California Smog, 0LM emission option

[spaf]

Are R8's 50-state cars? Is the 0LM option on all cars or is it specific to California cars?

I'm in Cali and have been looking at cars from out of state but want to make sure that there isn't going to be any smog issues.

[SBFV10]

I don't know what is different for CA, but these are 2 separate lines on the order sheet for both the V8 and V10:

California emission requirements
0LM
N/C
N/C

Northeast trading region emission requirements
1QE
N/C
N/C

You might ask a CA dealer what the difference is. I am in OR but ordered the CA emission requirements because I might move down there soon. If I was in CA right now, I would be sure order the CA option....just in case you need the proof of it for registration.

Steve

[willyjp]

I'm pretty sure 2010 cars delivered in Oregon will meet CA emissions spec., because our governor decreed that by exective order Oregon would join WA (and I think a couple of other western states) in enforcing the CA air quality stds. as relates to fuels and vehicles, rather than Federal.

That happened in '08 and it may be phased in over some period...I'm not sure...but I believe that is why some diesels (eg: VW) were briefly off the market in Oregon. The VW TDI's (and MB CDI's) were NOT 50 state (ie. CA) legal during, I believe, the '07--'08 model years. Most of that time, they were legal in Oregon and MB got their "Blue-Tec" in under the Oregon wire, whenever exactly it was. So there was no hiatus of MB diesels unavailable in Oregon but VW TDIs disappeared from the market until the advent of the new '09 with urea injection (whatever trade name they call theirs).

I own an '08 MB R320 CDI that says right on the sticker that it is not CA legal. Not an issue for me, but I seem to vaguely recall the salesman saying that there is a route via which you can "import" such cars into CA for registration, even though they don't meet the year specific stanards, once they've been legally registered and used in another jurisdiction. Seems like it would be somewhat of a restraint on inter-state commerce if that were not possible.

But I am only casually informed on this, so inform yourself from authoritative sources if it's a potential issue for you!

[R84ME]

Willyjp is right about registering an out of state car in CA, as long it has been registered in another state. The DOT and State Regs only apply to new cars. Any used car can be registered in any state as long as it passes the applicable smog test and still has all of the smog equipment on the car (that it was delivered new with). New cars are another story. Call your local DMV, they should be able to address the out of state, new car question.

[Mike]

My car was a Texas car and passed in California. The problem for the R8 is the actual smog check test, not the passing part. It took over and hour for the test. The smog test in California consists of revving the engine around 2500 to I think 3000 RPM for about a minute. When you try to hold RPMs steady @ 2500 RPM the ECM automatically jumps the RPM out of the test range making it almost impossible to smog. They tech told me the only other car he has seen do this was the Bentley. It was comical watching the test. But leave it to the great state of California to order a smog check on a new car with 500 miles.

Anyone know why the ECM would jump the RPM like this?

[R84ME]

My car was a Texas car and passed in California. The problem for the R8 is the actual smog check test, not the passing part. It took over and hour for the test. The smog test in California consists of revving the engine around 2500 to I think 3000 RPM for about a minute. When you try to hold RPMs steady @ 2500 RPM the ECM automatically jumps the RPM out of the test range making it almost impossible to smog. They tech told me the only other car he has seen do this was the Bentley. It was comical watching the test. But leave it to the great state of California to order a smog check on a new car with 500 miles.

Anyone know why the ECM would jump the RPM like this?

Yes, welcome to CA. Every out of state, used car being registered in CA for the first time is subjected to a smog check. After that, as long as your car is less than X years, the test is every other year.

I'm not sure your ECU behavior is normal. I'll check mine, has anyone else experienced this.

[willyjp]

I believe the latest iterations of Onboard Diagnostics essentially require the system to do it's own ongoing testing of all the legally required parameters (and more), store the data and report when the DMV plugs their computer into your system. Thus there would seem to be no reason to do actual testing unless to catch unauthorized modifications.

A recent conversation with a DMV/DEQ tech I had here in Oregon suggested that they can detect mods now in almost all cases because the systems self-report them, even sometimes ones that may have been reversed or that may not affect real time testing, if they have changed other parameters.

Oregon has basically stopped actual testing on newer cars now and just makes you go in so they can do a brief visual, verify that they're plugging into the actual car described in the registration and then plug in their computer and look at the report.

One nice thing about a largely rural state: you only have to go through this if your registration shows that you reside in one of the two "urban metropolitan airsheds" in the state. If you live 100 yds. outside, no one knows or officially cares what your emissions are!

[Mike]

Yes, welcome to CA. Every out of state, used car being registered in CA for the first time is subjected to a smog check. After that, as long as your car is less than X years, the test is every other year.

I'm not sure your ECU behavior is normal. I'll check mine, has anyone else experienced this.

I asked Audi SA about this and he said it was normal, but he couldn't tell me why?

[R84ME]

Oregon has basically stopped actual testing on newer cars now and just makes you go in so they can do a brief visual, verify that they're plugging into the actual car described in the registration and then plug in their computer and look at the report!

Exactly so for AZ in Tucson or Phoenix. I just registered a 96 Toyota from NM. In AZ, MY 96 on with OBDII go thru this process. Not sure why CA would be any different.

[harrison]

It's funny, Get 1 hour away from Tuscon and NO smog required for ANY vehicle registered there. We all share the same air. Ideally smog laws should be the same world wide.Till then I will register impossible to smog vehicles in the small town of Nogales Arizona.