Dealership earns $175,000 fine for adding aftermarket "Fuel Maximizer"
Whether or not their intentions were to truly help their customers reduce their carbon footprint or save them money at the gas pump, Sunrise Ford has learned the hard way that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is serious about dealerships complying with regulations forbidding pre-sale modifications of engines. The auto retailer, with outlets in both Fontana and North Hollywood, received a $175,000 fine for installing a device called a "Fuel Maximizer" on light and medium-duty vehicles between 2005 and 2007. The do-hickey is said to improve both gas mileage and performance by altering the flow of air as it mixes with the gasoline before combustion, though we suspect that it is likely as effective as a dimple wrap.
It wasn't mentioned in the press release how much Sunrise Ford was charging for the device and its installation or whether they were offering customers a full refund and removal. Seeing as though the dealership's motto is "Where integrity has meaning!", we hope its management is at least considering it. Press release after the break.
[Source: California Air Resources Board via Green Car Congress]
PRESS RELEASE
Car dealership fined $175,000 for installing unapproved aftermarket parts
SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board fined Sunrise Ford, a car dealership with outlets in North Hollywood and Fontana, $175,000 last month for illegally modifying 2005 through 2007 model year light- and medium-duty vehicles with an aftermarket device before the vehicles were sold.
The part, called a Fuel Maximizer, is intended to improve gas mileage and performance in cars by changing the flow of air as it mixes with the gasoline before combustion. Discovery of the unapproved parts was made during a routine dealer inspection.
"We expect dealers to follow the law, which requires that certified aftermarket parts only be installed after a vehicle is sold," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Our air quality can suffer when careless mistakes are made, so we hope this fine sends a strong message."
It is illegal in the state of California to perform modifications on a new car prior to sale. Modifying car engines can increase harmful emissions and may lead to the vehicle failing California's smog test.
Per the terms of the settlement, Sunrise Ford will pay a total of $175,000 to the California Air Pollution Control Fund which supports research and programs intended to reduce California's carbon footprint.
California's air quality measures are in place to prevent excessive emissions that can negatively affect public health. Ozone, also known as urban smog, can cause difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughs, heightened asthma rates, cardiopulmonary ailments and premature deaths.
The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PowerCell 2:23PM (5/12/2009)
It's so funny to see this. I bought two F-150's from the fleet department at Sunrise Fontana back in 2006. The fleet manager, Bobby WIlliams, had a pile of these things sitting on the floor in his office. He said the dealership installs them, but he thought they were a joke, so he removes them before any of the fleet vehicles ever get delievered. Guess he was right...
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jzj 2:29PM (5/12/2009)
I would think that the intent behind the law empowering CARB to fine such entities against tampering practices is the expectation that the tampering is detrimental to emissions: here, I fail to see how installing this useless product necessarily resulted in emissions detriment. I recognize the implicit assumption, but I would think that some demonstration or at least theory of harm is required. For example, if a steel fuel line were replaced with a copper fuel line, there is no detriment, but it would be tampering under this strict definition. In law, there are concepts of "strict liability" and "presumption of harm": the application appears to be the former, whereas the latter would seem more appropriate. (That the dealer may have been participating in defrauding customers by charging for installation of a useless product is a separate issue.)
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Gordio 4:17PM (5/12/2009)
I think the other issue (besides potentially worse emissions) is that when you get a new car, it's not supposed to be modified. Modification of any sort, even a legitimate enhancement, depreciates the car's value.
Nick 5:38PM (5/12/2009)
It's still a big fine, $175,000 is a ton of cash the dealer has to come up with......especially in these times.
$20,000 would have been enough.
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Bill 11:43AM (5/13/2009)
As the HHO proponents have shown, you can indeed improve gas mileage by messing with emission controls to "lean out" combustion.
That does increase NOx emissions, however, so CARB would be unhappy.
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John 1:01AM (5/19/2009)
Well its funny I purchased a truck there and mine didn't have that on it. I was satisfied I got a great deal from there and that was my 3rd purchase from Sunrise Ford. Figures just another way for the government to make money in tough times, like the big 3 manufactuors and dealerships aren't having a tough time as it is with the Economy.
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