Don't clear that check engine light—this $100 tool can save you a failed smog test

The “check engine” light is the most annoying orange icon in America. Half the time the car feels fine, and the other half ...
Los Angeles Times

Why aren’t dirty diesel trucks in California smog-checked? That could soon change

For decades California has required owners of older cars to pass periodic tailpipe emissions tests in order to register their vehicles. But there is no smog check program for the more than 1 million ...
Fleet Owner

Samsara joins California fleet smog test pilot

Telematics provider Samsara recently joined the California Bureau of Automotive Repair's continuous testing program pilot. The program aims to alleviate in-person smog testing for public sector fleets ...
GM Authority

California Smog Check Cracking Down On Third Party Software Modifications

Starting today, the California Smog Check Program will begin testing vehicles to ensure their vehicle is running either an OEM or California Air Resources Board-approved engine software tune. The ...
Yahoo

‘Leno’s Law’ aims to protect classic vehicles in California by removing smog requirements

The High Desert classic car community is hopeful after hearing that a California bill, which aims to protect vintage vehicles from outdated smog check requirements, is making its way through the ...
Overdrive

California’s ‘smog check’ for out-of-state trucks: EPA proposes to disapprove

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to partially halt California’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) relating to emissions controls for non-gasoline-combustion vehicles over 14,000 ...
CNET

ECU-tuned cars will now automatically flunk California smog testing

However, the state still says you're free to flash an ECU to stock and return the tune after the test. It all started with Gran Turismo. From those early PlayStation days, Sean was drawn to anything ...
The Desert Sun

California lawmaker, Jay Leno seek to exempt classic cars from smog check requirements

A California lawmaker is teaming with comedian and renowned automotive enthusiast Jay Leno to seek an expansion of smog check exemptions for classic cars. State Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, ...
The Drive

California Is Adding Webcams and Biometric Checks To Smog Check Stations

The state of California will soon require biometric authentication and webcam monitoring at smog test stations, as it seeks to prevent fraudulent inspections from taking place. California’s smog ...
Yahoo

Fact Check: No, California Didn't Turn Away Fire Trucks From Oregon Over Smog Certification

Dozens of fire-fighting vehicles from Oregon were turned away from helping to fight L.A. wildfires in January 2025 because they didn't meet California’s smog-certification standards. According to ...
Motor Trend

California Smog Testing Will Now Sniff Out (and Fail) Tuned ECUs

Beginning July 19, 2021, Californian automotive enthusiasts have yet another item to add to an ever-expanding list of dos and don'ts (mostly don'ts) regarding their mandatory biennial visits to ...
Carscoops

California Smog Checks Will Start Failing Cars For Unapproved ECU Tunes On July 19

Starting on July 19, 2021, smog testing procedures in California will check for modified or non-CARB compliant software in cars. Practically, that will mean that cars with ECU tunes not approved by ...