California Emissions - should I avoid it?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 40
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From: Western Slope, CO
California Emissions - should I avoid it?
Hello FTE's - a noobie here, that just recently found this great site. Lots of great info!
I'm near finalization of purchasing an F350. I have residence in California and Colorado. I understand that there's a 49-state emissions and a California emissions. Evidently there's no hi-altitude emissions, correct?
Should I take the trip to CO to avoid the CA emissions? Any good/bad experiences? How about future upgrades? Does it apply to both the PSD and the gas engine?
Many thanks all.
I'm near finalization of purchasing an F350. I have residence in California and Colorado. I understand that there's a 49-state emissions and a California emissions. Evidently there's no hi-altitude emissions, correct?
Should I take the trip to CO to avoid the CA emissions? Any good/bad experiences? How about future upgrades? Does it apply to both the PSD and the gas engine?
Many thanks all.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
Likes: 1
From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
Like you think you have a choice? Colorado probably won't care, but if you get caught in California (very easy to do if you have a California driver's licence, or one of your neighbors turns you in- the usual way this goes down), they will:
1) impound the truck, force you to post a bond to get it out of impound. you get the bond back when the truck leaves the state- permanently.
2) Get fined severely by two authorities, CARB and Department of Revenue
The only way to sidestep CARB is to buy one with more than 7500 miles on it that's been in service longer than 6 months.
It ain't worth it- don't even think about it.
1) impound the truck, force you to post a bond to get it out of impound. you get the bond back when the truck leaves the state- permanently.
2) Get fined severely by two authorities, CARB and Department of Revenue
The only way to sidestep CARB is to buy one with more than 7500 miles on it that's been in service longer than 6 months.
It ain't worth it- don't even think about it.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 722
Likes: 22
From: New Orleans to San Diego
I'm kinda in the same boat as i drift from Louisiana to san diego.
I bought my truck in New Orleans and had it serviced in cali where they reflashed it.
It turns out that the cali flash detunes the heck out of the 6.0 to make less emissions.
I drove it that way for about 6 months and eventually had it reflashed in Florida and WOW what a difference.
Not sure if you have a 6.0 or gasser but either way i would dance around it as long as possible(ie, avoiding the c.a.r.b. controls) as you and your truck will not be happy if you make it cali complient.
Oh, i have liscences from both states but only tags in one.
I bought my truck in New Orleans and had it serviced in cali where they reflashed it.
It turns out that the cali flash detunes the heck out of the 6.0 to make less emissions.
I drove it that way for about 6 months and eventually had it reflashed in Florida and WOW what a difference.
Not sure if you have a 6.0 or gasser but either way i would dance around it as long as possible(ie, avoiding the c.a.r.b. controls) as you and your truck will not be happy if you make it cali complient.
Oh, i have liscences from both states but only tags in one.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Western Slope, CO
To clarify - The truck will be used in CO, not CA. I'm really trying to decide if I should buy the truck here in CA (with 30-day tags) and tow my rig up there, or buy it in CO, drive back to CA, pick up my rig and tow it back. Is it worth it to avoid CA emissions? I believe it's more than just a flash - or am I mistaken?
Make sense?
Make sense?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
What is it about CA emissions you're so afraid of? They haven't used extra pollution gear since 1996, and you actually get a better emissions warranty on a Ford equipped with CA emissions.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 40
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From: Western Slope, CO
1956MarkII - What am I afraid of? Well - you answered part of it. I wanted to know if there was extra gear for CA. Glad to hear there isn't. Didn't know about the warranty either. Thanks!
But I've tried to be a good member and search first. I came across what seems like a lot of "issues" (power loss, lower mileage) wrt CA emission trucks. How much of that is the noisy few or is it a broad problem?
But I've tried to be a good member and search first. I came across what seems like a lot of "issues" (power loss, lower mileage) wrt CA emission trucks. How much of that is the noisy few or is it a broad problem?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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?? im confused, are you talking about a diesel SD or a gas? because from what i've read and been told by various dealers is in california you dont need to smog diesel vehicles.. which in my way of thinking means they're exempt from smog laws right?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Medford USA!
My 2000 has CA emissions, even though I live in Oregon. The dealer told me the emissions are the same, BUT, I think when guys put headers on these V10's, the CA emission trucks have an extra port on the exhaust system header or piping for some sort of sensor or tubing. Wish I could remember for sure. I guess the million dollar question is:"What motor are you buying?".
Also, why buy in CA and pay the sales tax? Does Colorado have a sales tax too? Are they at the same rate? Can you have the truck delivered to Nevada or Oregon and avoid the sales tax? Then, drive it home from there.
Also, why buy in CA and pay the sales tax? Does Colorado have a sales tax too? Are they at the same rate? Can you have the truck delivered to Nevada or Oregon and avoid the sales tax? Then, drive it home from there.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 722
Likes: 22
From: New Orleans to San Diego
The guys with diesel's registered in CA were sent letters from the state about having to have the truck re-flashed in order to re-register the truck.
That means that at the least CA has a stricter emissions program and Ford had to reflash for that state.
When mine was in for service they flashed my 49 state PCM with it and it wasn't nearly as peppy afterward.
That means that at the least CA has a stricter emissions program and Ford had to reflash for that state.
When mine was in for service they flashed my 49 state PCM with it and it wasn't nearly as peppy afterward.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Western Slope, CO
I'm probably getting the PDS. I live in CA now, and I can't get a straight answer on smog for diesels. It's not so much of an issue for me since we're moving out of state.
I do seem to remember though from the FAQ that even the diesel has a 49-state version and a CA version. Thus my original question.
Thanks for all the input folks. Great forum!
I do seem to remember though from the FAQ that even the diesel has a 49-state version and a CA version. Thus my original question.
Thanks for all the input folks. Great forum!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 8
From: OK
Originally Posted by Outpost22
I think when guys put headers on these V10's, the CA emission trucks have an extra port on the exhaust system header or piping for some sort of sensor or tubing. Wish I could remember for sure.
Haven't looked REAL hard, but I've not seen an obvious EGR system on my '05 either. So, there may still be a difference between the two emissions ratings.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
Likes: 1
From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
Easiest way is to check under the hood for the emissions sticker. If it sez "50 States" or "California" on it, you're good to go.
One more thing- are you buying it in Washington, or taking it with you when you move? Makes a difference- it's got to have over 7,500 miles on it to be bought and then registered in California.
One more thing- are you buying it in Washington, or taking it with you when you move? Makes a difference- it's got to have over 7,500 miles on it to be bought and then registered in California.