California smog check will now look for modified ECU software
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From: cali-hawaii
2020 e63s wagon
California smog check will now look for modified ECU software
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If I recall right, the CA DMV requires smog inspections on cars once they are ~4 years old, then every other year after that.
Seems like I'm always at the shop getting one vehicle or another checked, including my old F-250 diesel, which didn't have to be smogged when I first bought it but California added the requirement later.
I have monitor that displays exhaust gas temperature, trans temperature, and boost. It isn't a tuner, but the first year I had to bring it in to be checked they threw up on it and failed me because they thought it was an illegal mod. I had to break out the manual and show them that it is just a monitor. I got it because I was doing a lot of towing with a heavy toy hauler up the CA mountains and wanted to make sure I wasn't cooking the motor.
Some of the tuners claim to not leave any traces, so it will be interesting to know how the smog shops will catch the tunes when the tuners claim the dealer can't easily detect it.
Seems like I'm always at the shop getting one vehicle or another checked, including my old F-250 diesel, which didn't have to be smogged when I first bought it but California added the requirement later.
I have monitor that displays exhaust gas temperature, trans temperature, and boost. It isn't a tuner, but the first year I had to bring it in to be checked they threw up on it and failed me because they thought it was an illegal mod. I had to break out the manual and show them that it is just a monitor. I got it because I was doing a lot of towing with a heavy toy hauler up the CA mountains and wanted to make sure I wasn't cooking the motor.
Some of the tuners claim to not leave any traces, so it will be interesting to know how the smog shops will catch the tunes when the tuners claim the dealer can't easily detect it.
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I've seen those claims that they leave no traces. They never actually back those claims up in writing though. IE, if your warranty is voided we will take the warranty repairs over.
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In California all cars newer than 1975 require a smog check every two years as part of the tag renewal. For cars purchased new in California the first inspection is waived so the first test will be when the car is 4 years old. Any car brought into California requires a smog check for registration and every second year after that.
The test software used by the local smog test stations is not as capable as a dealer Star diagnostic system. It will be interesting to see how these local stations detect modified software.
The test software used by the local smog test stations is not as capable as a dealer Star diagnostic system. It will be interesting to see how these local stations detect modified software.
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Are we mixing dealer’s capability in detection of the SW tunes with smog station test?
smog station has no capability of testing the tunes. They simply stick probe in the exhaust pipe to test emissions.
There could be example of sw tune not detectable by dealer and therefore no issues with the warranty.
however, if emissions are too high due to the SW tune it will fail the smog test.
in this case one has perfect car covered by the warranty that cannot be operated in the great state of CA because it failed the smog test.
makes sense?
smog station has no capability of testing the tunes. They simply stick probe in the exhaust pipe to test emissions.
There could be example of sw tune not detectable by dealer and therefore no issues with the warranty.
however, if emissions are too high due to the SW tune it will fail the smog test.
in this case one has perfect car covered by the warranty that cannot be operated in the great state of CA because it failed the smog test.
makes sense?
Last edited by 6G Schnell; Jul 16, 2021 at 04:59 PM. Reason: Typo
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California does not do tailpipe proctology these days. In addition to visual, the test station connects a fairly advanced computer system to the OBD2 port. This system then automatically uploads the test results to the CaDMV.
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In principle that is true, but in practice it can be more complicated. The law does address caps on the total amount that can be spent to bring a car into compliance, as well as a retest and approval to register the car after repairs up to the maximum amount have been completed. There are also requirements in the law that manufacturers must warrant certain key emissions components for 100,000 miles, but good luck collecting on that from a dealer. If a car has been modified then there is no repair dollar limit to bring the car back into compliance.
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Surprise surprise, they have been "looking" for MANY years...they just haven't done anything about it (it was a data collection/survey effort only). I am sort or surprised they waited so long to take action....
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