Jeep’s ragtop Wrangler is something of a staple in California, whether it’s found on the rugged Rubicon Trail or prowling Venice Beach – but new “Cool Car” regulations aimed at curbing emissions and fuel use by reducing air conditioning power could spell the end of soft-top Wrangler sales in the Golden State.
The regulations put out by the California Air Resources Board will force automakers to install advanced glazing on glass designed to keep air conditioning systems from working too hard in warm weather. So strict are the regulations that they would turn glass moonroofs “effectively black” and would not allow for the flexible plastic windows used in the Wrangler.
Hardtop variants of the Wrangler could be made to comply with the regulations, but those models account for comparatively small volumes in Jeep’s warmer climate markets.
“The very popular Jeep Wrangler fitted with a soft convertible top uses flexible roll-up side windows which are not capable of meeting the side window standard,” Ross Good, Chrysler’s senior manager of government relations told CARB. “Outlawing the soft top would require us to use the hard-top vehicle with the hard windows, which would add significant weight to the vehicle.”
The proposed regulations are set to begin taking affect in 2012, although there is a “roll-in” period before the strictest requirements arrive in 2016. Beginning in just two model years, vehicle windows would need to be capable of preventing 45 percent of the sun’s energy from entering the cabin. That requirement would jump to 60 percent by 2016.
Although the regulations have not been finalized, CARB hopes to publish its completed regulation by the end of this month. The public will be given a 15 day comment period before the final laws are set by next May.
The glazing also affects signals from GPS and cell phone devices, according to Garmin International, the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association. The groups submitted a letter that warns that “more time was needed to assess the impact” and that ankle bracelets – used on parolees, cell phones, laptops and GPS devices “may be adversely affected by the metallic reflective standard.”
CARB is adamant about the benefits of the new standard despite the costs added to vehicles, which the board says would be recuperated in five to 12 years of normal driving.
“This is a common sense and cost-effective measure that will help cool the cars we drive and fight global warning,” said Mary Nichols, CARB chairwoman.
10/12, 12:54 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
Well I’ve always respected Cali for their stand on pollution… But this time they’ve gone too far!
10/12, 12:54 PM
posted by:
A4
*slaps head* **** YOU CALIFORNIA
10/12, 12:59 PM
posted by:
Fletch
Has California fallen into the Pacific Ocean yet? Well, now it’s time.
10/12, 1:01 PM
posted by:
dirtfarmer
what if the vehicle is a convertible or doesn’t have a/c or like most of the wranglers? Either way you aren’t using the a/c. Want to save some money and energy… close you offices CARB!
10/12, 1:11 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
What about those cars with plexi panoramic roofs? This is going to be interesting…
Oh, and Cali, this is totally NOT COOL.
10/12, 1:13 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I’m going to develop a car that uses cameras and plasma monitors instead of windows. It will require a freakin’ huge alternator and run at high revs just to run all the electronics, but the AC won’t have to work so hard, so CARB will be really happy.
10/12, 1:14 PM
posted by:
A4
If i lived in California I would organize a rally of everyone I could find with a soft top Wrangler.
Luckily I don’t. Nor will I ever.
10/12, 1:19 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Sometimes I wish Zorin was successful in flooding Silicon Valley…
10/12, 1:24 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
So… exactly when are the citizens of California going to stand up and say enough is enough? These new laws are totally absurd.
10/12, 1:26 PM
posted by:
hangonbig3
Why not just ban cars and trucks complely in Ca. Let them pedal or walk.
10/12, 1:28 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
Correct me if I’m wrong, but there are many other cars out there that also have the soft windows…like convertibles for example….will that mean they will all be screwed?
And anywayZ, if you have a “convertible” and it’s hot outside, USE THE DAMN THING!!!
10/12, 1:31 PM
posted by:
aesir
Lol @ California
That state is so broke and they keep coming up with more and more ridiculous **** pertaining to cars. Maybe they should start working on some of their real problems instead of focusing on air conditioning.
10/12, 1:38 PM
posted by:
cocojoe53
This should have been banned in 1946
10/12, 1:44 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
This is about as cool as an import, which means it’s for losers.
Be American. Buy American. buy GM
10/12, 2:13 PM
posted by:
vicdub85
It’s okay guys. California is going to legalize year by next year. Everyone will be too stoned to go out and drive around.
10/12, 2:14 PM
posted by:
vicdub85
*legalize weed
10/12, 2:16 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
Do they realize that cars sold in California put out cleaner air than they take in? (thats a fact btw)
10/12, 2:27 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
Oh, and that’s not to mention that I just read the bit about cell phones. How will that help with heating and emissions problems? HOW???!!!
Heres the full statement on this:
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted a regulation that will require new cars sold in California, starting in 2012, to have windows that reflect or absorb heat-producing rays from the sun.
Under the terms of the regulation, over a three-year period starting in 2012, windows in new cars sold in California must prevent 45 percent of the sun’s total heat-producing energy from entering the car, with the windshield rejecting at least 50 percent of the sun’s energy. In 2016 car manufacturers will be required to install windows in new cars sold in California that prevent at least 60 percent of the sun’s heat-producing rays from entering the cars interior, or propose alternative technologies to achieve an equivalent result.
The regulation is designed to help keep cars cooler, increase their fuel efficiency and reduce global warming pollution, according to CARB.
“This is a common-sense and cost-effective measure that will help cool the cars we drive and fight global warming,” said CARB Chairperson Mary D. Nichols. “It represents the kind of innovative thinking we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our vehicles and steer our economy toward a low-carbon future.”
The initiative is part of the state’s efforts under its climate change legislation, AB 32, enacted in 2006, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
According to CARB spokesperson Stanley Young, the regulations also apply to replacement glass. He advised the CARB staff also is working to develop a labeling system so that glass parts that meet the regulations can be identified accordingly.”
10/12, 2:38 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
But to bad GM couldn’t build something close to a Jeep. All we got is small China built CUV’s, and huge gas hog SUV’s which are not worth 2 cents.
10/12, 2:51 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
I can’t believe — wait, I CAN believe — that some of you morons would rather allow global warming than give up a tiny fraction of your motoring enjoyment. I remember when mandatory smog control devices on cars first came out — you should have heard all the low-lifes squealing like stuck pigs. And when California made motorcycle helmets mandatory, a similar horde of scuzz bags let out a whoop and a howl.
10/12, 2:59 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
Wait… so this sounds as if it affects all soft-top convertible cars as well. Given that most people don’t drive convertibles OR Wranglers you could make an allowance for a couple of models that absolutely are not designed with a hard top roof.
This doesn’t strike me as being a common sense measure when it’s a blanket regulation. As someone who has recently moved to CA I am continuously perplexed by much of the reasoning behind CARB’s decisions.
10/12, 3:04 PM
posted by:
save saab
Jeez California, why do you corrupt dumb@$$es focus on little tiny problems and not worry about the BIG problems. I’m also talking to you EPA, DOT, etc, for the NIssan Skylines being seized. What’s next? All import cars are deemed illegal because Government Motors thinks we would all be safe in a small boring box?
10/12, 3:07 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
Sucks to live in California. Shame this same kind “forward thinking” will be applied to the whole nation. Can’t the blue states and the red states just leave each other the hell alone?
10/12, 3:26 PM
posted by:
NRG
@howsmydriving. Did you not read the statement fully? Equipping the Jeeps with a hard top will increase weight. More weight=more gas and less MPG. How is that helping the environment??? Hmmm.
Anyway, CA has gone too far. 5-12 yrs to fully recover the cost? I don’t know about anyone else, but I have never driven my cars for 12 yrs. Maybe 7 yrs, give or take. Unless I receive a substantial cash amount recovery on this, a few measley dollars is not going to be very noticeable for me. In fact, I won’t even know I recovered the cost of this. How would I, unless I get an actual cash refund somehow. Like that will ever happen. You want people to realize the savings? Then give them the actual hard cash money they saved at the end of the period. That will have a more far reaching impact than just hot air.
10/12, 3:56 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
But wait… isn’t window tinting illegal in Cali? If so, how are the windows supposed to reflect or absorb the heat?
I guess the rest of us could do like some of the Mexicans here do… just mirror tint the windows… ain’t shyte getting though then!
10/12, 3:57 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
I’m really waiting for some manufacturer to stop selling their cars in California because the associated costs of developing more stringent emissions equipment and etc. negate any profits made from the sale.
10/12, 3:59 PM
posted by:
BIG-KC
Seriously? WTF. Air Conditioning BARELY affects anything. A/C off as not even 1mpg better than A/C on. I’m sure the gains added by the windows will be lost by the extra weight. More weight = lower mpg. And does CARB know that most cars are owned for less than 5 years? So they would never make up the price difference anyways.
dirtfarmer has the right idea. If CARB wants to save money and energy, close their offices.
10/12, 4:08 PM
posted by:
SloW8
Yourdrivingsucks,
People who believe that climate change is caused by people are morons. It is natural. The temp of the earth has varied lots over the years. We were in a warming phase. You have no control over it. Quit fighting it. DB.
10/12, 4:11 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
SloW8… so every recognized scientific group on the planet is wrong then?
It is true that the earth’s climate does shift through warming and cooling phases, however the excess CO2 and other pollutants being pumped into the atmosphere by man is exaggerating the process.
10/12, 4:22 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
GM has been using something like this for many years in their windshields, in that between the windshield is a barrier for blocking out heat. It kills radar detectors though.
In Florida I can’t live without tint on a car, so it does help. Perhaps they should just grant an exclusion for the Wrangler.
10/12, 4:23 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
Oh, and for the stupid NMOFGM imposter, you don’t do it right, no one is laughing at you, so shut the **** up.
10/12, 4:31 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I hope you know that there is ALSO no proof that points to “increased” CO2 as being the cause of “…warming!”
The earth’s orbit around the sun is changing…very slightly,
more concrete is replacing “green space”,
more ground is covered up each and everyday…buildings and such trap heat, which naturally gets transfered to underground temps which are cooler…causing the internal temp to increase…which alters oceanic temps,
more trees are being cut down(absorbs heat and keeps the ground cool),
more factories are being added(good god!),
the Ice-age isn’t over yet!! It is still in it’s “digressing stage”…which no one knows for sure how long it will go before it comes back(how much ice will disappear before earths orbit alters back enough for the temps do decrease(natural cycle))
You can’t put a finger on one certain thing. If we could, the argument would have been over a LONG time ago!
Altering Co2 immersions will have no effect at all…it’s natures course…while humans try to alter it…
I’m sure if we entered an ice age, we would be blaming it on something else…which WILL undoubtably happen
10/12, 4:36 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
i’m all for green stuff…and as a scientist, slow8 is a dip****…but aside from that, california, please stop f*cking with my beloved wrangler, for god’s sake…
10/12, 4:42 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
let me ammend that, idronor has slipped into dip**** status too…buildings transferring heat to the oceans? what?…to say that there is “no proof” that increased co2 affects global warming is quite irresponsible…there is, in fact, quite a correlation…unfortunately, like politics, people will believe what they will without paying any attention to the data before them…
don’t try to duke it out with me on science, kid, you’ll lose…
10/12, 5:04 PM
posted by:
441Zuke
**** YOU CALIFORNIA. HOW ABOUT YOU WORRY ABOUT YOUR STATES ****ED UP BUDGET BEFORE YOU WORRY ABOUT MY CAR.
10/12, 5:22 PM
posted by:
Smegley Wanxalot
LWA, the only problem with that correlation is that is is NOT cause and effect, but rather effect and cause. But let’s not let that get in the way.
Hell, I can correlate anything I want. Did you know that then vanilla ice cream sales go up, rapes increase? It’s true.
10/12, 6:37 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
Oh god… A debate on global warming…
Can’t you people just argue over Toyota vs GM or something?
10/12, 6:53 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Smegley, are you saying that after people are raped, they suddenly choose vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate?
10/12, 7:08 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
Wouldn’t the solution be just to offer all 2016MY Jeep Wranglers WITHOUT ANY TOP AT ALL?? The aftermarket would then step in and provide soft tops for these predominantly OPEN TOP vehicles. I still fail to see the point of this being forced on all cars when vehicles like the Wrangler are pretty much designed as open ****pit vehicles.
The regulation makes sense when applied to: Coupes? Sure. Sedans? Sure. “Hard Top” Convertibles? Why not? And trucks and SUVs. Even Bus lines.
But soft top convertibles and 4×4 open top off-roaders? Give me a break, CARB. All vehicles ARE NOT THE SAME VEHICLE!!!
10/12, 7:11 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
Wow. LNN censors my posting when I am clearly referring to the interior and driver control area of a vehicle and not a crude slang name for a certain male body part. That’s very classy on their part, especially when my word is in Websters with a totally unrelated definition and has three more letters.
10/12, 7:19 PM
posted by:
save saab
I’m sorry Hyperion but I’m laughing because LLN censored ****pit.
10/12, 7:21 PM
posted by:
save saab
Oh boy it censored that word to me too.
10/12, 7:34 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
I’m pretty sure it’s automated.
10/12, 7:49 PM
posted by:
Sgt Pepper
Hyperion your on to something. Why not just sell the wrangler as a hard top and offer the soft top as an aftermarket part for off road use- wink wink-. you take the car through inspection and put your hard top back on. Ive owned four wranglers ,two with a hard top, and taking the top on and off isnt hard.
10/12, 8:08 PM
posted by:
ktulu
cali seems 2 hate cool cars
10/12, 8:34 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
leftwingagenda,
just because you don’t know doesn’t make me the dipsh!t, it makes you! Learn about heat transfer related to new cities “dip****!”
10/12, 9:38 PM
posted by:
aggie531
wow thats lame california. try again
10/12, 11:08 PM
posted by:
Me
Wow leftwing, where’s the humility you want to see more of in all of us? I see you’ve resorted to the high and mightiness tactic in defense of your ego. “don’t try to duke it out with me on science, kid, you’ll lose…” Who’s chest pounding now? OOOOh, look everyone! A scientist! Hey, Dr. Venkman, I’m not a scientist, but I am an engineer and I’ll go toe-to-toe with you on climate or politics. Bring it. Until then, you and your lib friends in Cali should just turn off your ACs to save the planet. There’s a power button and if you look hard enough, you should be able to find it.
10/13, 12:03 AM
posted by:
elantra_touring
Well the law is really stupid, however I am happy that these POS Wranglers will be banned. These are death traps to begin with, look at their safety ratings, But its ok the people driving these kind of cars are the ones we dont need in our society. I cant stand when they take the doors off their 4 door wranglers and drive around the city like they are so cool in a cheap a$$ jeep. If you have one use it for the one thing its good for please and thats off-roading.
Thanks
10/13, 12:08 AM
posted by:
status
I just love liberals. They get so bent out of shape when someone doesn’t agree with their “progressive” ideas.
If we all just moved to the moon I guarantee the planet would continue heating up just the same.
10/13, 12:12 AM
posted by:
status
hey elantra, this is america. we can do those sort of outrageous things here.
10/13, 12:23 AM
posted by:
ghettocowboy
hahaha, Cash for Clunkers Round 2 because those Jeep (or Cheap) are nothing but clunkers
10/13, 1:38 AM
posted by:
wideopenthrottle
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why Cali is so f**** up right now. Don’t they have better thing to worry about? Such as a massive budget shortfall, annual natural disasters, and oh yeah, they are slowly sinking under the pacific ocean. Clearly putting a reflective coating on auto windows to reduce A/C workload is priority #1 right now.
10/13, 5:56 AM
posted by:
A4
Nobody with a Wrangler soft top uses the god damn A/C regularly anyway. If it ain’t raining, put the top down.
10/13, 10:02 AM
posted by:
moparsalesman1
This is a bunch of CRAP!
10/13, 10:26 AM
posted by:
Sgt Pepper
Wow elantra. i guess that means we should all drive the same car as you wouldn’t that be great and if you dont need people like me in YOUR society who would protect your sorry ass since alot of Wrangler owners are fire fighters and law enforcement. “OHH someones breaking in your house. Lets get the officer who owns the VOLVO to respond. OH wait he is off today. Just forget it he doesnt need us. WHAT A DIP SHT.
10/13, 10:50 AM
posted by:
A4
hahaha elantra tourings are gay.
10/13, 1:41 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
I fear the day when morons like Elantra_touring run this society, and I’m told I don’t “belong” because I ride motorcycles and I think carburetors are cool… I’d rather have a society of people running around in topless Jeeps than elitist @$$holes running around in Hyundais!
10/13, 7:38 PM
posted by:
elantra_touring
HAHAHAHAHA A4s are unreliable crap. Is you dash lite up for X-MAS yet? or are your dash warning light on year round?
10/13, 9:21 PM
posted by:
rpmfan
@ howsmydriving, Global warming? It’s mid-october and here in new england we’re already talking about freezing temps at night this week. This past summer wasn’t all that hot either. It was decent, but I don’t think we got over 90 more than 6 times.
Get this, meteorology as we know it today has only been practiced for 100 years. We do NOT have factual evidence of what the weather was like beyond that. So NOBODY knows.
Btw, I’ll be thinking of all you global warming tools tonight as I’m freezing my rear end off due to the cold weather in the morning when I leave for work at 4am.
10/13, 9:36 PM
posted by:
elantra_touring
rpmfan
Great comment! It would be funny if they banned soft top cars there in new england cause in winter and cooler temps you would have to use more heating thus using more fuel. Well if you had govener Arnold that may be on his agenda.
10/14, 2:42 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
A couple of months ago, I was scoffing at global warming. My friend informed me that we had just gone through the 4th hottest July on record in Las Vegas, and three of the other five were since the year 2000. He said, “It’s because the Earth is getting warmer!”
I replied, “Is it really because the Earth is getting warmer? Or is it because the National Weather Service moved their weather station back in 2000 from Nellis Air Force Base 20 miles south to McCarran International Airport, where the temperature is a consistent 6° hotter?”
10/14, 7:44 AM
posted by:
A4
WOW you posted the illiterate dash light comment on THREE different articles? At least stay fresh with the unreliability “jokes”… if you want to call them that.
10/14, 7:47 AM
posted by:
A4
rpmfan – many people are also saying that the cold air is an initial result of global warming – as the ice melts cooler waters create cooler temperatures for the interim. I currently couldn’t give two ****s about saving air conditioning in a car for the sake of global warming, but that is the big argument for cooler temperatures.
10/15, 1:07 AM
posted by:
sxrcamaro
I for one am so sick of this global warming sh*t. Look where i live i cannot wait until i have a tropical climate bring it on! Now with that said when can we start cutting down and regulate industiral polution and industrial emissions? you never hear about that and that is in large part the problem!
10/15, 8:05 AM
posted by:
BrazilianA3
CONVERTIBLES SUCK!
Since the air conditioning became mainstream, buying a convertible has no practical purpose. It´s just a stupid status thing.
10/23, 6:10 PM
posted by:
h82w8
Look out guys… it’s the state of CA reshuffling those confounded chairs again. Maybe if we CA residents could choose someone who doesn’t just masturbate mentally all day long, we might actually solve problems.
Nah, that’s too hard. Let’s just keep beating off in Excramento. Turds.