California Auto Laws?

[MichiganAve]

Hey, I may be moving to California in a year. Before I go spending money on upgrades that I can't have there, what are some of the worries for us? On my 98 QX4 I have a custom dual exhaust, JWT pop charger, 5% limo tint all around, 31s, and modified electrical system for stereo, floods, and in-dash laptop. I am hoping to get the 4.5" lift and 33s if that ever gets built.

 

Thanks!

[XPLORx4]

The only thing that you might get grief from is your limo tint. In CA, you can't legally have any tint on the windshield or front windows. You might not get caught right away, as there are lots of cars with illegal tint out here, but if you happen to get pulled over for anything, your tint will likely earn you an extra fix-it citation.

 

The rest seems fine, although be cautious about what you leave plainly visible (i.e. laptop) in the car if you don't want it stolen.

[OR99.5Speed]

Is the JWT Pop-Charger CARB legal? Don't you fail emissions if your mods aren't CARB legal?

[FUELER]

make sure your car can pass smog, i was stopped by chp at a roadside smog checkpoint last week where they did a quick tail pipe sniff test, mine passed but i saw them towing a couple of cars that didn't pass!

 

 

and yes you need CARB stickers on anything aftermarket, related to emissions...

Edited March 28, 2006 by FUELER

[mws]

Is it a true dual exhaust, or just dual tailpipes? Dual tailpipes are generally OK, tampering with OE cat converter and 02 sensors configuration can lead to hassles.

 

As stated, no limo tint on windows in front of B-pillar (windshield and front door windows).

 

If dirt passer, err, pop charger does not have CARB exemption number, you will need to put stock airbox in when having it tested.

 

The law in CA requires you to pass two independent tests:

1) A tailpipe sniffer test (simple idle and 2500 rpm test in some areas, rolling test on dyno in areas with serious smog issues).

2) AND a visual test. Everything deemed pollution emission related must be exactly as it left factory, or CARB approved. Even if your modifications result in reduced emissions, they are illegal if they do not have a CARB exemption.

[Slick]

i live in CA and as long as things like your headers (i have thorleys) have an EO number on them you are fine. or can prove they are legal in CA. believe me.. they DO check.... not quite sure what a "pop charger" is or what it does.. but it doesn't sound too CA friendly.. lol...

you will also need a catalytic converter. if you took the stock one out.

my 92 pathy is smog test onyl so mine gets gone over with a fine tooth comb.

the limo tint is fine, but as stated above, if you have the driver & pass windows tinted you may get "unwanted attention" from the cops. they usually have better things to do around here than pull every car/truck that goes by with tinted front windows, and believe me.. it's the majority. at night what my friends do is just drive with their windows half down.... seems to work. they both have blacked out front windows and have never got a fix it ticket.

Edited March 28, 2006 by Slick

[XPLORx4]

If you have a JWT Pop Charger, it is CARB-approved. There is a CARB E.O. sticker you can get for free from JWT, and you should stick it to the underside of your hood, near the emissions vacuum line diagram, or anyplace it will be obvious to a SMOG technician.

 

Just contact JWT to get it.

 

*CARB=California Air Resources Board

[FUELER]

my QX4 and my civic

 

having done about 175,000 driving miles in CA with tinted front windows like this, i've never actually been pulled over for it but i have received tint tickets after being pulled over for other violations.

 

for example I once ran a stop sign and cop was watching, i was very nice to him and he was nice in return, i got a tint ticket and just a warning on the stop.

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures removed by Moderator. Please resize your images to 640x480 or smaller before posting.

Edited March 29, 2006 by vengeful

[Slick]

fueler.. PLEASE... if you INSIST on posting, and reposting a pic of your truck.. PULEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE resize it.. it is HUGE.

[mws]

my QX4 and my civic

 

having done about 175,000 driving miles in CA with tinted front windows like this,    i've never actually been pulled over for it but i have received tint tickets after being pulled over for other violations.

 

for example  I once ran a stop sign and cop was watching,  i was very nice to him and he was nice in return,    i got a tint ticket and just a warning on the stop.

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures removed by Moderator.  Please resize your images to 640x480 or smaller before posting.

Another tip with tinted windows: Roll them down if you get pulled over!

 

Smart cops fear getting shot. Statistically, walking up to a car they just pulled over is one of the most dangerous things they do. Many cases of them getting shot doing so.

Sooooo.. the smart ones walk up very cautiously and are looking for suspicious things - like drivers or passengers with guns in their hands or laps.

 

If you have dark tinted windows, the officer can't see, and that makes them nervous. Making them nervous makes you more likely to fail the "attitude" test.

 

If you've never been a friend of an officer and learned the tricks from them, here's rule #1:

Failing the attitude test pretty much guarantees you will get the ticket you deserve.

Passing the attitude test makes you MUCH, MUCH more likely to get a warning (unless they have a really tough quota to meet that day).

 

So, roll down the windows so they can see in, and have all your passengers leave their hands out in plain sight. Leave your hands at the top of the steering wheel so they can be seen.

Edited March 29, 2006 by mws