Federal Law, US & Canada
I have no idea what your service people are talking about.

 

From Ford (I think the information here can probably be extrapolated to other mfr.'s as well):

http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fus...ions-warranty/
vs. federal:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fus...ions-warranty/

Ford Warranty details:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/resource...om=100,200,200

From the EPA document:

What Are Specified Major Emission Control Components?

There are three specified major emission control components,
covered for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles of vehicle use on 1995
and newer vehicles:

* Catalytic converters.

* The electronic emissions control unit or computer (ECU).

* The onboard emissions diagnostic device or computer (OBD).

Catalytic converters are critical emission control components
that have been installed on most cars and trucks manufactured since
1975. Since engines don't burn fuel completely during the combustion
process, the exhaust contains a significant amount of harmful
pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of
nitrogen. The catalytic converter aids the conversion of these
pollutants to less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, water
vapor, nitrogen, and oxygen before the exhaust is expelled into the
environment.


From CARB (California Air Resources Board):
http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr122105.htm (from Dec. 2005):
"... The original catalytic converter warranty is 7 years/70,000 miles. ..."

And a warranty card with the same stated in the fine print:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermk...rrantycard.pdf


I think CARB is at play here; I would call both CARB and EPA to confirm the 7 / 70k, but other than that it seems this might be the exception.

California's always got to be special.

 

all that means is that your car has a slightly different tune. one that will meet the tougher california emissions standards.

it doesnt matter wtf cali law says, Federal law says 8yr/80K. Federal trumps state, PERIOD

there may be some unseen/understood reason why CARB has that in wording, or it may just be redundant and stupid politicians. But regardless California is NOT special, they are still under Federal law. 8yr/80K

 

I would agree completely, but this is just plain confusing. In the case of anything state vs. federal, I would think it usually the case where state would be more strict than federal.

I would really like to know what the official word is on this.

 

straight from the source

http://nsdi.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/warr95fs.txt

A. PERFORMANCE WARRANTY

The Performance Warranty covers repairs which are required during
the first 2 years or 24,000 miles of vehicle use because the vehicle
failed an emission test. Specified major emission control components
are covered for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles. If you are a
resident of an area with an Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program
that meets federal guidelines, you are eligible for this warranty
protection provided that:

* Your car or light-duty truck fails an approved emissions test;
and

* Your vehicle is less than 2 years old and has less than 24,000
miles (up to 8 years/80,000 miles for certain components); and

* Your state or local government requires that you repair the
vehicle; and

* The test failure does not result from misuse of the vehicle or a
failure to follow the manufacturers' written maintenance
instructions; and

* You present the vehicle to a warranty-authorized manufacturer
representative, along with evidence of the emission test failure,
during the warranty period.

 

typically state law that was a duplicate effort of federal law is more strict. but there is likely some beurocratic BS that we are unaware of to cause that wording in CARB.

the official word is: Federal > State
I think the Feds were pretty clear about that when they were still busting farms/pharms that grew/sold pot even though it was locally legal for them, federally it wasnt.(course now the feds say, "pot, **** it - do whatever your state is ok with")

 

"If you are a resident of an area with an Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program that meets federal guidelines, you are eligible for this warranty protection provided that: ..."

Every time I read over this part, I had a slight hesitation; "if", why "if"? What if one does not reside in such an area? Is there such an area?

 

ok... if you get emissions tested and fail, it could be failing local standards OR failing Federal standards. depending on which they test on.

Federal standards are not mandatory to pass, but they exist as a way to enforce the manufacturers.

What that is really saying is that you have to fail an emissions test that follows Federal guidlines. (for example, TN might have sniffer test, but maybe the standards they require for the OWNERS are different from what the Feds require of manufacturers... ie you could fail TN standards but pass Federal standard)

 

so what should i do guys?

should i call the EPA or something because these people are telling me the CA one out rules the federal one.

If so give me some suggestions on which CAT to get thanks guys.

 

bump let me know what's up guys and thanks for all the help, should i get a hi-flow cat, or what?

i have found these so far which do you guys recommend?

http://www.highperformanceoutlet.com...-p7367974.html

http://www.2kracing.com/Product/67919.html

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...t/61-0451.html

http://www.rotaryfx.com/product_p/per1066.htm

people are telling me that the cat delete pipe will have the car run better.

 

bump

 

Just thought I would give my 2 cents here for what its worth as I've just gone through a bunch of emissions work here in Ontario.

First I own a RP Super Kat that is maybe a year and half old with maybe about 20,000 km's on it (car doesn't get driven in the winter).
The RP Super Kat failed the Ontario emissions test horribly, horribly, horribly on an epic scale.

So from my experience I wouldn't recommend this high flow cat to anyone that actually wanted to pass an emissions test (at least in Ontario)

I put the OEM cat back on and all was good, thankfully enough because I still thru another cel during the emissions test - P2270 Rear H2O sensor stuck lean. I think the sensor is fucked.

I was going to try and find a used OEM cat from a wreckers or something, anything is better than spending 1900 cdn on a new cat from the dealer. So maybe this might be a solution for you.

I was also able to source out some connections for a more black market style approach at roughly 400$, thankfully I didn't need to take this route. Another option that may provide you with some success.

I would like to hear from anyone who has had a successful experience with a high flow cat and the e-test.

 

heres someone selling a hiflow cat

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-sale-wanted-44/fs-rb-intake-duct-rx7-store-high-flow-cat-socal-189369/

 

what about the ones i posted are any of those good? looks like the guys selling his has already sold it

 

bump

 

anyone got anything? im trying to buy this part and get it replaced before my cars get really messed up..

 

Your cat should be replaced under warranty

 

i have said this plenty of times now my VIN number falls under CA emissions and its a 7 year 70k warranty. My car has 80k on it so it is not covered. Federal one does not apply to my car.

So i need to purchase a new CAT and im looking for recommendations, where can i get a hi flow cat from?

 

People have said plenty of times that Federal law supercedes CA law. Most people get an RP supercat if they must have a cat. It's decently cheap and works for a pretty long time usually. There are "better" catalytic converters out there but they are $$$$$$.

 

well i have called 2 dealerships and they said CA over rides the federal. Can you get me some proof of the federal one out ruling the CA one? Can you call around and see what they say? Where can i get a RP supercat from?

 

I have no experience with supercats, so can't really advise you there, however...

You should tsill be under the 8yr 80,000. I know what you are saying, but the CA law does not supercede the federal law.

It just means that for 0 through 70,000 miles, you had it covered under both. For 70,001 to 80,000 miles, you only have it covered under federal.

At no point in any of those links and the texts say that your federal cat warranty is voided and replaced with the CA warranty. So both apply. Think of it like an extended warranty. You have both up to a certain point, then one drops and the other keeps going.

If the dealership refuses, call a lawyer, I'm sure you can find one that would happily fight it for you. It's a cake walk for a lawyer.

 

RIWWP can you get me some proof of this? Can you call around and see what some dealerships say? Im not trying to pay a lawyer lol

 

For this type of case, I doubt you would have to pay a lawyer...

But, I am on the the opposite coast, so no CA law here to worry about.

However read this: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/warranty.pdf
That's from CA's ARB site, and pretty clearly states that Federal law still covers to 80k. They overlap, they do not cancel out.


Print it out and bring it to the dealer.

 

I saw that....

 

Was easier to find than I thought... kinda ashamed of myself.