Cold air intakes and California smog checks: what to look up

Cold Air Intakes and California Smog Checks: What to Research

Quick answer: BAR's Smog Check Manual lists an aftermarket air cleaner assembly on 1996-and-newer gasoline vehicles (and any year with a thermostatic air cleaner) as a part inspectors check for an applicable CARB EO. Before your next inspection, research the intake's EO, its part number and whether the EO covers your vehicle.

What BAR's manual says

Appendix C of the Smog Check Manual lists which add-on and modified parts inspectors check for an EO. For air induction on gasoline vehicles:

• Air cleaner or assembly, 1996 and newer, and all years with a thermostatic air cleaner: EO checked during inspection.
• Air cleaner or assembly, 1995 and older without a thermostatic air cleaner: changes are acceptable as long as all required emission controls are connected.
• Air flow sensor: EO checked during inspection.

A replacement air filter element is different. CARB's definitions treat it as a replacement part, and replacement parts don't need an exemption.

CARB's enforcement advisory lists air intakes among performance parts that typically need an EO, and CARB's exemption procedures include a category just for air intake kits and modifications.

What to research

1. What did you install? A full intake assembly, or just a filter element?
2. Find the label and part number. Look for the under-hood product information label and any marking on the intake itself. Check the box and instructions too.
3. Read the EO at CARB. Confirm your year, make, model and engine are listed, along with your exact part number.
4. Read the conditions. EO listings may describe modifications that are necessary for installing a part.
5. Check connections. BAR's manual says required emission controls must be complete and installed in the original factory configuration or a CARB aftermarket configuration. Ask your installer to confirm that hoses and sensors were reconnected as the instructions describe.
6. Save your records. Keep photos, the receipt and a copy of the EO.

Who decides

The Smog Check inspector makes the call at inspection. CARB can answer questions about an EO at (800) 242-4450, and the Smog Check Referee handles disputes.

What Showgone can and can't do here

Showgone keeps your intake's receipt, label photo, part number and EO number in one place and links you to check the EO at CARB. Showgone isn't CARB, BAR, the DMV or a smog station, and a Showgone record isn't an official certificate.

Add this part to your free Showgone garage.

Not legal advice.

Sources

• BAR: Smog Check Manual (April 2025), Section 1.3.1 and Appendix C
• CARB Enforcement Advisory #292 (July 10, 2020)
• CARB: Manufacturers of Aftermarket Parts
• CARB: Procedures for Exemption of Add-On and Modified Part(s) for On-Road Vehicles/Engines (adopted June 29, 2021), Section III(a)(2)
• CARB: Aftermarket parts lookup
• BAR: On-Board Diagnostic Test Reference (Referee contact)

Date checked: 2026-10-20