Hiya,

 

I've got a '96 Legacy OB wagon that I bought in Pa. I'm going to be moving to Ca in July and I'm trying to figure out the whole smog thing. Here's the scoop:

 

I was in an accident a few months ago that necessitated the replacement of my hood which has the emissions sticker on it telling me whether or not my car is a Cali model. At a Cali dealer's bidding, I contacted Subaru-America who looked up my Vin# and confirmed that it is indeed NOT a Cali model car. The fella I was speaking with said that it could be converted to Cali model for around 4-500 (not including labor) but couldn't tell me which parts needed to be changed(??). I called up the Cali dealer I spoke with before and he (a different guy) told me that my car should have no problems passing even though it's 49 state as long as my equipment is operating properly. It was suggested to me by a forum member that I may want a second opinion and that I might find a qualified answer from you fine people.

 

So how 'bout it, any ideas?

 

Thanks!!

 

Will-

Before spending any money, look up the cali DMV and see what they have to say.

 

nipper

Before spending any money, look up the cali DMV and see what they have to say.

 

nipper

 

 

Already did. No break for out-of-towners unless I want to "retire" my gross polluter for some laughable amount of money.

Let me see what the differnce is in the manuals, if i can find it .....

 

nipper

Let me see what the differnce is in the manuals, if i can find it .....

 

nipper

 

 

Thanks. Today when the sleepy west coast wakes up I'm gonna try and call a few more Cali dealers and see if I can get a consensus.

 

Will-

Thanks. Today when the sleepy west coast wakes up I'm gonna try and call a few more Cali dealers and see if I can get a consensus.

 

Will-

 

manuals are no help . I used to know this stuff before NY went to the CA emissions, now I have forgotten it all.

 

nipper

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but 96+ would be ODB-II so aren't they just going to plug it in? As long as it passes the ODB-II test I don't see why there should be any problem.

 

GD

Well I guess since nobody can say for sure, I'll just go trial by

 

But, I would say that GD is p'rolly right. I called a bunch of different dealers in Cali and they all said that as long as the stuff that came with the car is doing it's job it should pass without a problem...

 

...kinda made me wonder what's the point of making a distinction between a 50 state and a 49 state if they both pass the same standard:-\

 

ah well, I suppose there is some other reason, i'dno...

Well I guess since nobody can say for sure, I'll just go trial by

 

But, I would say that GD is p'rolly right. I called a bunch of different dealers in Cali and they all said that as long as the stuff that came with the car is doing it's job it should pass without a problem...

 

...kinda made me wonder what's the point of making a distinction between a 50 state and a 49 state if they both pass the same standard:-\

 

ah well, I suppose there is some other reason, i'dno...

 

Because califonia wants to be special.

 

Beofre OBDII it mad a difference. And now with more and more states adapting CA emission rules, pretty much all cars meet it. What IS differnt, is the amount of leeway in the emissions test.

 

nipper

CA emissions standards are for the cars that were SOLD in CA, if you BRING it there, as long as it meets it's original, federal emissions standards, it should be ok. The reason for the difference is CA wanted the cars sold there to be cleaner, but they don't care too much about cars that get migrated there since it's such a small percentage.

hondasucks is correct. as long as yer car has not been messed with and meets the fed requirements you will be ok. the actual calif requirements are purty forgiving. i assume you have over 7,500 miles. so go ahead and don't worry if its running fine.

 

george

hondasucks is correct. as long as yer car has not been messed with and meets the fed requirements you will be ok. the actual calif requirements are purty forgiving. i assume you have over 7,500 miles. so go ahead and don't worry if its running fine.

 

george

 

 

 

Thanks, I will

 

Will-