I know CA is known for doing some stupid car related stuff but I think this one tops the charts. Crazy that WA is going to do the same.

https://autos.yahoo.com/california-w...151500884.html

 

I was expecting this to be emissions related. I had no idea brake pad composition was being regulated. This seems like a dumb oversite on GM's part. Regulating poison getting into the environment seems like a good thing for .gov to be doing though IMO.

 

Eh, that's heavy clickbait. They're not banning those cars, just the brake pads used in older model years.

It's not like this is some sort of last-minute, unavoidable surprise. Apparently the regulations have been coming since 2010:

People can still buy existing inventory of those cars. They'll also be able to order 2022 models, which have updated brake pads. They just can't place new orders for 2021 models that aren't already inventory.

If you absolutely must place an order for a 2021, not 2022 SS or ZL1 Camaro that isn't in inventory in those states, I guess you have to drive to a nearby state to buy it. Or just wait a few months and get the fixed model.

 

While its true they arent banning the cars completely, they are banning the sales of them until the issue is fixed. It would be smarter for GM to recall all of them and swap the pads out but doubt that will happen.

Not sure if you guys made it to the end of the article but it looks like tires are going to be the next thing on the list. Wouldnt be surprised if they banned all tires that cant make it 50k miles.

 

Makes sense. Once everything is electric its only tires and brake pads left that emit stuff into the environment. With regen braking, pads on electrics last a really long time too. Tires on the other hand....with all that instant torque I'm sure those will be getting a bunch of attention in the future. There are a lot of ethical/environmental issues in the rubber supply chain as well. In the future tire recycling "Retreads" are probably going to become more of a thing.

 

No. No its not.

 

So what, companies that have a fiduciary duty to maximize profits are going to take it upon themselves to spend more money and lose out on profit because they are good people? That is literally never going to happen. You might be cool with living in China conditions where they have to literally spray chemicals in the air to get the sun to shine but some of us want to live in a clean environment and not worry about breathing conditions and cancer.

 

The article says they only closed new orders for 2021 models. If the car is already in dealer inventory, it can still be sold.

The regulations are from 2010. They literally had an entire decade to prepare for this, but deliberately chose not to.

It's not like this came as a surprise to GM. If they cared about dealing with it, they would have changed the pads already. Given that cars still in dealer inventory can be sold, I doubt they're even going to miss out on more than a handful of sales before the 2022 models are available for order.

 

Bring back leaded gasoline!

Seriously though, there are plenty of studies showing significant correlations between living near heavy traffic and having various medical problems, particularly lung issues. It's not just engine exhaust. Brake pads and tires don't just magically disappear as they wear down. That dust goes airborne and ends up in people's lungs.

 

They dont list the exact models that wont be sold besides just saying SS and ZL1. I have a feeling its going to be more of the cars with the 1LE package that comes with the upgraded brakes. I am thinking you will still be able to get a base level SS. Maybe not the ZL1 though.

This is exactly why I moved as far out of town as I could. Houses in front of me, nothing but mountains behind.

 

i feel like most of it goes on my wheels, lmao

 

I always wonder how much particulate matter I ingest on a track day. It's always windy at our local track, so it's not as bad as some other places. Every time I leave an indoor kart place I feel like I'm covered in a layer of fine rubber dust.

At home I put some Coway HEPA filters around the house. The HEPA filters start out bright white and end up surprisingly black. I really notice the difference during allergy season.

 

i've thrown up after inhaling catless fumes working course at an autox in the past lol, but i'm pretty sensitive. we use hepa filters all over my parents house, my mom has some severe allergies/asthma.

you should see korea when the smog from china rolls in, it's insane

 

And I'm sure both of you make the most environmentally conscious decisions and only install long lasting tires, environmentally friendly brake pads, and certainly wouldn't ever consider tampering with the emissions systems on your Evo. Selective activism is so funny..

Some regulation is not a bad thing. Too much creates barriers to entry and reduces profits. There's a balancing act. The studies the article cites present the alleged offending chemicals as being "potentially" harmful and "possibly/sometimes" making its way into rivers, etc. I love making laws based on things that aren't concrete (/sarcasm). Being ok with all of these small pieces of legislation that seem innocuous will inevitably lead to us not having a viable hobby. (in b4 the slippery slope isnt real)

 

i think there's a real dichotomy between a hobby and more regularly driven cars. we have a prius that we daily, when we used to daily. even with my racing, i probably do less damage than most bmws that make 50mi+ round trips every day for work.

too many cars come with too much bull**** that is track oriented but the driver never goes on track. let them have eco pads and tires, if they want to be serious about track they're going to have to upgrade both anyway.

there is a great irony to california being home to so many amazing race tracks. i wouldn't be surprised if they are banned one day. texas may be more ideal for hobby racing in the future.