Some states require regular safety inspections and/or emissions inspections on cars and trucks. At Autowise Automotive, we are well-equipped and trained to perform these inspections. Our technicians can also perform multi-point inspections on your vehicles as needed.
These are some of the inspection services we offer.
Emissions and Smog Testing
Read More About Our Emissions and Smog Testing
CA State Certified Emissions Repair Facility
A state certified emissions repair facility is a privately owned motor vehicle repair facility, licensed to repair emission-related failures. The repair facility must employ a CERT (Certified Emissions Repair Technician) who has passed a state-required training program. Autowise Automotive is a CA state certified emissions repair facility. Contact us at 510-284-0074 or visit us today for emission-related repairs and services.
CA State Certified Emissions Test Facility
Did you know that the Motor Vehicle Commission requires you to take your motor vehicle for an emissions inspection every year? This kind of testing is administered through a network of privately owned (but certified) auto repair shops. The auto repair shops carry their official Test Center number. Autowise Automotive is a CA state certified emissions test facility. At our auto repair shop, we can perform emissions testing on all eligible vehicles regardless of fuel type or model year. Visit our shop or call us at 510-284-0074 to make an appointment.
CA State Inspection Station
CA state inspection stations are privately owned, but government certified, inspection stations throughout CA. Autowise Automotive is a CA state inspection station. For your state inspection needs visit or call our auto shop at 510-284-0074.
Exhaust Questions and Answers
Q: What is a rough idle?
A: A rough idle describes a vehicle's engine with spark plugs that are not firing correctly when the vehicle is in park, with no gas applied. Most vehicles idle between 600 and 1,200 RPM and should hold their idle speed consistently.
Q: Why is smoke coming out of my tailpipe?
A: The most common reason for thick smoke coming out of your car's exhaust pipe is the fuel to air ratio in your engine is too rich. This means that the fuel injectors are either adding too much fuel or that the intake valves aren't letting enough air in. This is caused by a cracked or leaking fuel injector, a failing O2 sensor, or air filter that needs replacing.
Catalytic Converter Questions and Answers
Q: Can I drive with the catalytic converter light on?
A: A bad catalytic converter can increase your car's exhaust emissions, but it does not prevent you from driving. At Autowise Automotive we know this is true. A clogged catalytic converter will eventually affect the performance of your vehicle in Hayward, Fremont, Newark and Union City. Exhaust gases will not escape easily and create an increase in exhaust gas pressure. The buildup in pressure can lead to high-cost repair bills in the future.
Q: What can cause a catalytic converter light to come on?
A: A catalytic converter helps reduce harmful engine emissions from entering the air by breaking down the harmful byproduct of internal combustion into less-harmful compounds. If your catalytic converter isn't working properly the check engine light will come on. The most common causes for a catalytic convert warning light to display are a clogged, cracked or melted converter. Sometimes the problem isn't the catalytic converter at all but an exhaust leak letting gases out of the system before it reaches the converter.
To learn more about our Inspection and Emission services, call us at 510-284-0074 or request a quote by clicking below:
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What People Say About Us
I've been going to Autowise for years. The people who work there are friendly and professional. Right now my family owns and maintains 5 cars. Autowise services all of them, and I have never been stuck by the side of the road in any of them because they do such good work. That is very important to me, especially when my children are behind the wheel. As far as price goes...cars are not cheap to maintain! I would recommend that you shop around. You might find a better price, but remember the old saying...You get what you pay for!
Professional & experienced staff!!
I take my two cars to them, I always had good experience with them. They identified the issue and proposed the fix, estimation and upon approval they did the fix. It worked great. I feel , they are honest hard working and only recommends what needs to be changed to keep the car in good condition. The quotes are reasonable This makes me trust them.
The shop is a great shop they have excellent mechanics that really know your car inside and out there little spendy but I recommend them!
The folks at AutoWise are terrific! They diagnose problems brilliantly, repair what needs to be done, but don?t ?push? to have unnecessary work done. They can take you home so you don?t have to wait there. All work on my 2003 Saturn Vue has been done by AutoWise and my old SUV runs well! Estimates on work are accurate and work is done in a timely manner. Because it is a family business, clients are always treated with courtesy and warmth. I highly recommend AutoWise and wouldn?t go anywhere else!
Good people and great service. My wife and I have been bringing our cars here for years. Mike and Laurie are a pleasure to deal with.