What to Do If the Vehicle Fails the Emission Test?
2 Answers
While waiting for the emission test, keep the vehicle idling. Before the emission test, rev the engine a couple of times. For older vehicle models or engines with high mileage, you can add two bottles of fuel additive in advance to dissolve engine carbon deposits, or use higher octane gasoline to better suit the engine. During maintenance, you can perform cleaning of throttle carbon deposits, cylinder carbon deposits, fuel injector carbon deposits, and intake manifold carbon deposits. Backflush or replace the catalytic converter.
Oh no, failing the emissions test is really frustrating. I ran into the same issue last time. Most of the time, it's because the catalytic converter is broken or there's too much carbon buildup. Don't panic yet—you can first check if your car has any abnormal noises or black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. Then, it's best to visit a repair shop and have them use professional equipment to test the oxygen sensor and fuel injectors. If it's just a carbon buildup issue, a simple cleaning will do the trick, costing just a few dozen bucks. But if the catalytic converter is damaged, you'll need to replace it, which could range from a few hundred to over a thousand. To prevent this, avoid idling for too long, use higher-quality gasoline, and stick to regular maintenance. Remember, don't cut corners by going to shady shops—only certified inspection centers can truly solve the problem. Safety first—driving a car with excessive emissions is a no-go.
