Is NOS legal?

ilya · 3 May 2001

Ok guys, sorry to harass all of you with all these NOS posts, but I'm trying to learn everything I can. Are there any good articles on the legality of using nitrous in your car? especially here in CA where the laws are hardcore.

I'd like to know my rights in case I get stopped one day and nailed for just having it. Has this happened to anyone on the board before?
I'm not someone that would ever use it unless it was safe to do so (open road, long straight, drive to vegas, etc.)

HapaHaole · 3 May 2001

You know.. I dont think it is legal.. I think by law you have to have a HAZMAT sticker if your on the freeway.. So if you get pulled over by CHP and they see / find it you can get fined for not having it..

(this is what a Police officer told me.. not 100% true)

Zishan · 3 May 2001

Nope...atleast not here in Texas! Cops never check unless you get caught racing on the streets. Then you get arrested and they tow your car! Im sure they search it!
Good Luck
Shawn

ilya · 3 May 2001

HAZMAT?

Edo · 4 May 2001

It is my understanding that NOS is indeed illegal for street use. But then again, when installed discreetly there is no way an officer can tell if you have NOS installed or not without searching your car, which he cannot do unless he A)has reasonable suspicion or B) a search warrant. I dont think a police officer can have "reasonable suspicion" that you have NOS just by seeing you speed. That leaves choice B) a Search warrant,which he will not have.
In conclusion, I would say if you do have it installed, just have it done very discreetly, IE: NOS bottle tucked up underneath the trunk, and switch put in place of one of your horn buttons.

nsxtasy · 4 May 2001

HAZMAT?

Hazardous materials.

David · 4 May 2001

The laws and the degree of inforcement vary widely by state. You need to check the CA state laws. Here in TX, it is technically illegal to use it, but I have never heard of anyone getting ticketed for it.

ilya · 4 May 2001

I have been looking for the last hour and haven't found anything related yet. I found the right page for CA law. It had a long list of lighting, brakes, exhaust, etc violations, but nothing about other modifications including nos. Only exhibition of speed.
They're pretty mean in some areas here to curb street racing. They hang around tracks waiting for modified cars to leave, then nail them.
I've been told of people getting exhibition tickets just for having something, not using it. Supposedly it's unlawful, but it's being done to try and curb all the racing going on (in the San Fernando Valley).

I guess it's irrelevant. I'll just keep everything out of sight and hope no a_hole officer having a bad day decides to search my trunk. I'm sure that most will not, but we all get real lucky sometimes.

Nsxotic · 4 May 2001

Bottom line, no beating around it..... NOS is illegal in every state in the country when used in a passenger vehicle for street use. But so is speeding and that rarely stops us either.

------------------
Todd Arnold

http://www.geocities.com/nsxcessive/index.html

HapaHaole · 4 May 2001

If you carry a Flamable / explosive material in your car on a califorina free way you need a HAZMAT sticker / sign so people know that if your car gets into an accident / fire then they will be cautious.

so It is illegal unless you get caught.. if you get caught.. then paint it red and say it is a fire extinguisher.

Look under california Code for HAZMAT materials on a freeway

Lud · 4 May 2001

Everyone seems convinced it is illegal, but I've asked before and nobody has ever been able to point me to any law which would actually make it illegal. Can anyone in this thread who says it is illegal come up with the code or statute making nitrous illegal??

I would not be surprised if it was somehow illegal in CA simply because everything is illegal in CA, but I haven't even seen the statute for them much less any other state.

Nitrous is NOT flamable, much less explosive. It only acts as an accelerant to an existing fire with an existing source of fuel. Nitrous alone will not burn.

When I had nitrous on my '91 there were plenty of cops who knew about it. None of them ever said anything.

NSXY · 5 May 2001

Lud,

Your comment that "...everything is illegal in CA..." is illegal to say in CA, according to our "Statutes of Funny Talks." Watch your mouth boy....

------------------
NSXY
95 NSX-T, 5 sp, Red/Tan, Stock, except Dunlaptya SP9000s

[This message has been edited by NSXY (edited 04 May 2001).]

[This message has been edited by NSXY (edited 04 May 2001).]

JoeSchmoe · 6 May 2001

Isnt this an emissions issue rather than a usage/speeding issue?

Perhaps they are just trying to keep the "dirty" non CARB approved setups off the road?

Is NOS legal?

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