The fines are not that here in Cali, I know a guy that got popped for it in more then one truck. They hit him for 2k per vehicle. The IRS wanted there money that they had not gotten to, so he had to pay retro tax on what he had pumped prior. Small trucks never get dipped around here though, that is unless someone turns you in, then the gustapo comes looking for you to dip your tank. You are running a risk by using it, but it is not likely you will get dipped. Our CHP, puts a little white swab on the end of a stick, and if it comes out red, then your hosed. You like the pun? Anyway, I would never admit to using it online at this point even if you do decide to use. The cops are getting smart and using chat rooms like this one to prosecute you, trust me I know. The DMV gave me a big ticket, and used something I had said online to hang me. I did get it dismissed though, the ******** lost! It was not for fuel usage though, don't ask I don't want to talk about it.
BTW, they are not looking at the inside of your tank color, if the fuel isn't red, they don't write a ticket. The tank color is not a factor in the least, that is a wives tail.