I'm curious why all of AEMs gauges state on the first page in the manual they are not legal for use on the street in California? I can understand this for an EMS or maybe a boost controller, but not a totally passive device like an oil pressure or vacuum gauge?

Other companies' gauges don't carry this caveat. Over zealous legal dept. or is there something to this?

 

It probably has something to do with distraction of driving

 

Maybe when you boot them up and get the light show, but certainly not any more distracting than a speedometer/tach when in operation??

 

Most aftermarket companies have it on their products somewhere, but its because they are products that don't have IHSTA backing, they are technically not legal. But no cop will bother you for it.

 

X 2, obstruction or distraction of view. If this is for your own knowledge then ok. But if you are skeptical of what to buy to build your car, I'd advise you to turn around and don't bother building. Parts may be or say 50 state street legal and blah blah blah, but you still won't pass a visual check. Therefore cops, especially here in CA, can and more than likely will hassle you and/or ticket you. Then again, they won't pull you over to begin with unless you do something stupid or really give them a reason to.

 

Nope, I'm not in CA, already have the gauges - just wondered why you couldn't have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge in that state?

You could certainly mount the gauge where it is not obstructing view.

 

Even though is not obstructing, it can be a distracting. Here in CA, we have the worse rules and laws regarding cars. I don't blame the state since we are over populated, especially here in SoCal, and produce a lot of smog. Smog is the state's main concern, which is why the state tends to be more strict than other states.