jrv2000

I am not 100% sure, but I think that the only time you have a problem is if you have to go and get your car smog checked. Then if the guys there see it they might make you take it off or something in order for you to pass.

Kwiksilver

hey, Stuuudster i just looked at your location and you are in the same boat as me with that question. we're both in california. and i'm looking into getting the injen intake too.

TimmyT

Since you don't have to smog your vehicle for like 4 years after initial purchase in california, other than to the polution you won't have any problems. If you are driving recklessly or street racing and a cop pulls you over he can require you to open the hood and show your carb numbers, get a smog check and appear in court (this is what they can do, not necessarily what they will do). For the first few years in cali you don't gotta worry about smog, better safe than sorry is my rule, and when/if you sell or trade in your tC having it smog legal is always a plus.

Kwiksilver

thanks, good info TimmyT. so is it every 4 years after you buy it, or 4 years after you buy it and then some other intervals after that?

and can a CA cop require you to open the hood and check your CARB numbers if you get pulled over for, say, just not signaling for a lane change or something like that? or does it just happen if you are speeding? that's one thing that i've always wondered.

Kwiksilver

i did a little research and i found this statement on the CA smog check website:
Beginning January 1, 2005, vehicles 6 or less model-years old will be exempt from the biennial Smog Check inspection requirement. For vehicles with registration renewals due in the 2005 calendar year, this exemption includes model-years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

but i'm confused. does it mean you don't need a smog check if your car is 6 or less model years old, and will once it is older than six model years old? or does it mean that cars 6 or less model years old will never be smog checked ever? legal stuff is so confusingly worded, but i think the first possiblity seems more logical

TimmyT

A police officer can never inspect your vehicle (under the hood or other wise) without probable cause. If you genuinly were pulled over for something like failing to signal or a busted tail light. They can not require you to allow them to visually inspect any part of your vehicle.

Kwik: Since that law passed in 2005 vehicles purchased in 2005 (wich includes 2006 models purchased in 2005) and later vehicles are exempt from the smog check. 2004 and below models still require yearly smog inspections for emission/registration purposes.

Kwiksilver

thanks again TimmyT! good stuff. ok, i don't mean to be a pain with questions, but the info is good to know, so one last thing. to be clear, i bought my 2005 tc in 2004, so am i exempt being that it is a model year 2005 vehicle, even though it was bought in 2004? it sounded like they are judging based on model year only, but i could be mistaken. and is it exempt forever, as in i will never have to have my car smog checked ever?

TimmyT

Its based on model year, even though they were produced in 2004, they were produced with 2005 specifications.

Kwiksilver

cool. i editied my post right after you answered so the last part, i never have to get a smog check ever?

TimmyT

not forever. Just for 4 years, each year after you will have to smog though. Similar system to japans.. except we dont' turn in our engines.. just start smogging.

Kwiksilver

thanks Tim. but blah. that sucks. i'd hate to have to take the intake off every year to have it smogged. that would be a pain. although it is 4 years down the road, but still.