hydrocarbons. The most common causes of high HC are defective spark plugs wires, worn out spark plugs, over advanced ignition timing or a worn out distributor cap.
• Leaks in the vehicle’s vacuum are also a possibility. A vacuum leak is often caused by the MAP sensor not working properly and may be found in the gaskets or the vacuum lines somewhere else.
• A rich fuel mixture where high CO2levels are often caused by high carbon monoxide levels due to a weak ignition or a rich air/fuel mixture.
• Malfunction in the air injection system which is supposed to help reduce your emission of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide of a car. If the air injection system is defective or malfunctions, the engine is not able to properly control the levels of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emission causing the car to emit high levels of these dangerous gases.
• Faulty evaporative emission control systems are also a known issue for failing an emissions test. This system prevents gasoline vapors from the fuel system and tank from being released into the atmosphere. Some of the more common causes of a faulty EVAP include leaks in the vacuum hoses and vents, defective purge valves, or faulty gas caps.

If your vehicle fails the emissions test here in Arizona, you must have it repaired and re-inspected. Our auto repair shop can work with you to ensure that your vehicle is ready to pass with flying colors the next time around. The re-inspection is free if you return within 60 days of your original or subsequent paid test with the repair information completed on the back of the vehicle inspection report. We’d like to remind you that it is  important to consider your warranty and to look for any emissions coverage before paying to have this done.

Checking for pollutant emissions is an important responsibility of motorists to protect the environment and improve the quality of the air we breathe. As frustrating as it is, failing an emissions test isn’t the worst thing that could happen to your vehicle and in some ways, it can be a positive thing. It will alert you to a problem with your emissions or your engine and once you have it repaired, you will likely enjoy improved performance, increased power and gas savings. Since these tests have been put in place, this nation has greatly reduced typical vehicle emissions. As more vehicles are being driven and more pollution looms over  Phoenix, it is more vital than ever to ensure that your emissions are under control. If you fail your latest emissions test, come see our auto repair technicians and get back on the road to low emissions once again.