Helpful articles about smog checks, California emissions rules, and how to keep your vehicle running clean. Written by the team at Simi Smog & Wash for drivers in Simi Valley and beyond.
Your DMV renewal says a STAR smog check is required — but why yours? Here's what a STAR check actually is, the real reasons your car got directed to one, and how it differs from a regular smog check.
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Thefts are climbing again in 2026 as precious-metal prices spike. Here's why it's rebounding, which cars get targeted, and simple, proven ways to protect yours — plus why a stolen converter means an automatic smog failure in California.
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The name on the sign matters less than one thing: whether the fuel is Top Tier. Here's what the research shows about detergents, engine deposits, and how gas quality affects your smog check.
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In a California private-party sale, the seller provides the smog certificate — but several exemptions change that. Here's the 2026 rule, the exceptions, and what happens if the car fails.
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Step-by-step CTC-VIS registration walkthrough for fleet owners and owner-operators. What CARB requires, how to pay the $32.13 annual fee, and how to avoid DMV registration holds in 2026.
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Federal emissions rules changed in 2025 — but California smog checks didn't. Here's what's actually different, and why your DMV renewal still requires an inspection.
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Simple things you can do in the days before your test that dramatically improve your odds of passing — most are free, all of them work.
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If your DMV renewal says "STAR station required," here's exactly what that means, why it happens, and what to do.
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A step-by-step guide to registering an out-of-state vehicle in California — including the smog check, DMV process, and timeline.
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