Emissions - Do they differ from state to state?

[Murrrry]

I have a question regarding vehicle emissions. I was configuring a vehicle on http://www.texas-dealer.com and I noticed one of the options you could add was California Emissions. Are there different Emissions laws for each state? Or is California Emissions the standard?

- Murrrry

[pre98zetec]

different states-different emmissions.

[TerminalVelocity]

and here in Ca you got mass smog laws

[Murrrry]

Originally Posted by TerminalVelocity

and here in Ca you got mass smog laws

Are smog laws differnt than Emissions? I thought that was kind of the same thing. I used to live there but I had no idea that there was a "Mass. Smog Law."

[AltecZX2]

emissions = smog...just theirs are more strict

[KimMG]

Emmissions (smog) laws not only vary by state, but can also vary by county.

[ModMech]

The answer to your question is basically YES, but.......

The Federal Gov't mandates all the basic vehicle emissions, and recently those of off-road engines (boats, trail bikes, generators, locomotives, construction equipment). Those are the fundamental regulations that EVERYONE must live by, at the minimum.

Some states like Ca and NY among others, have enacted even more strict laws because they have specific pollution problems due to climate, geography (Denver) or just a huge amount of very concentrated traffic. Often times, the changes to vehicles for these stricter areas are as simple as reprograming the engine compter, but some require additional emissions equipment on the engine.

There are also different fuel mixtures that are used to allegedly help improve emissions, in reality they make it WORSE. But, because they use stuff that Farmers produce, no one is willing to say in public that ethanol blended fuels are actually worse for emissions.

Then you have states like Tx, where there are actual emissions compliance inspections. Many states have inspections, some for emissions only, some for safety items only (brakes, tires, lights), and a few with BOTH.

Fun huh?

[Murrrry]

good grief, that's a lot of information. thanks!

[doggfather69]

Yes here in Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) we have a yearly State insection (Safety) and a yearly emmisions inspection. Its a real pain in the ass.

[wiswind]

As far as the emissions equipment on the car. There are additional requirements for California.
The rest of the country is the same (unless there is someplace else that requires the "California emissions" which I am not aware of).

What differs from area to area is what TESTING is required to make sure that the vehicle is still meeting the emissions.
The EPA mandates that certain areas of the country MUST have yearly inspections (and in some areas, also special "reformulated gasoline").

Point is, the emission requirements (except California) are the same for all areas, but it is only the testing requirements that change.
Just like.....the brakes are the same for your vehicle in all states, but some states require yearly inspections to make sure that the brakes are working.

[brokenantimatter]

Originally Posted by ModMech

Then you have states like Tx, where there are actual emissions compliance inspections. Many states have inspections, some for emissions only, some for safety items only (brakes, tires, lights), and a few with BOTH.

They check for Cats and heavy smoke...that is about it.
Thank God I am from Texas where we encourage oil spills, off roading...and um mmm well Houston.