Know the emissions and inspections standards in Utah? That’s great—but what if you ever move? Regulations vary from state to state, and even city to city, so it’s advisable to have an idea of where you stand. Take a look at the general emissions standards at a national level to find out just what kind of measures are being taken to go green. It all starts with regulating hydrocarbons, which are created when fuel doesn’t burn or partially burns. If that gets into the atmosphere and mixes with sunlight or nitrogen oxides, it becomes a big creator of ozone.

At the ground level, ozone mixes with other gases to create smog. It’s what causes air pollution and maybe those allergies. It can bring on asthma attacks, damage lungs when present in heavy quantities and some studies have even linked it to cancer. The most hydrocarbons your vehicle can release is 0.156 g/mi. If you have an ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV), your standard is 0.055 g/mi.

Dangerous Gases

Nitrogen oxide levels also have to be kept low. It’s formed via oxygen and nitrogen atoms mixing together in a high pressure environment—like your engine. Nitrogen oxides are the primary cause of “acid rain†and can also create ozone in certain atmospheres. You’re allowed 0.6 g/mi or 0.3 g/mi for a ULEV.

Then of course there’s carbon monoxide, which is invisible, odorless and deadly. The latter is because it decreases the amount of oxygen that gets to your brain. It can be created when fuel isn’t properly oxidized—that’s when it transforms into carbon monoxide and can kill in seconds. You’re restricted to less than 4.2 g/mi or 2.1 g/mi for a ULEV vehicle.

The Final Two

Carbon dioxide is the primary cause of greenhouses gases, and it’s what’s heating up the earth. It’s produced sometimes even when your car is in perfect working condition and all fuel is burned or oxidized. Simply put, carbon dioxide happens and there’s no way to really regulate or lower it. However, if there are other issues, you’ll likely fail from other gases and carbon dioxide will naturally get lower as repairs are made.

Finally, there are evaporation emissions. This is what transpires when fuel evaporates. This often happens on hot days when the gas in the tank gets warm. Gas vapors are released to reduce pressure, and that fuel is vaporized as you drive. Once you’ve been on the road awhile, the engine cools down as long as it’s working well. You have to stay under 2.0 g/test for one hour of a “hot soak.â€

These are just the national guidelines—you may be required to undergo even more testing. Routine maintenance can help your vehicle pass, but make sure you also keep up to date on what’s required for an A+.

Even if you drive a classic car, government agencies are requiring Utah residents to take some measures to lower pollutant emissions. There are certain standards that vehicles need to clear in order to get that required certificate—and get your DMV sticker renewed. Whether or not your car passes is largely in your hands. Sometimes all it takes is a quick tune-up to get a car up to snuff. Other times, you might be facing a major overhaul.

Knowing the most common causes for emissions failure is critical. A common issue is your fuel metering not matching specifications. It might be a faulty fuel injection unit, problems with the carburetor or an issue with a computerized engine control system. These fixes might be fast and cheap, so don’t get frustrated if your vehicle doesn’t pass the first time. Instead, focus on getting it repaired.

Common Concerns

A bad oxygen sensor can also lead to an automatic failure. This device measures how much oxygen is in the exhaust gas, but if it’s not working correctly it will make your vehicle fail emissions. This is a relatively common problem that can be caused by high toxic emissions or even routine overheating. A mechanic can get to the core of the problem and find that it might be something as minor as needing new antifreeze to get the oxygen sensor back on track.

You might also be facing a faulty ignition system. An analyzer during emissions testing can pick up on high levels of hydrocarbons. This can happen if a car isn’t regularly maintained. Spark plugs that have gone bad or are worn out, ignition timing that’s too high or an outdated distributor cap can all lead to faulty ignition systems, but they’re all cheap, quick fixes.

Digging Deeper

If you have a leak in the car’s vacuum, that’s another automatic failure. This often happens when the MAP sensor isn’t working, which measures internal combustion load in the engine’s electronic system. Leaks are often found in the vacuum lines or in the gaskets. A patch can get you a passing grade and back on the road.

Other times, it might be (too) rich fuel mixture that’s giving you problems. If there are high levels of CO₂ from a weak ignition or a rich fuel mixture, that’s certainly not environmentally friendly. You may be dealing with leaky injectors, a contaminated oxygen sensor or a fuel pressure that’s a bit too high.

Second Chances

Luckily for Utah residents, there are shops that offer auto maintenance and repairs along with emissions testing. It’s like one stop shopping for your biggest DMV needs. Not all fixes are going to be available here, but it’s a great place to start and may provide you with peace of mind by telling you exactly what’s wrong. Maybe you won’t have to sell that old collector car after all. A little TLC can make a world of difference and help you pass with flying colors.