Car emissions testing, or smog checking, is required in thirteen counties in Maryland and Baltimore. Rockville, MD, is in Montgomery County, and residents require a regular smog check to allow them to drive on the roads in the County. These tests are known as Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) tests. We'd like to tell you what an emissions test is and how you get one in the Rockville, MD area. What Is a VEIP Test? A VEIP test assesses the amount of pollution produced by your car. Since the 1970s, control of automobile air pollution has become very important. The catalytic converter in your car's exhaust is designed to remove over 99% of polluting and toxic emissions. It does this by converting dangerous chemicals into harmless ones. more There are three types of VEIP tests, the OBDII, the tailpipe, and the gas cap. Your car will only take one of these, as the different tests cover vehicle sizes and ages. You need to book a test with a VEIP-authorized center in Montgomery County. When Do You Need a Test? VEIP tests must be conducted every two years, and the test coincides with your vehicle registration renewal. New cars and hybrid cars only require their first test three years after first registration. Electric cars don't require a VEIP test as they don't produce any pollution. Requirements for the Test Once you've made your booking at a VEIP center, you'll need to bring your Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MMVA) emissions test notice, your car, and $14.00 on the day of the test. Which Test Do I Need? Your car will undergo one of the tests below. Once your car has passed the test, you'll receive a VEIP test certificate, and the results will be uploaded to the MMVA. OBDII This test applies to all car and light passenger vehicles manufactured since 1996. Your car's computer will be connected to the testing center's computer, which checks the emissions system on your car. Once the test concludes, their computer will generate a report. Tailpipe Test This test applies to cars and light passenger vehicles built between 1977 and 1995. This test requires you to drive your car at highway speed for twenty minutes to warm up the engine. This will reveal any holes or leaks in the exhaust pipe. Gas Cap Test This test also applies to cars and light passenger vehicles built between 1977 and 1995. It checks for leaks or damage to the gas cap or its seals. With everything you need to know about emissions tests, you can still count on us at DARCARS 355 Toyota of Rockville if you have any questions or need additional help! Just contact us today!
No matter how much we love our cars, there's always a time when we need to move on to better things. But selling a car in Maryland isn't always straightforward. There are a number of important factors and documents to consider, and as such, we've put together this quick guide to lead you through the most important steps. Get Your Car Inspected As a seller, it is your responsibility to ensure that the car is safe to drive. To prove this, you need to get your car inspected by a licensed Maryland inspection station. This can be a car dealer, a specialist service center, or even just a service station, as most of these will have the necessary license. Once your car has passed its inspection, you will receive a Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate, which is valid for up to 90 days. more Gather Vehicle Documentation Throughout the time you have had your car, it will have accumulated a lot of documents. These probably include not only the owner's manual but, if possible, all maintenance records for the vehicle. The buyer will be much more confident if they know the full history of the car. Your mechanic or dealership might have kept an electronic record if you can't find the paper copy. The most important document that you have to find, however, is the Certificate of Title, which proves that you are the car's rightful owner. If it's been lost or damaged, then a replacement can be acquired, for a small fee. Things are complicated however if you have a lien on the title, or in other words, have taken out a car loan to pay for the vehicle. In this case, you must either pay off the loan in full, or the lienholder must send you a letter of lien release. In the latter case, you must send a copy to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Transfer The Title When everything else is done, the buyer and seller must both fill out the appropriate sections on the back of the title form, including names, addresses, and signatures. The purchase price will need to be entered as well. From there, all that's left to be done is to cancel your insurance. You must remove your plates before handing the vehicle over, as you will be liable for any violations by the new owner. The MVA also insists that you return your plates to them before the insurance is canceled to avoid any car being driven uninsured. Gifting a Vehicle If you're looking to gift a vehicle to a relative, the process is much the same as above. The only differences are that there will be no sales tax incurred if there is no charge, but the new owner will still need to pay a title transfer fee. We hope this guide helps you in the process of selling your car. We have you covered if you're a Maryland resident looking for more beneficial auto-related content! Once you're ready to start shopping for an upgrade, check out our new Toyota specials at DARCARS 355 Toyota of Rockville today!
Your car's radiator keeps the engine running at the correct temperature and stops it from overheating. When the radiator doesn't work correctly, and you don't get it sorted out swiftly, it can lead to a costly radiator repair. Your Vehicle Will Overheat The primary function of your vehicle's radiator is to keep the engine cool. A good reason to get your car's radiator fixed is when you notice that the temperature gauge is in the red zone and is constantly overheating. This means your vehicle is too hot and will cause steam to billow out from under the hood. A faulty thermostat that doesn't open will likely cause the engine to overheat. more Leaking Coolant Coolant removes heat from the engine to stop your car from overheating. If you need to add coolant more frequently, or your dashboard coolant warning light is on, check for leaks. When you see a bright green, yellow, or red spot under your car, it means that either your radiator or a hose is likely leaking. Coolant runs between your radiator and your car's hot engine to keep the temperature down. This creates pressure. The hoses can come loose or degrade with time, leak, and will ultimately cause overheating. When you see coolant leaking, you need to get your car to a qualified technician to determine where the source of the leak is and to fix it as soon as possible. Impurities in the Coolant When coolant is discolored and has a brownish appearance, it means you have a contaminant build-up that will influence the radiator performance. This is commonly referred to as gunk or sludge. It's a thick jumble of debris that obstructs the flow and prevents the radiator from pumping the correct volume of coolant to the engine. If there is not enough coolant to lower the heat, the engine will get too hot. The leaking fluid will run out onto the hot parts and leave stains that will rust. Clogged Fins In order to work, radiators need airflow. The fins or tubes need to always be free of road dirt, bugs, and other objects to allow the air through freely when you drive. This is to lower the temperature of the coolant. Debris and hard objects such as stones flying through the air can also bend the fins. It will obstruct the airflow and prevent the coolant from cooling down and likely lead to an overheating engine. Malfunctioning Thermostat or Water Pump The thermostat and the water pump must work well for the coolant system to operate effectively. If the thermostat and the water pump do not work well, the radiator can not do its job. If the thermostat breaks, the system will not let fluid into the radiator. A broken water pump will prevent the system from getting enough pressure to circulate the coolant. Keeping your radiator in good condition is key to the overall performance of your car. Trust DARCARS 355 Toyota of Rockville for all of your auto service needs, including radiator repair. We have skilled technicians and advanced technology to ensure your vehicle's radiator is in excellent condition! Schedule a service or contact our repair center today if you have any questions!
