I have a used 2000 TL. Written on my engine is 3.2 VTEC ULEV. For those of you who don't know what ULEV stands for, it's Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. Do all of you with 99-03 TLs have ULEV written on your engine? If not, does this mean my car is a California designed low emissions vehicle? I live in CT, and bought the car from a private auction (in CT), so I was wondering if a California car somehow made it all the way to the east coast. Also, do the California TLs have less hp/torque because of the emissions restrictions? Thanks!

 

I believe that if you look under your hood at your emissions sticker, it will say something like "This vehicle complies with Federal emissions standards for 2001 model year." OR "This vehicle complies with California emissions standards for 2001 model year." I may be wrong, but I think that is how you will tell if your car is Federal or CA emissions car. The ULEV designation started in 2000 on all TL-Ps. I have a '99 and mine does NOT say ULEV. Hope that helps.

 

EDIT -- didn't read right, because I was talking on the phone at the same time.

But yes, all UA4 and UA5 engines, even the Type-S, are ULEV status.

 

nobody answered this, so i had to bring it back...do they??

 

The Type S is not ULEV. Just LEV.

 

99's are LEV only...

 

better put, do the TL's with ULEV have less power than that of one that doesnt??? is it more fuel efficient?? can i drive in the carpool lane cuz i have this??

 

even an hybrid car can't be using carpool lane without the proper sticker, and vice versa; meanning taking the sticker somewhere and put it on a type-s will give one the right to use carpool lane.

 

Not all showed the plaque though that said ULEV on top of the 3.2. My 2000 did not





And thizz_i_izz, No you cant drive in the car pool lane cause your car says ULEV.

 

really?? im not gunna go out n do this, but if one were to get a ticket for thisand i later showed the court that my car is a low emissions vehicle u think i could get the ticket dropped? the carpool lane sign does state low emission vehicles are permitted to drive on the carpool lane (here atleast)

 

what is the point of the car pool lane? im not familiar with that

 

basically if u have 2 or 3 people (depends on what the sign stated) in your car u can drive on this special lane on the far left side of the freeway...and people withless cannot...why? because youre "sparing the air"

 

In NY, you have to have a "clean pass" vehicle to drive in the HOV lane ( high occupancy vehicle) Cars such as hybrids, and gas/electric cars. ULEV cars are not permitted. Check with your state.

 

where can i check??? city hall?? cuz i know the employees for the city have hella honda civics that got that sticker on em...always see em on the carpool lane

 

California-sold TLs ONLY had the ULEV badge on the engines.

All other 2nd gen TL's were LEV, not ULEV.

 

Thats what i thouhgt. Ive only seen that badge on cars from cali

 

My TL says ULEV on the engine; however, it was leased new from Ardmore Acura outside Philly...then was turned in, went to the Orlando auction and finally ended up in Ft. Walton Beach, FL where I bought it at the Acura dealer there......so basically my car was not a CA car. Maybe Acura designed so many ULEVs for CA and if demand shifted elsewhere, they just sent the cars wherever else needed.

 

I have an 01 TL-P ULEV and mines from alaska

 

First the question of ULEV in carpool lane. Check the ca dmv website for info on special decal allowing use of carpool lanes. It does cost 50$ or so- probably more this year
It list the approved vehicles- does not remove you from paying bridge toll unless you meet the number of passengers rule.

You would be amazed at how many used TLs are now in California that spent 3 or 4 years in New York or Florida- then as lease returns, went to aution and transported across country.

The emissions sticker that says Federal or California standards for the model year ****
is the only way to tell.
Ca. used to charge a large fee for cars brought in from out of state.
That has been dropped since now all cars meet or exceed Ca standards


The CARB California Air Resuorces Board remains the nationwide standard for approval of aftermarket cats and carbs -intakes etc.
If your special part does not have that stamp/number- its not legal.

 

Hey,

I still have unlimited carfaxes for the next week or two. If you want, PM me your VIN and I'll run the carfax and that'll tell you where your car is from.

 

I looked at the California DMV website and learned thate NO Acura meets the rules for the carpool lane-clean air vehicle sticker.
The only Hondas allowed are 1 litre CNG powered or theHybrid-Electric Civics
One of the rules is must get 45mpg!!!

So although we do contribute less emisssions- there is now a SULEV standard !!!!

driving alone in the carpool lane will get you an expensive ticket you cant fight
Dont risk it! Or get a friend. With rising fuel prices on the way again- it should be easy to find ride sharers

 

mine doesn't have it written either.