Every vehicle’s engine contains a series of vacuum hoses, which it uses to control everything from your brakes to your emissions. Without these vacuum hoses, your vehicle not only couldn’t run efficiently; it couldn’t run at all. That’s why a single air leak can spell trouble for your vehicle. If you suspect that there is a leak in your engine, take your vehicle to a Sacramento auto shop to have a professional car diagnostic performed. Here is a quick guide to how a simple smoke test can tell you whether there is a leak in one of your engine’s vacuum hoses. 
Why air leaks are dangerous. In most contexts, air leaks may be irritating, but not hazardous. In the case of a vacuum hose, an air leak can hurt the performance of your engine. It can even trigger other issues inside your engine, resulting in potential damage. A vehicle with a malfunctioning engine is unsafe to drive. That’s why it’s so important that you get your engine checked as soon as you have cause to suspect that there may be an issue.
How to tell if you have an air leak. Most of the time, an air leak in one of your vacuum hoses will cause the red warning light on your dashboard to light up. However, you should also be alert to any reduction in fuel efficiency, which may suggest an air leak. You might also listen for any strange noises coming from under your hood. If you’re in doubt, have your engine professionally inspected.
How a smoke test can reveal an air leak. A professional at an auto shop can determine whether or not there is an air leak in one of your hoses using a smoke test. In this test, a special smoke machine is used to send white smoke through your vacuum hoses. If there is a leak anywhere, the smoke will seep out through it. The smoke is controlled by a regulator that ensures that the level of smoke isn’t high enough to do any damage to your engine.