Questions and Answers
California/Non-California Models
Q. Hi Vince, In April of 2002 I bought a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder XE, from a local used car dealer in Massachusetts. I CarFaxed the car and it was originally sold from a Massachusetts Nissan new car dealer. Yesterday I was checking the VIN codes to order some touch up paint and discovered that this Pathfinder was made to be sold in California, meaning it has California emissions.
It is classified as HSC 39037.5 low-emission vehicle. I would like to know the difference between the California cars and the non-California. Should I expect different gas milage, more or less performance, higher or lower repair costs? Also what parts are different, added, subtracted from the two. The vehicle was made in 9/97, Chassis #JN8AR05Y1WW231489, model #TLPZLRFR50EVAG.
Thank you for any information that you can tell me,
JohnA.Those numbers are really wonderful. They tell almost everything you need to know about a vehicle. But you asked a very good question, one that is difficult to answer completely.
There are a number of differences between a California and Federal model, most being emissions related. California has very strict emissions standards and has always had car makers jumping through hoops to meet them. They do cost more to produce which is why there are California models. So right off the bat one difference is price.
In this case, your manual transmission (How did I know you had a manual transmission?) is different than a Federal model. Exactly what is different I don't know but I suspect it is in the gear ratios.
The Powertrain Control Modules are different as well as the Catalytic Converter. Various vacuum switches, components and vacuum lines are different as well. Cost to repair and maintain them are comparable to a Federal model and the slightly lower performance would never be noticed.
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