What California's New ECU Law Means for Tuned Cars

[Quiker]

What California's New ECU Law Means for Tuned Cars

California's biennial smog check now includes a test to detect unapproved ECU software or aftermarket tuners. We spoke with a SEMA representative to find out what this means for your car.

www.roadandtrack.com

I don't own a car that will pass....

 

[Donovan]

lol California.

How do people still live there? Must be the sun and free Vaccines..

 

[nikhsub1]

Umm, most tuned cars won’t pass smog anyway since readiness is generally never achieved. You just flash to stock, get the test flash the tune back. This is really a non issue.

 

[blwn]

Umm, most tuned cars won’t pass smog anyway since readiness is generally never achieved. You just flash to stock, get the test flash the tune back. This is really a non issue.

I guess that depends on how far you are modded and if it will run on the stock tune. Shouldn't be an issue for most of us, but I could see highly modified vehicles having a lot of issues with this

 

[HOLLYWOOD 1]

I thought I read something somewhere that said that the machines they now have can detect if a car / truck was tuned, and the tune was returned to stock, and they won't pass it. Bad deal for anyone living in California if it's true.

 

[Boostd4]

I thought I read something somewhere that said that the machines they now have can detect if a car / truck was tuned, and the tune was returned to stock, and they won't pass it. Bad deal for anyone living in California if it's true.

Nope, definitely not the case. I'll have to find the link but the BAR "suggests" keeping the factory software for smog inspections, so they know people will be doing it. As long as the CalID and the CVN are in the database and your monitors are set you're good. Interestingly, Cobb's OTS maps have a CARB EO# which is a direct result of this new check.

 

[smurfslayer]

Umm, most tuned cars won’t pass smog anyway since readiness is generally never achieved. You just flash to stock, get the test flash the tune back. This is really a non issue.

Or you can just move to a place where humans don’t have to lick the boots of their betters.

 

[nikhsub1]

Or you can just move to a place where humans don’t have to lick the boots of their betters.

CA only does smog checks every 2 years - no vehicle inspection ******** like other states do where they check tires and all that crap.

 

[smurfslayer]

CA only does smog checks every 2 years - no vehicle inspection ******** like other states do where they check tires and all that crap.

LOLS! So at least it’s not frequent boot licking !

 

[nikhsub1]

LOLS! So at least it’s not frequent boot licking !

My point is - in VA for example, you need to get your car inspected yearly. If your tires are too worn, FAIL. If this isnt in compliance, FAIL. We don't have that in CA ever. Just bi annual smog checks which are a breeze.