| Pre OBD-II Vehicle Classifications |
| PC-1 | Passenger car single configuration | 1 converter per vehicle or engine bank |
| T-1 | Truck single configuration | 1 converter per vehicle or engine bank |
| PC-2 | Passenger car dual configuration | 2 or more converters in series or per bank |
| T-2 | Truck dual configuration | 2 or more converters in series or per bank |
| OBD-II Classifications |
| PC/LDT1 | passenger car or a light truck with GVW of less than 3751 lbs |
| LDT2 | light truck with a GVW of 3751lbs and over |
| MDV | Medium duty Vehicle |
Safety Statement For California
Airtek Inc. Catalytic Converters will not, in their operation, function, or malfunction, result in any unsafe condition endangering the motor vehicle, its occupants, or persons or property in close proximity to the vehicle.
NOTE
It is illegal to select a catalytic converter for installation based solely on vehicle weight and engine size or based upon catalytic converter physical shape, size, configuration, or pipe diameters.
Additional Notes
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
Installers of exempted new aftermarket catalytic converters shall adhere to the
following requirements for proper installation. Airtek Inc. shall make these
installation requirements available to installers of its products through
the Catalog, the website , the Tech Line or requests via phone or email for technical help from installers. Installers may not install a new aftermarket catalytic converter in a vehicle unless all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The vehicle is specifically included in the vehicle application list for which the
new aftermarket catalytic converter has been exempted;
(2) The vehicle is more than 7 years old or has more than 70,000 miles on its
odometer;
(3 The vehicle is beyond the coverage of the OEM catalyst warranty period
(which can vary from 7 years or 70,000 miles to as high as 15 years or
150,000 miles).!Installers can reference the vehicle owner’s
manual/warranty booklet or contact the vehicle manufacturer or
dealer to verify the applicable OEM catalyst warranty;
(4) The vehicle has a legitimate need for replacement of the existing converter and
that has been established and documented by the installer on the repair invoice. If the OEM converter is present, the installer must make a determination that it is not functioning properly before replacing it.
(5) The exempted new aftermarket catalytic converter is installed in the same
location as the OEM catalytic converter it is designed to replace. The front
face of the installed catalytic converter shall be no more than three inches
further upstream or downstream in the exhaust from where the front face of
the OEM catalytic converter was located. The installation may not alter the
location, position, or orientation of oxygen sensors upstream and
downstream of the catalytic converter(s);
(6) The exempted new aftermarket catalytic converter is installed on a one-for one
catalytic converter (not substrate) basis. Installer must replace all converters removed.
(7) The exempted new aftermarket catalytic converter is installed with all other
required catalytic converters no consolidation of catalytic converters, nor
addition of extra catalytic converters is allowed !
(8) The warranty card has been filled out by the installer, signed by the customer,
attached to the repair invoice, and a copy returned to Airtek Inc.
(9 Installers shall keep documentation regarding the installation of the new
aftermarket catalytic converters including all of the above information. This
documentation shall be made available to ARB or its representative as provided for
in title 13, section 2222(b)(8). All such records shall be maintained for four years
from the date of sale or installation of the catalytic converter.
Installer’s Checklist for New Aftermarket
Catalytic Converters
1 The vehicle model is specifically included in the
application list for the catalytic converter model I intend
to install, and the converter model is approved for use in
California.
2 I have verified that the vehicle manufacturer’s warranty
for the stock catalytic converter has expired.
Warranties will range from a minimum of 7 years/70,000
miles to 15 years/150,000 miles. Consult the owner’s
manual.
3 I have confirmed the need for a replacement catalytic
converter. If the stock converter is still installed, a
diagnosis that it is malfunctioning is required.
4 The replacement converter will be installed in the same
location as the stock converter (the front face location
will be within three inches compared to the stock
design).
5 All oxygen sensors will remain installed in their stock
location(s).
6 The catalytic converter will be installed on a “one-for one”
basis (only one OEM converter is being replaced
by the converter to be installed). Decreasing or
increasing the number of catalytic converters
(compared to the stock configuration) is prohibited.
7 Warranty Card - I have:
(a) filled out the warranty card
(b) obtained the customer’s signature on the card
(c) attached the card to the original repair invoice
(d) returned a copy of the warranty card to the catalytic
converter manufacturer
8 I have filed and will maintain a copy of all documentation
for a period of at least four years from the date of
installation.
ARB Website Address
www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/aftermktcat.htm
CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD
NEW AFTERMARKET CATALYTIC CONVERTERS INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS Q & A
Q. When can an aftermarket catalytic converter be legally installed?
A. When the vehicle is beyond its warranty period and a legitimate need for a replacement of the existing catalytic converter is established and documented. The need for a replacement can be established through a diagnosis by a licensed repair technician. This may include a failed smog check inspection caused by a non-functioning catalytic converter, damage due to an accident, exhaust leak, and broken or melted catalytic converter.
Q. How is the need for catalytic converter replacement documented?
A. On the warranty card. There is a space on the warranty card statement that requires the installer to state the reasons for replacement of the existing catalytic converter. The warranty card also includes a line for the signature of the vehicle owner or customer stating that he or she understands the reasons for the replacement of the catalytic converter. The installer also needs to document the need for replacement on the repair invoice.
Q. Should an installer request to see the result from the smog check inspection?
A. Yes, the installer should ask for the result from the smog check inspection because it should be documented as the reason for the replacement of the existing catalytic converter. The installer has to keep a copy together with the repair invoice and other documents relating to the installation.
Q. Should the warranty card be filled out or can installer’s receipt and invoice be enough?
A. The regulations require that the warranty card be filled out completely in triplicate. The original copy is given to the customer, a second copy is kept by the installer, and the third copy with the postage free permit and the manufacturer’s address should be mailed.
Q. How can I find out if the vehicle is still under warranty?
A. Installers may reference the vehicle owner’s manual/warranty booklet or contact the vehicle manufacturer or its representative to verify the applicable OEM converter warranty. The vehicle’s odometer reading can then be compared to the mileage covered under warranty.
Q. Federal vehicles are not listed in California application catalog. How do I determine what catalytic converter to install on a federal vehicle?
A. Find a catalytic converter exempted for a California vehicle that is of the same make, model, and model year as the federal vehicle, except for the engine family. Install the catalytic converter on the federal vehicle and make a note on your invoice and warranty card that it is a federal vehicle.
Q. If I have a catalytic converter model that has been exempted for various vehicles, why can’t I install it on other vehicles regardless of the different part numbers listed for each vehicle, if it can fit?
A. Part numbers are assigned by catalytic converter manufacturers based on several factors, which may include location of the oxygen sensor, pipe size, size and shape of the exhaust system, catalyst model/series, etc. Where the physical differences are not significant, a manufacturer may assign several vehicle makes and models the same part number. However, occasionally, installers may have to rely on distributors to get the part they need when the vehicle comes in the shop, rather than try to stock for all vehicles. Also, they should not rely on a particular manufacturer to allow for flexibility in finding the right catalytic converter when they need it.
Q. How do I find the correct catalytic converter before purchasing one?
A. CARB has a summary list of exempted aftermarket catalytic converters at www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/aftermktcat.htm. Once you open the list, you can quickly scan the rightmost column for the vehicle make and class. The Executive Order (EO) for the vehicle can then be identified on the left column. With the EO, go to www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php where you can input the EO and scroll down to the list of vehicles to see if the vehicle of interest is listed. You can search for other manufacturers if the vehicle is not listed in the EO you first searched.
Q. The EO# that I’m checking on ARB’s web site does not come up?
A. A newly issued EO is not uploaded to ARB’s web site automatically. However, the summary list is updated as soon as the EO is issued. If the EO is not shown on the web site, you can call the manufacturer and ask if your vehicle is listed under the EO, for OBD II application, if you know the engine family number of your vehicle.
Q. A customer came in with a missing catalytic converter on a vehicle that is still under warranty. Can I install an aftermarket catalytic converter for this vehicle?
A. No, because the converter is still within its warranty period. Non-OEM aftermarket catalytic converters can be legally installed only on vehicles that are beyond their warranty period.
Q. What if the engine family number is no longer available under the hood?
A. Use the make, model, and model year information to locate similar vehicles in ARB’s summary list and determine the appropriate catalytic converter.
Q. Can aftermarket catalytic converters exempted under this new regulations be used to replace one for my customer’s diesel truck?
A. No. ARB's regulations for non-OEM aftermarket catalytic converters apply only to gasoline powered vehicles. Similar provisions currently do not exist to allow lower performing non-OEM catalytic converters for use on diesel powered vehicles. Therefore, replacement catalytic converters intended for use on diesel vehicles, like all other emission control devices, must be functionally identical to the component originally installed by the vehicle or engine manufacturer.
Q. What if none of the manufacturers makes the catalytic converter for the vehicle of interest?
A. This is becoming rare; however, in a worst case scenario, the owner can apply for a waiver from BAR, if nothing is available and the vehicle is due for registration.
Q. What is the penalty for a violation of the law?
A. Catalytic converter falls under California anti-tampering law. The law is designed to prevent tampering with pollution control devices on California vehicles. The anti-tampering law is Vehicle Code Section 27156 and covers all pollution related systems and devices on a motor vehicle. A violation of this law may also include a parallel violation of California Business and Professions Code Sections 17200 and 17500. Judges usually impose penalty based on the severity of the offence and whether a repeat offender is involved, and a fine of up to $2,500 for each violation may be assessed, as well as some jail time.
Q. What if the installer down the street is not following the law and I keep losing customers to his shop, what do I do?
A. You can call ARB’s 800 number and provide as much information as possible to enable inspectors to visit the shop and conduct investigation of the shop’s practices. The information you provided will be kept confidential.
The ARB has been kind enough to allow the distribution of the following ARB workshop document:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/amcatpres.pdf