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Free smog tests at COS
By Greg Ubbelohde/Staff Writer - Visalia Times Delta
October 21, 2006
Valley residents wondering if their cars satisfy state smog standards can come to the College of the Sequoias and have their car tested for free.
The nonprofit group Valley Clean Air Now is sponsoring testing to get residents to clean up their vehicles, said Cristina Guccione, Valley CAN outreach coordinator.
"We want to try to fix the dirty cars and the air in San Joaquin Valley," Guccione said.
All residents need to do is show up with their car and drive past the remote-sensing device that checks the chemicals coming out of the tail pipe. It gives a reading in about five seconds, Guccione said.
If cars fail, drivers get a coupon good for $500 off smog-related repairs at California Smog and Discount Muffler, 1000 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia. COS students have set up a diagnostic lab to give people some ideas as to what may be causing their car's bad emissions, Guccione said.
The California Bureau of Automotive repair will be handing out applications to see if residents qualify for their emissions-related repair assistance. BAR also gives qualifying drivers $1,000 to retire a high-polluting vehicle, Guccione said.
Valley CAN will also have free food and beverages at the test site.
Anyone is welcome, regardless of vehicle ownership.
The reporter can be reached at gubbeloh@visalia.gannett.com
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