What questions do you have regarding getting a smog check in San Jose? Let Green Star Smog Check in San Jose answer those questions.
Since we have been serving the San Jose community for years, we have heard hundreds of questions regarding our service. Here are the answers to some of those FAQs.
If we don’t answer your specific question in this blog, please reach out to the staff at Green Star. You don’t need an appointment, so you can have your questions answered in person. You may also call our office at (408) 423-0000. The staff of Green Star Smog Check can’t wait to serve you.
What do I need to bring when I go to Green Star Smog Check?
Of course, the most important thing you need to bring is your vehicle. We suggest that you drive your car at least 15 minutes before arriving to make sure your emission-related components are ready to be checked.
Besides bringing your car, you may also bring the renewal notice that you received from the DMV. Look for the document with the barcode across it. Don’t fret if you can’t find your notice. It’s not vital that you have it.
Finally, if you are money conscious (and who isn’t?), you may want to visit our website and print out our smog check coupon.
How do I learn a vehicle’s smog check history?
Are you considering buying a used car? Is the owner or dealer not able to provide proof that the vehicle recently passed a smog test, you should be wary of handing over the money. Fortunately, if you know the vehicle’s VIN or license plate number, you can visit the California Bureau of Automotive Repair website. From there, you can enter either of those numbers to see the report on that particular car.
The report will state the make, model, and year of the vehicle, so you can make sure that it matches the car you were considering to buy. The report will also give you the date of the last inspection, and it will tell you whether or not the vehicle passed.
Where can I find the cheapest smog check price?
You’ll receive not only the best service but also the lowest price at Green Star Smog Check. We are located at 88 Keyes Street in San Jose.
What happens if your car doesn’t pass the necessary smog test?
If your car doesn’t pass the smog test, you cannot legally drive your vehicle. The DMV simply won’t register it.
Green Star Smog Check will give you a report that explains the repairs that you need to make on your car. Green Star Smog Check is a check-only station. This means we can’t make the necessary repairs. Green Star offers a 30-day retest for vehicles that are model year 2000 and newer.
Do I need to visit a STAR check station?
You may have noticed that your documentation from the DMV says that you need to have your smog check performed at a STAR station.
The state of California says that vehicles older than model-year 1999 must have an inspection at a STAR station. Cars of this age require a tailpipe inspection, and STAR stations must have the appropriate equipment for this test.
We get a lot of questions about the different types of smog tests that we perform at Green Star Smog Check. That’s why we would like to take this opportunity to inform you about the different types of smog tests that are available at our facility. Here are some of the checks that you can receive at your favorite smog check in San Jose, California.
STAR Station Smog Check
Green Star Smog Check has been designated a STAR station by the California Bureau of Automotive Repairs. This means that we have met the higher standards that the state requires for a smog check station. As you search Google for a “smog check near me,” make sure you choose a STAR smog check facility.
Smog Check Only
Green Star Smog Check is a test-only facility. Many of our customers feel more comfortable having a check done at a test-only facility because they know that we won’t financially benefit by failing your vehicle. Since we only do the testing, we won’t charge you for the sometimes costly repairs that may be required to have your vehicle pass.
Again, we have nothing to gain from failing your vehicle. In fact, we offer a 30-day retest for 2000 and newer cars.
Smog Check Gross Polluter
Green Star Smog Check will also test your vehicle that has been designated as a “gross polluters.” Our state defines gross polluters as vehicles that, when tested, exceed at least one of the gross polluter standards. This means that the car tested at twice the maximum emissions limits.
Vehicles also receive the gross polluter designation if they fall under the High Emitter Profile database. These vehicles have a higher probability of failing an inspection.
If you own a gross polluter, you must have your initial inspection at a STAR check only station.
Smog Check – Out of State
If you purchase a new vehicle outside of Calfornia, you need to have a smog test completed to have it registered in our state. This is because not all new cars are made to pass Calfornia’s stringent emission standards. There are some exemptions to this rule, especially for active members of the military. For more information, check the state’s DMV website. And more!
Green Star Smog Check will perform other tests as well, such as the Change of Ownership Smog Checks, Truck and RV Smog Tests, and regular smog checks on sedans, all types of diesel vehicles, SUVs, minivans, pick-ups, RVs, and heavy-duty trucks. If you can drive it, we can test it.
Why you should choose Green Star Smog Check
Check out Green Star Smog Check’s customer reviews. They depict a friendly staff and clean and comfortable waiting rooms. They also offer free WIFI and coffee. Don’t forget to print out the Green Star smog check coupons off the website before you arrive.
No need to make an appointment — just drop by Green Star Smog Check. We are open seven days a week. Find us at 88 Keyes Street in San Jose.
The State of California considers smog-check locations as “essential businesses.” Still, officials say you may want to call the “smog check station near me” before you go to learn about new safety protocols that may be in effect. After all, we are all in this COVID-19 fight together, and care needs to be taken by every person to limit the spread of the virus.
Some of you may be concerned about the process of having a smog check. Perhaps you don’t want to get out in the community because you are worried about catching the virus. Maybe you are concerned about the smog check price because you have lost your job as a result of the pandemic.
While your concern is understandable, you need to know that the State of California is not waving the smog check requirements during the COVID-19 epidemic. With that being said, we thought it would be important to share with you the news we have heard from the state.
You may be wondering what to do if your vehicle registration is set to expire within the next few weeks. While the California Department of Motor Vehicles will be closed for a time, you may be able to take care of your basic renewal from the safety and comfort of your home. Visit California’s “virtual DMV” to take care of your basic transactions.
If you choose to wait to have your smog test complete until after the coronavirus subsides, that is your decision. You won’t have to pay any late fees for not having the testing completed on time (if you pay your registration fees online). However, you will not receive your new registration sticker until the smog test is complete. This means that the sticker on your license plate will still be expired.
According to a news report, officials from the DMV are asking police officers to avoid giving tickets for expired registration until life returns to normal. Of course, the DMV does not have this official authority so that the request could be granted or ignored.
Just in case, you may want to pay for your car registration online, and then keep a proof of payment with your car. Explaining the situation to an understanding officer may prevent you from getting a ticket.
If you choose to get your testing done, and are looking for a smog check in San Jose, we humbly ask that you visit Green Star Smog Check. Green Star is a STAR certified, test-only location, and we can quickly complete your smog so that the police can’t use an expired registration as a reason to stop you.
Green Star Smog Check will smog sedans, SUVs, vans, pick-ups, RVs, and heavy-duty trucks. Do you drive a diesel? Bring it in, and we can smog check it.
We know this is a stressful time. Let Green Star Smog Check make your smog check renewal service as painless as possible.
You know that sometimes you get what you pay for. You have probably learned this truth the hard way at some point during your life. Maybe you bought a cheap laptop that was continually crashing. Perhaps you purchased cheap sheets that were scratchy and uncomfortable. Or did you buy a bargain TV that gave a green tint to all of the actors on your favorite show?
When it comes to completing your biannual smog test, you may wonder if you can search “cheap smog test near me” on your smartphone and go to the first facility on the list. Or do you need to spend a lot of money to find the best smog test place in the business?
Choose a test-only smog check station. Other businesses will do the smog test and will then fix whatever is wrong with your vehicle that kept you from passing. When you visit a test-only facility, you can be assured that you will receive accurate results.
Of course, we are not accusing other business owners of shady practices. All we are saying is that there is that when you go to a test-only smog check facility, the business owner receives no benefit to find something wrong with your car.
Greenstar Smog Check is a test-only facility. The staff will give you an honest assessment of your vehicle and will send you to another location if repairs are required. Greenstar will also offer a 30-day retest on 2000 model cars or newer.
2. Look at reviews.
ou look at reviews before you pick a taco stand in an unfamiliar city. Why wouldn’t you consult your favorite review site before having your biannual smog test? See what other customers have to say about the friendliness of the staff, the cleanliness of the facility, and the quickness of the test.
Greenstar Smog Test in San Jose has excellent reviews. They smog all types of vehicles, from SUVs to sedans. They also smog diesel vehicles, RVs, and heavy-duty trucks. They are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They are also open on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also make an appointment on their website.
3. Find a smog check facility that offers a discount.
Do you want to save money on your smog check? Find one that has periodic sales or coupons. Currently, Greenstar Smog Check has a deal on smog checks for sedans and coupes. See their website for details.
4. Finally, look for a smog check station that is located in a convenient location.
Greenstar Smog Check is located at 88 Keyes Street in San Jose. Are you looking for a cheap smog check station in San Jose that offers quality service? Greenstar Smog Check does both.
How can you tell the difference between a STAR smog check station and a regular smog check station? How do you know which type of test you need? Keep reading this article, and we will tell you the difference between the two types of business and tell you where to find the best STAR check station in San Jose.
Check your notice from the DMV to see whether or not you are required to have your smog check completed at a STAR station or not. Not every California vehicle is required to be tested at one of these specialized stations.
STAR stations are smog check centers that meet higher performance standards. The California Bureau of Automotive Repair established these standards. Some STAR stations are test-only stations, and some can do tests and repairs. State law requires that a percentage of vehicles have their smog checks performed at STAR stations.
How do you know which vehicles are required to be inspected at a designated STAR station? There are three determining factors. Two have to do with the type of car you drive, but the last factor is determined by random chance.
1. Vehicles that gross polluters or vehicles that have failed a previous smog inspection must go to a STAR station.
2. HIgh emitter profile vehicles, which the Bureau of Automotive Repair has determined to have a high chance of failing the review, must be tested at STAR station.
3. Finally, a random sample of vehicles is required to go through a STAR check.
If you received a notice to obtain a smog check at a STAR station, it could be because of the type of vehicle you own, or you may just be one of the lucky ones chosen for this type of testing.
There’s no need to fret If your vehicle has been selected to go through a STAR smog check. Simply Google “STAR smog check near me” or visit Green Star Smog Check.
Green Star Smog Check is a test-only STAR station. Most of the time, smog checks at Green Star Smog Check take only 15 or 20 minutes. You can schedule an appointment, but walk-ins are also welcome.
There are other STAR-certified stations in the area, but Green Star Smog Check has received great reviews. Previous customers say that they have professional and friendly staff, but they also offer a clean waiting area.
Green Star Smog Check is open every day of the week. They also have a 30-day free retest policy for cars from the year 2000 or newer. This means that if you don’t pass the smog check the first time around, you can return to Green Star Smog Check after your repairs are complete to get your certificate.
Green Star Smog Check is a test-only station in San Jose. This means that their technicians won’t try to sell you any expensive repairs to pass your smog test.
If you are like most people, here is the range of emotions you probably experience every time you receive a smog check notice.
Denial
When you first see the notice, you probably think — “didn’t I just get a smog check on my car?” Some believe that they MUST have received the notice in error.
The reality is that two years go quickly. If your car is older than eight years, you need to have a smog check completed bi-annually or once every two years.
Annoyance
You know how important it is that all Californians work together to improve the air quality in San Jose, but you are annoyed to add another item to your already too-full to-do list. You have to work, help your kid with homework, take your grandma to her appointments, and find time to watch the Warrior games on TV. You don’t have time to get a smog check.
The reality is that a smog check only takes 20 or 30 minutes. The time will pass quickly as you scroll through Tik Tok.
Acceptance
After the denial and annoyance come acceptance. You know that having a smog check every two years is required for your vehicle. Instead of throwing a fit, you might as well, Google “smog check near me” or “smog check coupon.”
Do you go through this same range of emotions every other year? Perhaps you have dutifully completed your smog check, but you have no idea what goes on as you chill in the waiting room of Green Star Smog Check. Here’s what happens as you watch Netflix on your phone.
Green Star’s staff visually inspect the emission control components of your vehicle. They also look over all the car’s systems. Keep in mind that Green Star Smog Check is a test-only station. That means that they are unable to repair anything that is broken. This means that they do not receive a financial benefit if they find something wrong with your car. Next, our technicians complete a functional inspection of your car’s check engine light, ignition timing, exhaust gas recirculation system, fuel evaporative system, and the gas cap. Don’t wait for your smog check to find out why your check engine light appears. And if the check engine light blinks, make sure you consult a licensed mechanic immediately. After the car’s central systems are checked, our technician completes a check using the car’s On-Board Diagnostic System. This means that the technician plugs a device into your car’s computer system to determine if there’s anything wrong with it.
Finally, our staff inspects the tailpipe emissions. The amount and type of each pollutant are analyzed.
You may know nothing about cars, and the above steps may sound like a bunch of gobbledygook. If this is you — no worries. The only thing you should understand is the California smog check history requires that you complete this process to protect Californians from being harmed by pollutants caused by engine exhaust.
Besides understanding that completing a smog check is your responsibility as a car owner, you also need to understand that not every smog check business in San Jose is the same.
You need to bring your car to Green Star Smog Check. We are a highly-rated STAR station, and we will have you in and out in less than 30 minutes. No appointments are necessary. Simply drive to our location at 88 Keyes Street, San Jose.
Are you new to the Golden State? Or have you recently realized that smog checks are not standard in other parts of the country? If so, you may wonder why smog testing is necessary for California drivers.
Let’s learn why smog testing is necessary for our great state. First, we will learn about the history behind smog testing. Then we will discuss why California seems to have a problem with smog.
Smog check history
California has always been a part of the first wave to develop environmental policies. In 1972, the state started the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). This department was in charge of licensing and regulating the car repair industry. Concurrently, the California Highway Patrol began ticketing drivers of cars that emitted excess pollution into the air.
Everyone else in the country began to talk more about clean air by 1977. During this time, the federal government passed the Clean Air Act. With federal and state regulations now demanding change, the state’s leadership became more determined to reduce the number of harmful emissions from cars. The state government started a new program to inspect vehicles. At first, only cars that were changing owners were targeted. But in 1984, California began a more encompassing smog check program.
Record-keeping became easier in 1996. It was at this time that the smog check records began to be recorded electronically, and the information was easily shared with the DMV and the BAR.
In 1997, smog check centers opened. These centers would test the vehicles and notify proper channels if the car did or did not pass inspection. Residents of California were required to have their vehicles tested every other year.
As technology changed, the guidelines to pass the smog test became more stringent.
In 2007, California vehicles were also required to pass the low-pressure fuel evaporative test.
A program was developed in 2013 that would inspect the smog check stations in San Jose and elsewhere throughout the state.
The newest standards say that electric cars do not need to undergo smog checks. In 2019, the state determined that cars 2019 and later were not required to undergo smog checks as well.
Why is there so much smog in California?
Cars in Kansas cause pollution too. Why is there a focus on smog in California?
First, California is full of highways. It’s a highly-populated area, and as a culture, Californians love cars.
Next, California enjoys many days of sunshine. While this sunshine gives everyone good vibrations, it can have a detrimental effect on the environment. When sunlight mixes with nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon gases, smog is created.
To top it all off, California has just the perfect storm of topography and weather patterns that may cause air pollution to stick around the atmosphere for longer than it would in other regions. This results in the air being full of toxins that causes cancer, respiratory illnesses, heart problems, and asthma.
As a California resident, you are proud that your state has taken the necessary steps to reduce air pollution by requiring smog testing on most of its vehicles. What you may not know is how these checks affect you. Let’s learn about smog testing in San Jose as well as other areas of the Golden State.
Who is required to check their vehicles?
The California smog check program requires that any car that is newly registered in California must undergo a smog check. The state also requires that each vehicle that is sold must have testing completed. Additionally, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, when sending a renewal notice, will indicate whether it is time to obtain another smog check before re-registering your vehicle. This testing may be required every two years.
What is a smog check?
Those familiar with smog check history will understand that the state first required smog checks beginning in 1984. The program was designed to help improve the air quality in our state by identifying and fixing vehicles that produce excess emissions.
Smog checks measure the type of pollutant that your vehicle is emitting. They also measure how much of each pollutant is going out into the atmosphere.
During a smog check, the vehicle’s emission control systems are checked. Technicians also check the ignition timing, exhaust gas recirculation system, evaporative fuel system, gas cap, and the check engine light. They also check that the on-board diagnostic system is working. Finally, a tailpipe emissions inspection is performed.
Where can I find a smog check near me?
Although you may see smog check locations scattered about the area, make sure you trust your vehicle to a STAR certified station. Green Star Smog Check is located at the corner of 3rd and Keyes Street in San Jose (88 Keyes Street, San Jose). It is conveniently located near both the 280 and 87 freeways.
The Green Star Smog Check is a test-only facility, so you won’t be pressured into making expensive repairs that you may or may not need.
When can I have a smog check performed on my vehicle?
Green Star Smog Check is open seven days a week. No appointment is necessary, but you can call ahead at 408-423-000. Smog checks at Green Star usually take only 15 minutes, and you can wait for your car in our clean waiting rooms.
Why should I choose Green Star Smog Check?
We know that no one is excited to get a smog check completed, but at Green Star, we have done all that we can to make the process as painless as possible. Our technicians are fast and friendly. We provide a comfortable waiting room — with free coffee and wifi. Our reviews are good, and we deliver what we promise.
Check our website for online coupons (valid only with your paperwork from the DMV).
Let’s work together to make sure our air is safe for us and our natural environment for generations to come. Visit Green Star for smog testing in San Jose.
Finding Star Smog Check Station
