Avoid a California pickup?
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Avoid a California pickup?
Hello,
First post, long time reader.
My brother lives in California and has a nice 2008 F150 that I'd be interested in buying. I live in South Dakota and am curious, should I avoid purchasing his California-based F150?
Our mechanic said to avoid it as California vehicles tend to have more sensors, emission controls, and problems as they get older. Also, the colder midwest temps can cause the pickup to have more issues.
As anyone else ever heard this? I'm not sure if he was speaking factually or just citing his experience. Any thoughts?
I appreciate your time!
Nate
First post, long time reader.
My brother lives in California and has a nice 2008 F150 that I'd be interested in buying. I live in South Dakota and am curious, should I avoid purchasing his California-based F150?
Our mechanic said to avoid it as California vehicles tend to have more sensors, emission controls, and problems as they get older. Also, the colder midwest temps can cause the pickup to have more issues.
As anyone else ever heard this? I'm not sure if he was speaking factually or just citing his experience. Any thoughts?
I appreciate your time!
Nate
F150 Forum
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 438
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From: Mira Mesa, CA
Eh, these days I think the emissions stuff is pretty much standardized for vehicles sold nation-wide. Not sure about an 08. Either way, I'd rather have a car from SoCal than pretty much anywhere else in the country. No salt on the roads here.
Senior Member
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Everything is pretty much the same nowadays. Standards are standard nation wide. If anything they just tax the truck more if you are the original purchaser so the money goes to CARB. If anything you should buy a truck from California because there is no rust from Salt deposits. More than likely they are in better shape.
Canuck with a truck
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,475
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From: Ontario, Canada
I wouldn't worry about a car from Cali having extra emission crap, 20 years ago maybe but late model vehicles it wouldn't be cost affective for a company to change a vehicle for different state laws, they would stick to the most stringet one.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
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As far as emmisions on a newer vehicle they're going to be the same nationwide. Now one of the big pluses to a Cali vehicle is little to no rust at all. That's why a Classic Cali car is typically a great base for restoration projects because of no rust usually
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I bought my first F150 in 2012. I had it ordered from the factory with the specific set of options I wanted. The California emissions package was one of the options offered by Ford for people living in adjacent states, and is required by customers in California. I ordered this option because I could get it free at the time of purchase, but would have to pay to have it installed if I move to California (which is highly likely in the near future). The order code for this option was "422".
I have no idea what is included in this option, nor what difference it might make to performance and gas mileage, etc. I just wanted to share the fact that it exists, is required for F150s registered in CA, and (apparently) is different than the rest of the US.
I have no idea what is included in this option, nor what difference it might make to performance and gas mileage, etc. I just wanted to share the fact that it exists, is required for F150s registered in CA, and (apparently) is different than the rest of the US.
Member
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From: Big Easy
I just looked at the emission cert tag under the hood on my truck and it states U.S. EPA emissions as well as NOT to be sold in California so there is a difference between those in Cali than the rest of the U.S. but like everyone else I wouldn't worry about it, probably has an extra purge canister and possibly a couple of other sensors/programming changes, on the flip side you could get that truck emission passed in ALL states.
Should you decide to live in Cali at some point in time you're covered.
.
Should you decide to live in Cali at some point in time you're covered.
.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Lost Wages
Instead of wondering, just read this. It comes from here. Sounds like it is a non-issue, if you live in a state that allows it, (South Dakota?), you can put in non-California rated parts. But, you have to check with S.D. Do they do emissions testing? Inspections? No? Probably home free, but check.
https://www.rockauto.com/info/emissionsExp.html
Numerous states besides California and New York require that new cars must meet California and New York emissions standards. This potentially impacts every owner and buyer of new or late model used cars as well as the DIYers and professional mechanics that work on them.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions:
https://www.rockauto.com/info/emissionsExp.html
Numerous states besides California and New York require that new cars must meet California and New York emissions standards. This potentially impacts every owner and buyer of new or late model used cars as well as the DIYers and professional mechanics that work on them.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions:
- Are there still US federal emissions standards? Yes, states can choose to specify cars either meet federal or California and New York emissions specifications.
- How can I tell if a car is a California or New York spec car? Look at the VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION label clearly displayed in the engine compartment. It meets California and New York emissions specs if the label says “California and New York emission standard (CARB certified)”, “sale in all 50 states (50-state certified)”, or “sale in the northeast”. The VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION label is also where you will find "Engine Family" or "EFN" numbers.
- I do not live in California or New York or one of those emissions states so why do I care? Used cars from the California and New York spec states could show up for sale in any state. New states are steadily joining the California and New York spec list. If the car is a California and New York spec car then it might eventually need California and New York spec replacement parts or service.
- I live in a state requiring California and New York specs. Can I go to a neighboring state that only requires Federal emissions specs and buy myself a car? You can probably buy any pre-2009 car, but check with your state’s department of licensing to avoid problems. For example, Washington State does not allow post-2009 cars without California and New York emissions equipment to be registered if they have less than 7,500 miles (12,070 km) on the odometer. Washington residents might not be able to get license plates for a new car they buy in Montana. It is “might” because some car manufacturers are now putting California and New York spec emissions (50-state certified) equipment on certain models no matter where they are sold. The only way to know for sure is look at that emissions decal under the hood.
- Why are some of the replacement catalytic converters listed in the RockAuto.com parts catalog described as being for California and New York emissions equipped models but “not legal for sale on vehicles licensed in the state of California and New York?” Since January 1, 2009, California and New York requires that aftermarket catalytic converters sold in California and New York have special California and New York Air Resource Board (CARB) certification and labeling. An exhaust manufacturer may have built a catalytic converter that meets or exceeds California and New York emissions standards, but they have not yet received CARB certification so their catalytic converter cannot be sold in California and New York.
- If a catalytic converter meets California and New York emissions standards but does not have CARB certification then can it still successfully be installed on California and New York spec cars outside California and New York? Yes.
- I live in California or New York. Will a new (manufactured after January 1, 2009) catalytic converter that meets California and New York emissions standards but does not have CARB certification still enable my car to pass state emissions tests? No. The catalytic converter meets California and New York emissions standards so the vehicle’s exhaust will likely pass emissions tests. But the vehicle should still fail because the test includes a visual inspection of the exhaust system. CARB certification requires special CARB numbers be stamped into the body of the catalytic converter. Without the CARB label on the new aftermarket catalytic converter, the state inspector will fail the car no matter how clean the exhaust is. Catalytic converters made before 2009 or newer ones without CARB certification still have a date of manufacture stamped on them per federal EPA requirements.
- Will this get less or more complicated in the future? It might get less complicated if the California and New York emissions standards are adopted by all the states or if car manufacturers decide to only make California and New York spec cars. But it could get more complicated if other states besides California and New York are allowed to come up with their own emissions standards or if California and New York or other states write new regulations similar to the CARB certification for replacement catalytic converters.