Emissions Exemption

[Yblocker]

Finally got a bite on my craiglsit ad for my B4.
He wants to know why these cars are smog exempt in CA.
Do you guys know why this is?

 

[KLXD]

'98 Is the first year Diesels need a smog check in CA.

I fink maybe that's the first year of OBD-I?

 

[Yblocker]

I thought the '97 was OBDII(?)

 

[Steve Addy]

I also thought it was 96 was OBDD and that 97 was OBDII. I do remember that this is a real grey area in Cali for emissions issues. For some reason I thought there was some inconsistency between what the ECU's report and how Cali checks for readiness.

I also recall someone in Cali who had a 97 running 96 ECU or wiring or some such, and having problems at an emissions station. This thread is out there somewhere but I don't recall who the author was.

Steve

 

[KLXD]

Typo on my post but the law is '98.

Maybe some '97 vehicles were OBD-II but the Fed's didn't mandate it until "98???

 

[ToddA1]

I’m obviously not in CA, but in NJ ‘96 and earlier is exempt.

The law reads ‘97 and earlier is exempt in CA? I find that surprising, with CARB.

-Todd

 

[turbodieseldyke]

There is no reason, other than "that's what the law says."

 

[garciapiano]

All diesel powered vehicles model year 1997 and older are exempt from smog certification in California.