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Agree with M3Mictch about warming the engine up. It also sounds like your driving is limited and it is mostly city driving. I would suggest getting some highway time on the engine prior to the test. That can make a difference also.
Midas in 2006 told me to take the car on the highway prior to the test and that's just what i did but it still didn't pass. then i took it to Joe Torre (who claimed Midas doesn't know what they're doing) and he got it to pass for me. And at that time the car badly needed a tune up but it still passed
to this day i always tell Joe Torre that I use Midas only because i have parts covered under warranty
Even though your oil only has 600 miles on it, changing it just before the test will help you pass. How much it will help and if you need that help or not I can't say from here.
IMHO Joe Torre is right about Midas.
If the car needs/needed tuning, you definitely should do that before testing, you lose money driving a car that needs tuning.
Another tuneup item that you might want to have Joe Torre look at is your fuel filter. You really ought to put on a new high-quality fuel filter about every 30K miles.
Both our Toyota and Subaru picked up 1-2 MPG with a fresh fuel filter, the ones I replaced were probably overdue but were on the cars when I bought them, so not certain when they were last done.
A clogged fuel filter increases the amp draw of your fuel pump, shortening it's service life.
You know, you may think I'm nuts to suggest changing 600-mile old oil, but if you drive strictly short trips it may be fairly fuel contaminated. If you pull the dipstick and get a drop of oil on your finger, smell it, you can smell fuel contamination, the oil will smell of gasoline. If it's fuel contaminated changing at least the oil if not the filter too can help you pass.
That CRC "snake oil" I have heard helps too. I have not tried it, we don't SMOG around here.
he was too busy. this waiting is driving me up the wall. but this guy is the primo mechanic so it pays to wait (same happened last year had to wait at least 2 days), Midas certainly cannot pass this car, he told me it expires 10/4 so it's not "urgent", well maybe not for him but i'm the tense type who can't wait
he was too busy. this waiting is driving me up the wall. but this guy is the primo mechanic so it pays to wait (same happened last year had to wait at least 2 days), Midas certainly cannot pass this car, he told me it expires 10/4 so it's not "urgent", well maybe not for him but i'm the tense type who can't wait
well, i'm not going to argue with a pro...
Definitely cultivate this guy. Bring over some donuts or good ground coffee.
Don't let the fact that Midas can't do it bug you. Joe Torre has not failed yet.
to have me leave the car overnight in which case he said he could definitely do it but it would be too inconvenient and a hassle for me back and forth to the office
i'll try again tomorrow
I only like Midas because i get lifetime waranteed parts at no charge and only pay labor and keep going back for waranteed brakes, muffler, shocks, struts, when they go bad
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