BAR

A catalytic converter is a valuable and integral part of your vehicle’s emissions control system that converts smog-causing pollutants into less harmful compounds to help keep our air clean. But thieves find catalytic converters valuable for an entirely different reason. Why do thieves target catalytic converters? Because of the valuable…

  Voluntary surveys play a key role in California’s success toward meeting vehicle emissions reduction standards A simulated roadside vehicle emissions survey may be coming to a street near you. At first glance, they might look like DUI checkpoints, but they have a much different purpose and there are no…

Make a difference for your vehicle, your wallet, and even your life When was the last time you checked your tires? If you can’t remember, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has many reasons why you should make regular tire care a priority, including: Saving money—Properly inflating your tires…

Free app alerts you if your car—or even parts of your car—has recalls issued A quarter of vehicles currently on the road have an unrepaired recall, putting drivers, passengers, and even those around them at risk. That’s why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created the SaferCar app. This…

Licensed repair professionals can help keep your older car safe Birthdays are causes for celebration: another year in the rear-view mirror, but a new one just around the corner. Those annual recognitions go for your car, too, and added years mean added cause to make sure your vehicle’s running smoothly,…

Wear one and keep your car in safe shape with help from licensed professionals For most of us, it’s automatic: You get in your car, reach your hand over your shoulder, pull the seat belt down, and lock it in. But for some Americans, that’s still not happening, and too…

Article authored by Matt Woodcheke, Consumer Connection staff Question: My car needs expensive repairs to pass Smog Check and I don’t know if I should put money into it or cut my losses. What do you recommend? Answer: The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s (BAR) Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) offers a…

Regulation and oversight help keep consumers—and their cars—safe Having car trouble is trouble enough; getting it fixed shouldn’t be. That’s because, decades ago, California enacted robust car-repair legislation to protect you and your vehicle—protection that continues strong today. FIXING PAST PRACTICES In the early and mid-20th century, if you had…

When it comes to authorizing work to be done on a vehicle, new regulations adopted by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) will allow automotive repair dealers to provide their customers with more ways to say “go.” BAR’s new electronic regulations allow consumers to authorize work to be done on…