I looked under the hood...
I looked in the door jam...
Didnt find any info.

 

There should be a white sticker showing the emissions diagram. At the bottom of the sticker, it should say something like either "This vehicle meets Federal emissions standards" or ""This vehicle meets California emissions standards". At least it did on the 4th Gen.

 

In front of the engine, there are a number of plugs in line with each other. 2 = fed spec. 4 = california spec. They're for the o2 sensors.

 

Well I would first check your sticker if you have your original sticker. It will say "50-state emissions control system" if its the Fed/NLEV one, and it will say "California Emissions" if CA.

The easiest way is to pop the hood and look. Someone around here ought to be able to tell you how to visually tell the difference. As I recall, there are some wires coming out of the air intake area -- and you can tell what system by the number of wires.

/aac

 

I've got a 1997 & we couldn't find a computer for it at all because we didn't know it had California emissions but on the computer it had a sticker on it that said it, so if all else fails then look at it. (Center Dash)

 

Just curious, under what circumstances would an emissions label be removed...I'm thinking maybe the hood was replaced?

 

I've been trying to figure this out for my car too.

 

Starting with the 2001 model, there are no longer any "California" cars, they all have the same emissions equipment, which is essentially California.

On a car prior to 2001, look at the options tag located under the hood on the firewall. On a 4th gen, this is an aluminium plate rivited on the passenger side. On a 2000, this is a white plastic sticker just to the driver's side of the center.

On the tags you will see the VIN number and below that is the options line. Count over to the 12th character.
U = non California, USA
V= California
N = Canada

 

I though all 2001 are california emission. at least according to this http://forums.maxima.org/3568683-post2.html

 

The US government created different standards than they had been using and ordered car manufacturers to start using them on the 2001 model year vehicles. The new specs were modeled after the California specs but were slightly different and more strict. Technically they are not California cars but using the term allows some people to better understand.

 

I see...does that mean when let's say you are buying the y pipe for the exhaust. do you buy the cali spec or the fed spec?

 

There are no longer two versions. There is only one emissions standard used in the U.S. so the "Do you have a Cali car or a Fed car?" does not apply to cars built since 2001. One part fits all.

 

i guess i'm a still confused. let me ask another way.
on cattman.com which y pipe do i get?

 

You want to get the "50 State" model, YG5/CA. But before you order it, check the tag under the hood and verify that you have the letter U. Then you can call Cattman and ask them which one. Also ask them why the photo for the 2 y pipes are the same.

 

This.....

 

Is my 2000 maxima a FED emissions or CALIFORNIA emissions?
I need an o2 sensor but need to know which emissions my car is.
Thank you!