I hadn't heard about this elsewhere, but it could be problematic for some of us in CA if I'm interpreting this correctly. The gist is that the CA BAR states that effective July 19, 2021 cars with "illegally modified software" (still not clear on exactly what that means) will fail to pass their smog inspection. There's no mention of this date nor requirement in their FAQ.

Originally posted here: https://sprinter-source.com/forums/i...hreads/100529/

And the CA BAR FAQ: https://bar.ca.gov/Consumer/Smog_Check_Program/FAQ

I'll play it safe and get mine done this week for my August renewal, but two years from now I might be screwed.
Anyone in the industry have more details?

 

I wonder what illegally modified software means, it is legal to change the software as California certifies software, like Wiestec has software for their blower kit that is Carb certified, so are they just saying software that is not carb certified (like Eurocharged) or are they saying like software with monitors turned off or something to bypass emissions.

 

A _little_ more info here: https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/BAG/20210...d_Software.pdf

 

"A vehicle’s software is considered part of its emissions control system, therefore cannot be modified"
Talk about overreach...

 

Yes, this was reported in the news a little while ago. They are cracking down on software tunes etc. Cars with a software tune will no longer pass smog in California and it's not just California. The EPA is cracking down as well, but the EPA for now is going directly after the tuners and levying hefty penalties on them for selling software and parts that alter the performance of a vehicle and therefore its emissions. They are also obtaining customer lists as part of the proceedings, so they know who bought these parts.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/202...-device-makers

 

This is why you splurge on a handheld. Tune off, inspect, tune back on.

 

Exactly, flash back to stock map for smog inspection.
I couldn’t run my V7 tune for smog inspection since it left the o2 monitors off, you need them to complete.

 

Rather than buying the handheld (yet), I bought two years by getting the smog check today. The dudes at the shop were only notified of this yesterday themselves (allegedly) and assume they're going to have a lot of upset customers. They think this is a bigger deal for the diesel truck folks who go to great lengths to bypass as much of the smog control as possible.
I'll save my money for a real tune (the one I have is mediocre) and handheld before the next test is due.

 

Emission laws are in a perpetual state of flux and will likely grow increasingly stringent with EV and Charging rollout, especially in California.

Would not wait too long to purchase Handheld, before even that option is no longer available.