Question 1

What is the best way to find an auto shop near me?

Accepted Answer

Start with a list of every shop in your city rather than the first ad you see: AppointAuto lists over 500,000 auto service businesses in all 50 states and DC (smog check, tires, repair, oil change, body, car wash, detailing, glass, towing, parts), with phone numbers, websites and directions. In California, shops with an active Bureau of Automotive Repair license are listed first. Pick two or three, call for a quote, and check reviews on Google or Yelp before you go.

Question 2

Where can I get a smog check near me?

Accepted Answer

In California, any smog check station licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair can test your car, unless your DMV renewal notice says "Smog Certification Required at STAR Station". AppointAuto lists every licensed station by city, with phone numbers and directions, licensed stations first. Expect to pay the station's test price plus the $8.25 state certificate fee when the car passes.

Question 3

How long does a smog check take?

Accepted Answer

The test itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes for a gasoline car from model year 2000 or newer, because the station reads the on-board diagnostics (OBD) computer instead of measuring the tailpipe. Older cars get a tailpipe test and can take longer. Waiting time depends on the station: call ahead, or go early on a weekday.

Question 4

Do I need an appointment for a smog check, and are stations open on weekends?

Accepted Answer

Most smog check stations take walk-ins, and many are open on Saturday; fewer open on Sunday. Hours and wait times vary by station, so call before you go: AppointAuto lists each station's phone number, website and directions by city. Calling ahead also lets you confirm the total price and whether the certificate fee is included.

Question 5

How long is a California smog certificate valid?

Accepted Answer

A passing California smog certificate is valid for 90 days. Get the test within 90 days before you renew the registration or hand the car to a buyer. The station sends the result to the DMV electronically, so there is nothing to mail.

Question 6

Can I get a smog check if my registration is expired?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A smog check station can test a car whose registration has expired; the test is tied to the vehicle, not to current tags. Pay your renewal fees to the DMV as soon as you can, because late penalties grow over time, and if you have paid but still need the smog certificate, the DMV can issue a temporary operating permit for a fee. Driving on expired registration can get you a ticket.

Question 7

What does a smog check test, and why do cars fail?

Accepted Answer

A California smog check has three parts: a visual inspection of the emissions equipment, a functional check (check engine light, and the gas cap on some older cars), and either an OBD computer scan for gasoline cars from 2000 and newer or a tailpipe emissions test for older cars. The most common reasons to fail are a lit check engine light, readiness monitors that are not complete after a battery change or code clearing, and missing or modified emissions parts.

Question 8

Can I drive with a nail in my tire?

Accepted Answer

If the tire is still holding air, you can usually drive slowly and directly to a tire shop, but do not keep driving on it for days. Leave the nail in, because it partly seals the hole. If the tire is losing air fast or is flat, put on the spare or call for help: driving on a flat destroys the sidewall and makes a repairable tire unrepairable. A nail in the tread up to 1/4 inch can usually be fixed with a plug-and-patch; listed price on AppointAuto is $29.99.

Question 9

How much does it cost to fix a flat tire or patch a nail hole?

Accepted Answer

A proper puncture repair (tire removed from the wheel, plug-and-patch from inside, rebalanced) is listed at $29.99 on AppointAuto; each shop sets its own price, and some repair tires bought from them for free. If the hole is in the sidewall, the shoulder or larger than 1/4 inch, the tire cannot be repaired and must be replaced.

Question 10

How long do tires last?

Accepted Answer

Most tires wear out after several years of normal driving, depending on the tire's treadwear rating, your driving and how often you rotate them. Replace them earlier when the tread is low (2/32 inch is the common legal minimum in many states, while wet grip drops long before that) or when they are old: many tire and vehicle makers recommend replacing tires about 6 to 10 years after they were made, whatever the tread. The last four digits of the DOT code show the week and year of manufacture.

Question 11

Are used tires safe to buy?

Accepted Answer

A used tire can be a reasonable buy if you check it carefully: it should be less than about six years old by its DOT date code, have plenty of tread left (4/32 inch or more is a common floor for used tires), no repairs near the shoulder or sidewall, and no bulges, cracks or cords showing. You usually cannot know how it was driven or stored, so for the front axle or a car used on highways, new tires are the safer choice.

Question 12

How do I find an honest, trustworthy mechanic?

Accepted Answer

Look for a shop that is properly licensed (in California, every auto repair shop must be registered with the Bureau of Automotive Repair; check it on bar.ca.gov), gives you a written estimate before starting, asks before going over it, and will return your old parts. ASE-certified technicians and consistent recent reviews are good signs. AppointAuto lists repair shops by city with licensed shops first, so you can shortlist a few and compare quotes.

Question 13

What is the difference between a car wash and auto detailing?

Accepted Answer

A car wash is a quick exterior clean, automatic or by hand, sometimes with a basic interior vacuum. Auto detailing is a much more thorough, mostly hand-done service: interior shampoo and stain removal, leather care, clay bar, paint polishing and protective wax, sealant or ceramic coating. Choose a wash for regular upkeep and detailing before selling a car, after a messy season or once or twice a year.

Question 14

My car broke down. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

First get safe: pull as far off the road as you can, turn on the hazard lights and, on a highway, stay buckled in or stand well away from traffic. Then call your roadside assistance (often included with insurance, a credit card or the car warranty) or a local towing service. Before the truck arrives, decide where the car should go: a repair shop that can take it, not just the nearest lot, so you are not towed twice.

Question 15

How dark can window tint be in California?

Accepted Answer

In California the front side windows must let at least 70% of outside light through (with factory glass, that leaves room for only a light film), and the windshield may only have tint on the top 4 inches. Rear side windows and the rear window can be any darkness as long as the car has outside mirrors on both sides. Reflective or mirrored tint is not allowed. Medical exemptions exist with a doctor's note. Confirm current rules with the California Highway Patrol before you tint.

Question 16

Can a windshield chip be repaired, or do I need a new windshield?

Accepted Answer

A small chip (roughly the size of a quarter or smaller) or a short crack, away from the edge and outside the driver's direct line of sight, can usually be repaired with resin in under an hour. Long cracks, cracks reaching the edge, or damage right in front of the driver usually mean replacing the windshield. Repair it soon: temperature changes and bumps make chips spread. Many insurance policies with comprehensive coverage pay for chip repair.

Driver questions, answered

Finding a shop

Smog check

Tires

Car care