Guide to Smog Repairs

Tune In & Tune Up – Frequently Asked Questions

When should I arrive at the event?

Testing starts by 8:00 a.m. and we usually open the gates around 6:30 a.m.
We recommend getting in line early.

Will I receive a smog certificate if my car passes?

No,  we’re not able to issue official smog certificates for cars that pass our emissions test. However, if your car fails the emissions test,  you will get a voucher for up to $500 in free smog repairs.

My check engine light on.  Will I automatically qualify for a voucher?

No, it needs to fail an emissions test or have an emission related DTC stored in the vehicles memory. There are many reasons why a car doesn’t meet smog requirements. Unfortunately, the $500 vouchers can only go toward emissions-related repairs. That’s why we do a tailpipe emissions test and OBD scan, but a smog shop has many other factors they’re looking at. The only way to know for sure if you qualify is to bring your failed Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) or have your car tested at the event.

If I can’t make it to the event, can I have someone else bring my car for me?

Sure! If a family member or friend needs to drive the car to the event, that’s no problem. Our staff will use the vehicle registration paperwork to gather information including the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).  If your car fails the emissions test, the smog shop double-checks the VIN listed on the voucher when it goes in for repairs.

What information do I need to bring?

We don’t require that you share any paperwork to receive a repair voucher.  However, it is very helpful if you’re able to share any vehicle paperwork you may have, including your vehicle registration and a Vehicle Inspection Report from a smog shop.

When is Tune In & Tune Up coming to my town?

We have events approximately every other week throughout the San Joaquin Valley. You can check our event schedule here or follow us on Facebook.com/valleycleanairnow or Twitter.com/ValleyCAN to stay up to date.

Can I attend Tune In & Tune Up if I live in a different city?

The Tune In & Tune Up program is open to all San Joaquin Valley residents. We cover all of San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Tulare, Fresno, and Kings Counties, as well as the valley portion of Kern County. If you live in one of those counties and you’ve owned your car at least six months, you can attend any one of our events to see if your car needs emissions repairs and potentially receive a $500 voucher to get it fixed.

Where is the smog repair voucher accepted?

The smog shops we work with will be listed on your voucher. Additionally, we will help you schedule your appointment before you leave the event.

Can I tow my car to the event?

Yes, we understand that this may be necessary. Keep in mind that the car has to be able to start and run in order to test it, and the voucher can only cover emissions-related repairs. If your car can’t perform the test, the only way to still get a voucher is if you bring a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) from a smog shop that shows an emissions failure within the past three months.

Are there any vehicles you can’t test? What about my bus?

Only gasoline-powered light- or medium-duty vehicles (weighing less than 14,000 pounds) qualify for this program.

What if my vehicle is not insured?

While it isn’t legal to drive an uninsured vehicle on public roads, if you get your car to the event, we will test it. We also recommend visiting www.mylowcostauto.com for information about low-cost insurance programs sponsored by California’s Department of Insurance.

If my car was fixed through Tune In & Tune Up before, can I bring it again if it needs more repairs?

If you have redeemed a voucher for repairs within the last 12 months, unfortunately you cannot qualify for another voucher for the same car. If it’s been more than a year or if you have a different car that needs repairs, bring it to a Tune In & Tune Up event. We love our repeat participants!

Am I allowed to bring multiple vehicles to the same event?

Sure! Bring a family member or friend and come to Tune In & Tune Up together!

What time does the event end?

Our event is scheduled from 8 a.m. until noon, but it is first-come-first-served. It’s hard to say what time we reach capacity, but our staff will continue testing all the cars in the staging area before noon. We typically start the event with over a hundred vehicles already lined up outside the gate.