INSPECTIONS & EMISSIONS
Some states require regular safety inspections and/or emissions inspections on cars and trucks. At Northstar Automotive, we are well-equipped and trained to perform these inspections. Our technicians can also perform multi-point inspections on your vehicles as needed.
These are some of the inspection services we offer.
MI State Certified Emissions Repair Facility
A state certified emissions repair facility is a privately owned motor vehicle repair facility, licensed to repair emission-related failures. The repair facility must employ a CERT (Certified Emissions Repair Technician) who has passed a state-required training program. Northstar Automotive is a MI state certified emissions repair facility. Contact us at 231-864-3139 or visit us today for emission-related repairs and services.
Exhaust Questions and Answers
Q: What is a rough idle?
A: A rough idle describes a vehicle's engine with spark plugs that are not firing correctly when the vehicle is in park, with no gas applied. Most vehicles idle between 600 and 1,200 RPM and should hold their idle speed consistently.Q: Why is smoke coming out of my tailpipe?
A: The most common reason for thick smoke coming out of your car's exhaust pipe is the fuel to air ratio in your engine is too rich. This means that the fuel injectors are either adding too much fuel or that the intake valves aren't letting enough air in. This is caused by a cracked or leaking fuel injector, a failing O2 sensor, or air filter that needs replacing.Catalytic Converter Questions and Answers
Q: Can I drive with the catalytic converter light on?
A: A bad catalytic converter can increase your car's exhaust emissions, but it does not prevent you from driving. At Northstar Automotive we know this is true. A clogged catalytic converter will eventually affect the performance of your vehicle in Bear Lake, Manistee, Frankfort and Beulah. Exhaust gases will not escape easily and create an increase in exhaust gas pressure. The buildup in pressure can lead to high-cost repair bills in the future.Q: What can cause a catalytic converter light to come on?
A: A catalytic converter helps reduce harmful engine emissions from entering the air by breaking down the harmful byproduct of internal combustion into less-harmful compounds. If your catalytic converter isn't working properly the check engine light will come on. The most common causes for a catalytic convert warning light to display are a clogged, cracked or melted converter. Sometimes the problem isn't the catalytic converter at all but an exhaust leak letting gases out of the system before it reaches the converter.To learn more about our Inspection and Emission services, call us at 231-864-3139 or request a quote by clicking below:
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Reviews
Great overall experience. Clean, organized shop. Friendly. A wonderful, full service, small town business. Thanks so much for the fine and knowledgeable service on the 64 GTO. Nice to know real mechanics are still out there. Dian & Craig, 06/13/2023 |
Northstar Auto has never let me down. They identify your problems and don't sell you services that are not needed. They treat you more like family than just another customer. This trip my car windshield washer was not working. They quickly discovered that mice had made my car there home while I was in Florida. They chewed through the washer tube and had filled my filters full of seeds and nuts. They also noticed I needed my brake fluid changed. They repaired my windshield washer tube, replaced my filters, and replaced my old brake fluid. They provided me with transportation home while they did the brake fluid so I would not have to sit there all day. How many auto places do that for there customers? Northstar Auto is family owned and go above and beyond to get you back on the road. Bill Packer, 04/11/2023 |
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