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> A late model diesel truck capable of "rolling coal" almost certainly has an emissions defeat device or tune, or has otherwise been modified. These devices are

by no-s 4y ago

> A late model diesel truck capable of "rolling coal" almost certainly has an emissions defeat device or tune, or has otherwise been modified. These devices are not always about trying to extract the performance lost to emissions control. However I tuned my diesel pickup to increase efficiency and torque which included what is known as an “EGR Defeat” and a “Texas Cat”. It’s registered outside of an enforcement area, however just for grins I ran it through an emissions check and dyno and it passed with flying colors without tweaking it for emissions. That’s because between the “tune”, the turbo, and now-mandatory everywhere low-sulfur diesel the emissions are way reduced. Mine is a pre-DEF model. I imagine it will produce substantial NOx if I gun it on a hot day with a heavy load, but that also results in 3MPG performance so I just don’t do that except when absolutely necessary. Not everyone is trying to choke people with black smoke, some of us “ranchers" just want to stop strangling on pointless micro-regulation that doesn’t fit the situation.

jamespo 4y ago
What do you need a pickup for?
- thowawayacount1 4y ago
- no-s 4y ago
  > What do you need a pickup for? At my age the time wasted by not having the right tool at hand stings bitterly. Especially when the job is absolutely necessary. Mostly use the truck for getting around to rural property off the paved roads where 4x4 and high clearance are necessary, or when hauling stuff is necessary (and diesel torque is often a virtue then). Another use is for trips when a lot of items (maybe additionally dogs and/or horses) have to come along. I often bring a bicycle to facilitate mobility and save on fuel economy (short trips are wasteful). I do a small amount of local driving, but it’s not unusual to only use the truck every other day or two. I might get an EV for short trips if the cost/utility model is favorable. I picked a model that was fairly common, durable, produced in large quantity, known for easy serviceability, and various other qualities I deemed relevant to me personally.
bedast 4y ago
I've repeatedly seen the argument that diesels are cleaner than gasoline engines. The problem is, their pollutants are just different. In Texas, diesel trucks don't even go through smog testing. Soot and NOx are toxic. NOx are greenhouse gases and contribute to pollution and climate change. You may not be trying to choke people, but you're doing it anyway by defeating emissions controls. You can justify it all you want, just make sure you understand the consequences. Those "micro-regulations" as you call them exist for a reason.
- no-s 4y ago
  > You may not be trying to choke people, but you're doing it anyway by defeating emissions controls. You can justify it all you want, just make sure you understand the consequences.Those "micro-regulations" as you call them exist for a reason. But that’s my point. I had my vehicle tested using the applicable defined protocols and it’s not violating the standard. I don’t think the regs are an adequate standard on NOx for urban areas, but it still passed when tested under simulated driving conditions. I didn’t defeat the sensor output (OBD-II interface) to pass testing, I just tuned it to report all the deleted gear was still in place (this turns out to be a feature in the vehicle config, so I didn’t have to hack anything). Otherwise it wouldn’t have progressed through the test. I wasn’t doing all that to get an emissions cert because I don’t need one, I just wanted to verify I wasn’t creating a monster...
  - bedast 4y ago
    It sounds like you got regulatory testing done. Again, regulatory testing of diesel emissions are highly lacking, and emissions testing tends to focus more on specific toxins and greenhouse gases. So, sure, maybe you passed regulatory emissions testing, but it doesn't mean you didn't create a monster. Connect a modified diesel to a Texas emissions testing system and it'll likely pass while it's spewing soot and other garbage.

by no-s 4y ago

jamespo 4y ago

What do you need a pickup for?

thowawayacount1 4y ago
no-s 4y ago
> What do you need a pickup for? At my age the time wasted by not having the right tool at hand stings bitterly. Especially when the job is absolutely necessary. Mostly use the truck for getting around to rural property off the paved roads where 4x4 and high clearance are necessary, or when hauling stuff is necessary (and diesel torque is often a virtue then). Another use is for trips when a lot of items (maybe additionally dogs and/or horses) have to come along. I often bring a bicycle to facilitate mobility and save on fuel economy (short trips are wasteful). I do a small amount of local driving, but it’s not unusual to only use the truck every other day or two. I might get an EV for short trips if the cost/utility model is favorable. I picked a model that was fairly common, durable, produced in large quantity, known for easy serviceability, and various other qualities I deemed relevant to me personally.

bedast 4y ago

I've repeatedly seen the argument that diesels are cleaner than gasoline engines. The problem is, their pollutants are just different. In Texas, diesel trucks don't even go through smog testing. Soot and NOx are toxic. NOx are greenhouse gases and contribute to pollution and climate change. You may not be trying to choke people, but you're doing it anyway by defeating emissions controls. You can justify it all you want, just make sure you understand the consequences. Those "micro-regulations" as you call them exist for a reason.

no-s 4y ago
> You may not be trying to choke people, but you're doing it anyway by defeating emissions controls. You can justify it all you want, just make sure you understand the consequences.Those "micro-regulations" as you call them exist for a reason. But that’s my point. I had my vehicle tested using the applicable defined protocols and it’s not violating the standard. I don’t think the regs are an adequate standard on NOx for urban areas, but it still passed when tested under simulated driving conditions. I didn’t defeat the sensor output (OBD-II interface) to pass testing, I just tuned it to report all the deleted gear was still in place (this turns out to be a feature in the vehicle config, so I didn’t have to hack anything). Otherwise it wouldn’t have progressed through the test. I wasn’t doing all that to get an emissions cert because I don’t need one, I just wanted to verify I wasn’t creating a monster...
- bedast 4y ago
  It sounds like you got regulatory testing done. Again, regulatory testing of diesel emissions are highly lacking, and emissions testing tends to focus more on specific toxins and greenhouse gases. So, sure, maybe you passed regulatory emissions testing, but it doesn't mean you didn't create a monster. Connect a modified diesel to a Texas emissions testing system and it'll likely pass while it's spewing soot and other garbage.