INSPECTIONS & EMISSIONS

Some states require regular safety inspections and/or emissions inspections on cars and trucks. At Theel Auto, 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.

Emissions and Smog Testing
Read More About Our Emissions and Smog Testing

WI State Certified Emissions Test Facility
The State of Wisconsin requires most gas and diesel vehicles registered in eligible counties to pass a vehicle emissions test in order to obtain an original registration, and then again every two years during registration renewal. This kind of testing is administered through a network of privately owned (but certified) auto repair shops. Theel Auto is a WI state certified emissions test facility. At our auto repair shop, we can perform emissions testing on all eligible vehicles regardless of fuel type or model year. You can even renew your registration and receive your stickers on site. Visit our shop during business hours, no appointment is necessary.

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 Theel Auto we know this is true. A clogged catalytic converter will eventually affect the performance of your vehicle in Elkhart Lake, Glenbeulah, Plymouth and Kiel. 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.