03-07-2013, 11:17 PM
M A V I C wrote:
So what is the "guise" in this case? Acer mentioned it had to do with auto parts stores making things up about the codes. But as others have pointed out, it may not even be actual legislation.
People point to CCR Title 13, § 1968.5 which covers the subject-matter, but not the specific ban. A lot in that statute is left up to the interpretation of the ARB (Air Resources Board), so it may not be a legislative law, but instead an agency policy which has the force of law under the enabling statute. The latter type of law can be very hard to find without either a great deal of patient and persistent research or the skilled use of a specialized database tool such as Westlaw or Lexis or both.
Lobbyists push such boards every bit as hard or harder than they push legislators. Think about the FCC as an example. Practically pwnd by Comcast and AT&T and only doing anything for the public good when they're embarrassed into it by bad press.
The OBD system is supposed to be part of your emissions system, with no more subtle purpose than verifying that your fuel-injection system is working properly, but it has evolved into a black-box type thing. Plans being pushed for OBDIII include GPS, radios and remote engine-cutoff so that law enforcement can monitor your every move, send you tickets in the mail if any element of your engine falls out of spec and stop your engine from a safe-distance if they decide that the vehicle is unsafe or if they decide to ticket or arrest you in-person.
'Think that's all for your own health and safety?