1. A. Most 1975 and newer passenger cars and 1975 through 1978 light-duty trucks with a manufacturer's GVW of 6,000 pounds or less were originally equipped with a catalytic converter. Some passenger cars were not originally equipped with a converter until later model years, and 1979 and newer light-duty trucks with a manufacturer's GVW of 8,501 pounds or more may not have been originally equipped with a catalytic converter.

2. B. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Program for Converter Replacement.

   1. (1) If a vehicle is less than 5 model years old and has been driven less than 50,000 miles, any catalytic converter shall be replaced with OEM equipment.

   2. (2) If a vehicle is more than 5 model years old or has been driven more than 50,000 miles, an EPA-approved new after market catalytic converter designed for the vehicle may be installed on the vehicle. An approved, reconditioned (used) catalytic converter may be installed provided the catalytic converter is an original type for the vehicle and has been certified by an EPA-approved testing facility.

      Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
      (a) Inspect for presence of a proper catalytic converter.	(a) Catalytic converter is required and is missing or replaced with an unapproved catalytic converter.
      (b) Inspect for presence and condition of original air tubing from the engine to the converter.	(b) The original air tubing is missing, disconnected, or restricted.
      (c) Inspect for location of the catalytic converter.	(c) Catalytic converter is not installed in the original location in the exhaust system.
      (d) Inspect vehicle for exhaust systems modifications.	(d) Dual exhausts have been installed on the vehicle and dual exhausts were not originally available from the vehicle manufacturer.

Authority: Transportation Article, §§12-104(b) and 23-104, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: April 1, 1991 (18:6 Md. R. 686)