Events Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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, you will not receive a smog certificate at our event. However, if your car fails the emissions test, you will get a voucher for up to $500 dollars for emissions related repairs.

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

No, it needs to fail an emissions test or have program approved emission related DTC stored in the vehicle’s memory. The $500 vouchers can only go towards program approved emissions-related repairs. That’s why we do a tailpipe emissions test and an OBD II scan, but there are many other aspects to an official smog check inspection.

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?

The following information is needed to participate.

• Name, address, and phone number.
• The vehicle identification number (VIN) from the participating vehicle.
• The vehicle needs to be present at the event.

*Providing your driver’s license, and vehicle registration can speed up our process during the event.

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, you can attend any one of our events to see if your car needs emissions related repairs and potentially receive a $500 voucher to get it fixed.

Where is the smog repair voucher accepted?

The participating STAR test-and-repair stations 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 if your car is registered as a PNO, or your tags are expired. Keep in mind that the car must be able to start and run to be tested.  The voucher can only cover program approved emissions-related repairs.

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 is not legal to drive an uninsured vehicle on public roads, if you take 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, your vehicle will not qualify for another voucher. Example a vehicle voucher with repaired date on 01/01/2020, will be illegible again on 01/02/2021.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 will reach our full capacity, but our staff will continue to test all the cars in the staging area that arrive before noon. We typically start the event with over a hundred vehicles already lined up outside the gate.