On Monday, California added an extra step to its smog checks: an ECU scan for aftermarket software.
So, I hope you have a fast way to reverse the mod to your cars software in order to pass smog, 'cause the fines are going to suck
Every other year, most cars in California are required to undergo a strict emissions inspection—anything 1976 model year or newer for gas-powered cars, and 1998 MY or newer for diesels. Vehicles less than eight years old are exempt.
California’s new testing procedure won’t just measure emission levels and ensure that monitors are set, but will also check to see if any software in the vehicle’s Engine Control Unit (ECU) has been tampered with
California’s new testing procedure won’t just measure emission levels and ensure that monitors are set, but will also check to see if any software in the vehicle’s Engine Control Unit (ECU) has been tampered with
Since 2013, California’s regulatory viewpoint is that a vehicle’s software is part of its factory-equipped emission control devices and that by modifying the software on the vehicle, the owner is tampering with the emission controls just as if they were gutting the car’s catalytic converter.
The biggest change is that the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (CBAR), the agency which oversees the Smog Check procedure, has now officially begun to enforce the already existing regulation.
now youre gonna need to just keep the factory computer, and buy a second one to modify and use everyday except for the one day every two years you have to go to the smog station.
ReplyDeleteI know people that do that now so the software mods wont void the warranty.
did that in one of my cars just to get rid of the $550 replacement key with the computer chip in it. bought a used ECM, had it modded to remove the chip key requirement. that was hundreds of dollars cheaper than getting a new chip key made.