rocket

iTrader: (1)

Yes or No? I just want to be sure. It's a 1996 4runner (V6) that im referring to. thanks.

X-AWDriver

I know mine is a CA truck and it has two cats so the answer is yes as all CA vehicles have the stuff. There doesn't seem to be a noticeable difference in performance over non CA Runners tho'.

habanero

Different O2 sensors too. Anything emissions-related just specify that you have CA emissions when you order parts or if you're taking it to a shop tell them so they don't get the wrong stuff when they order.

4RUNN!N

Not all CA vehicles are Cali-Spec. My 96 Nissan Maxima was a Fed-Spec and it was originally from CA.

surf4runner

i think that all of them meet the ca emission specs for all 50 states. i would guess that there are still differences.
i know some car makers met the strict specs so it was less of a hassle to move cars from state to state to sell em

rocket

iTrader: (1)

I think your right 'surf' but honestly i don't really know...

If it has CA emissions i assume the ECU is programed differently. Could that cause a problem buying it there and then bring it home to where i live...high altitude (Denver)?

jakengle

That's not true. CA spec Runners have different emissions equipment including cats and O2 sensors, among other things. Fed Spec vehicles do not meet the CA restrictions, that's why they're different.

surf4runner

wasnt sure. i know that some manuf do meet ca emissions for the reason stated above.

4RUNN!N

Actually, Fed-Spec vehicles DO meet CA Smog Regulations. Like I said, my 96 Maxima was a Fed-Spec vehicle and it was orginally from CA.

Flamedx4

No, that is incorrect.

If it does not have a CA cert and only has a Fed sticker, it DID NOT meet CA standards. If its one of the cars that were manufactured to 50 state standards - it STILL had to have a CA cert to be sold new in CA. So either yours was not originally a CA car or you are mistaken that its a 49 state car.

CA standards are and have always been more strict. Merely being FEd standard compliant will not qualify to be sold new in CA.

I response the inevitable next question - you Californians can go outside the state and buy used non-CA compliant cars and bring them into the state - but there are a few restrictions. For new cars there a lot of restrictions. http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/NonCAVeh/NonCAVeh.pdf

4RUNN!N

All I know is that my Maxima was a Fed Spec, originally purchased from Stevens Creek Nissan in San Jose, CA. I had all the maintainence records ever since it was brand new. Didn't mention anything about CA Certification. My VIN and the # of o2 sensors (Fed has 2, Cali has 3) I had also confirmed it was a Fed. I also passed smog 3 times with flying colors in CA.

EDIT: If your vehicle came as a Fed Spec in CA, then it smogs by the Federal Standards, same with Cali smogging by California Standards

heddleston

My 4runner has the CA dual cat setup and was purchased new in VA. CA 4runners had two cats rather than one and an air flow sensor.

There is no reason that a CA 4runner would not be fine driving around in Colorado. I don't see why the ECU wouldn't just adjust for the thinner air. Plus, the tallest mountain in the lower 48 is in CA and there is pleanty of high country that CA vehicles have to handle too.

Flamedx4

There aren't many roads on Mt Whitney, but you can drive around all day in CO at 10,000+ feet, and may spend your whole life above 5,000 feet. Try THAT in CA.

But I agree, modern CA emissions vehicles' performance isn't enough different from the others to make any diffference.

heddleston

Yes, you are right, you can't easily drive all day above 10,000 in CA. All I was trying to say is that if you climb Mt. Whitney it's not close to 15k of elevation gain it's only 6000. Plus, there a a lot of resorts and mountain passes in eastern CA. If a CA car can can go from ocean to Mammoth mountain in a day with no problem I don't know how it would be different in CO. Thats more elevation change then Denver to anywhere drivable in CO.