Automotive Air Pollution

Most of today's motor vehicles run on hydrocarbon based fuels, which when burned, produce several poisonous by-products. Some of these pollutants are visible, some are invisible, some are odorless. Most of them, however, are very detrimental to our health.

• Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) When exposed to heat above 2,500 degrees F ( as in heavy engine load), nitrogen and oxygen combine to form several harmful oxides called NOx. NOx and hydrocarbons, in the presence of sunlight, combine to form photo-chemical smog and ground layer ozone. This causes the ugly brownish-yellow clouds seen in cities like Los Angeles and Sacramento on a hot summer day. This condition is both harmful to plants and animals, as well as people.
• Hydrocarbons (HC) Hydrocarbons coming from the the vehicle tailpipe are, for the most part, left over unburned fuel. HC will increase dramatically if the fuel mixture is too lean or too rich to support complete combustion, or when combustion does not occur at all as in a cylinder misfire. Gasoline evaporating from the fuel tank or carburetor is also a source of HC known as "evaporative emissions".
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and extremely deadly by-product of the combustion process. The richer the fuel mixture, the higher the CO readings. Today's air quality standards require CO readings of less than one percent.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) carbon dioxide is a combustion by-product formed by the oxidation of carbon monoxide in the catalytic converter.CO2 is relatively harmless and is also a good indicator of proper combustion efficiency.
• Oxygen (O2) The level of oxygen in the exhaust gas reading is an indicator of air to fuel ration leanness. Higher O2 tailpipe readings are directly proportional to leaner air to fuel ratio mixtures.

Dynamometer Uses:

• Enhanced Smog Testing
• Repairing Smog Failures
• Engine Performance
• Drive Train Evaluation
• Transmission Testing
• Fuel Efficiency Testing
• Cooling System Evaluation
• Air Conditioner Evaluation
• Brake System Evaluation
• Wheel Balance Evaluation
• Tire Condition Evaluation
• Cruise Control Testing
• On Board Diagnostics
• Road Testing Before Delivery

* Remember to use your smog equipment as an additional tool to generate income besides just doing smog checks. We recommend your diagnostic charge not be charges by the hour, but rather a set dollar amount.

Keys To Building A Profitable Smog Check Business:

• Prepare a sales plan for the business and employee goals.

• The business must advertise a smog "special" often. This is a frequently needed service by the local population. In other words, someone is always looking for a smog test.

• The business must have a customer follow up system.

• Equipment must be up to date and complete.

• The business should have an ongoing training program for employees.

• The business advertising must include service specials.

• A service bay management system should be in place.

• A service writer/manager is necessary.

• A service inspection form must be used on an work.

• Hours of operation for repairs and service must be adequate.

• The shop must know the difference between fix and repair.

• The shop must understand the concept of diagnosis Vs estimate

• The shop must know the difference between estimate Vs guesstimate

• Complaints must be handled with a goal of 100% satisfied customers.

• Advertising should be targeted for a five mile radius.

• Common auto repair parts must be in stock and /or available.

• Complete auto service and repair must be offered.

• Have a policy manual and job descriptions for all employees.

• A phone policy on estimates and selling must be established.

• Look at the smog check business as a separate profit center from your other profit centers like the car wash, towing or gasoline business.

• Analyze your smog tech's daily/weekly/monthly productivity rate percent.

• Analyze your service bays productivity rate percent frequently.

• Know your competition and stay competitive.

• Advertise for technicians even when you are not short handed (someday you will be).

• Build your credit card, commercial and personal base.

• Maintain a "We Want The Business Attitude".