Here in California, biennial smog or emissions testing is required in order to renew registration. Biennial means that you need to have this testing done every two years. The reason behind smog testing is to ensure that every registered vehicle meets certain basic requirements when it comes to vehicle emissions. This is in an effort to protect our environment and reduce the volume of greenhouse gases that we release into our atmosphere.  Failing an emissions test can definitely be a shock, especially if you thought your vehicle was running fine. There are certain reasons why your vehicle may have failed emissions, and all will more than likely require a repair to fix. Let's look at some of the most common reasons why vehicles failed emissions testing:  Your check engine light is on - no car will pass emissions with a check engine light on. Depending on the reason for why the check engine light is on in the first place, you'll need to have the u ... read more

If you plan to take a trip to the beach, you may be tempted to drive on the sand. In California, there are only a handful of beaches you can drive on. But if you do choose to drive, make sure you take precautions not to get stuck in the sand. Trust us, it’s not fun getting stuck and you don’t want to have a tow truck pull you out. To avoid getting stuck in the sand at all, the obvious choice is to limit your driving and parking to the parking lots. Parking lots truly are your best choice for safety and not getting stuck in the sand. If, however, you decide to drive on a beach in your car, the number one rule is to stay on the hard-packed sand. The hard-packed sand is easiest to maneuver on and you should not have any problems.  If you have to drive in soft sand, DO NOT stop the car. Keep driving until you have gotten out of the soft sand and onto the hard packed sand. If you stop in the soft sand, you will lose your momentum and your traction, which will cause you t ... read more