Arizona Emission Testing Locations
Emissions Testing & The Air Quality Check?
The reason that Emissions Testing is mandated by the state is for the health and safety of all Arizona residents. The Greater Phoenix Area and the Greater Tuscon Area’s have both continuously failed the average Ozone quality check each year.
As these two areas continue to grow in population there is an increase in traffic which means higher emissions from additional vehicles.
Older vehicles need more maintenance to stay in good working condition and if they are not they often produce more emissions which lowers the air quality and can be unhealthy for those with respiratory problems.
Why Is The Air Quality in Arizona So Bad & Is It a Health Concern?
Arizona as a whole state has actually received a good score in the Air Quality Check. The problem is that in highly populated cities like the Greater Phoenix Area and the Greater Tucson Area we continue to fail the air quality test.
The reasoning behind this isn’t all just because of vehicle emissions. Sure vehicles are part of the problem and that is why we test for vehicle emissions but any type of smoke from factories or even natural fires can hurt our air quality.
Sunshine and a high heat index mixed with some pollutants cause a chemical reaction which is how Smog is created. We already deal with some pretty high temperatures which are said to increase the speed at which these chemical reactions occur in the air. Once the pollutants begin to change they cause damage to the Ozone which is why it seems to get hotter each year.
Rain is said to push down and wash away air pollutants but it doesn’t rain very often in Arizona with it being a desert and all but when it does come we can enjoy knowing that it is washing away the pollutants in our air and we can breathe a little easier.
So, What Does It Have To Do With Our Health?
When the Air Quality is bad it’s a good idea to stay home and maybe change out your air filters. This is more important for people who deal with Asthma, Lung Disease, or any other breathing condition that people may have. Breathing heavily polluted air is bad for everyone but for people with lung issues it could be even worse. You can check the local weather to see what level the air quality is at each day if you are concerned but the best thing to do is to work to reduce pollutants so that we can all enjoy good quality air to breathe.
Beyond Emissions, Here Are Some Things You Can Do To Help.
There are many things we can do to help reduce air pollution. Weather.gov provided these helpful tips that every Arizona citizen can follow to help reduce the air pollution levels in your own city. Thank you for all of your efforts in improving the Air Quality of our great state.
- Eliminate tobacco smoke
- Reduce your use of wood stoves and fireplaces
- Don’t burn candles, leaves, garbage, plastic, or rubber
- Use HEPA air filters and air cleaners designed to reduce particles
- Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, bike or walk
- Keep the car, boat, and other engines tuned
- Inflate tires to the recommended pressure
- When refueling: stop when the pump shuts off, avoid spilling fuel, and tighten your gas cap
- Use low-VOC paint and cleaning products, and seal and store them so they can’t evaporate
- Choose energy-saving appliances
- Set thermostats higher in summer and lower in winter
- Turn off lights you are not using
What To Do If You Fail Your Emissions Test
As your vehicle gets older it is likely that at some point you may fail the Emissions test. Even if your vehicle is in great working order and you maintain it regularly. Things can still begin to deteriorate and you won’t always see a check engine light if there is a problem with your emissions. Sometimes you may have to get repairs made to your vehicle before you can retest and in some cases, these repairs can get pretty expensive.
Voluntary Vehicle Repair Program
If you need assistance getting the repairs completed for your vehicle after you have failed the Emissions test you can request help through the Voluntary Vehicle Repair Program. This program provides financial assistance for people that need help covering the cost of repairs but only after you have failed the Arizona Emissions Test.
You can receive up to $550 for a standard gasoline vehicle and up to $1000 for heavy-duty diesel vehicles that may need repairs to pass the retest. In most cases, the repairs do not tend to be very expensive but they must be completed at an ADEQ approved facility. Now not just anyone can be approved for this program so be sure to check to see if you qualify. Here are a few reasons why you would qualify for the program.
- Your vehicle has been registered in Maricopa or Pima County for at least the last 12 months and the registration has not lapsed by more than 60 days.
- Your automobile is at least 12 years of age or older.
- Your vehicle has failed the emissions test within 60 days before your registration expires.
- It is not a motor home, motorcycle, salvage vehicle, or a type of fleet vehicle.
- The emission control system has not been tampered with, removed, or disabled in any way.
- The owner has not participated in the program within the last 12 months.
What to expect when you come to test your vehicle emissions:
This website is not affiliated with either ADEQ or MyAZCar.com. It is simply an additional resource for people who are trying to find the station closest to them. Please use the MyAZCar.com site to double-check that your chosen location is still open before driving there.