NOTE: This is just advice I came up with, this isn't real legal advice or anything. Laws do vary from state to state, and this is being interpretted using CA's exhaust laws.
You've been blessed with the unfortunate event of being written up for your modified exhaust. I was cited on June 16, 2006 by San Jose Police Department. The officer informed me that I had a correctable violation. I've read that some officers are not citing this as a correctable violation.
If the exhaust ticket you got written up for is a correctable violation, you now have several options:
- Put your stock exhaust on and get it written off
- Contest your ticket in court (if written up for 27150(a))
- Get it tested at a State Referee Center for noise compliance
- Ignore it and potentially make the problem worse
1 If you choose to put your stock exhaust back on to get it written off, then you don't need to continue reading. Many people, put their stock exhaust back on and once it is written off, put their aftermarket one back on.
2 If you chose to contest your ticket (grounds being written up for the wrong statute), extend the court appearance date, and prepare your case accordingly. I don't know how to contest a ticket if you get written up for violating 27151(a). But if you get written up for 27150(a), consider yourself lucky and the officer that cited you was a complete jerk. Know the differences in being cited for 27150 and 27151.
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Originally Posted by http://www.dmv.ca.gov///pubs/vctop/d12/vc27150.htm Adequate Muffler Required
27150. (a) Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.
(b) Except as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000) with respect to off-highway motor vehicles subject to identification, every passenger vehicle operated off the highways shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained so as to meet the requirements of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200), and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.
(c) The provisions of subdivision (b) shall not be applicable to passenger vehicles being operated off the highways in an organized racing or competitive event conducted under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body or by permit issued by the local governmental authority having jurisdiction. |
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Originally Posted by http://www.dmv.ca.gov///pubs/vctop/d12/vc27151.htm Modification of Exhaust Systems
27151. (a) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of the vehicle so that the vehicle is not in compliance with the provisions of Section 27150 or exceeds the noise limits established for the type of vehicle in Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200). No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an exhaust system so modified.
(b) For the purposes of exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA or less, when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1169 May 1998, complies with this section. Motor vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment. |
Some information my friend AR and I dug up was violating 27150(a) just means that you car was not equipped with an "adequate muffler", this does not necessarily mean "quiet" muffler, but could mean a muffler that was improperly maintained therefore creating more noise than it should suppose to. I was written up for 27150(a) and would present my case in court showing proof my exhaust was properly installed, in proper working condition (no holes or leaks), and did not output any more noise than it was designed for. Also, to further beat getting cited for 27150(a), I found this:
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Originally Posted by http://www.upgrademotoring.com/faq/chp_bulletin.htm Q5> Since Section 27150 requires that the muffler prevent excessive and unusual noise, can the driver of a vehicle be cited for violation of Section 27150 if it emits a sound different than the original factory installed muffler?
No. The prohibition against unusual noise refers to noises that are unusual for motor vehicles. Noise that may be unusual for a particular make or model of vehicle, but which is not necessarily unusual for other motor vehicles, should not be considered in violation, provided the noise is not excessive. |
3 If you believe your exhaust is quiet, by all means get it tested. If you KNOW for a fact your exhaust will no way in hell pass the noise test, don't even bother getting it tested otherwise you'll just be wasting your time.
If you think your exhaust has a chance of passing and would like to conduct the test yourself (before bringing it to State Referee), I have some information on it. It's really not that hard.
Items you need are:
- Another person to rev the car for you
- Sound meter (set on A scale and slow response)
- A small tripod
- tape measure
- compass or anything that will give you a good 45degree estimate
Here is a diagram of what your test setup should coincide with:
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Originally Posted by http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=173-58-080 Close proximity exhaust system sound level measurement procedure.
This section establishes specific procedures for the measurement of sound levels from exhaust systems at a distance of 20 inches (0.5 meter) from the exhaust outlet. The procedures of subsections (3), (4) and (5) of this section shall not be used for exhaust systems which utilize the introduction of water to the exhaust gas flow for the purpose of muffling the exhaust noise levels, or systems which exhaust the gas flow directly into water.
(1) For the purposes of this section "vehicle" means any motor driven contrivance used as a means of transportation or recreation off of public highways.
(2) Initial inspection. An initial inspection of the vehicle exhaust system shall be conducted to determine if the following defects or modifications exist:
(a) The absence of a muffler;
(b) The presence of a muffler cut-out, bypass, or similar device which is not standard or normal equipment for the exhaust system being inspected;
(c) Defects in the exhaust system including, but not limited to, pinched outlets, and holes or rusted through areas of the muffler or pipes;
(d) The presence of equipment which will produce excessive or unusual noise from the exhaust system.
If the above defects are observed and are a violation of the muffler integrity standards established for the type of vehicle which is being inspected, then a citation shall be issued in accordance with the enforcement section of the applicable regulation.
An evaluation of the vehicle sound level shall also be made by the enforcement officer, using the human ear as a sensing device.
If the exhaust noise is discernibly louder than the engine noise, or if any of the defects or modifications described above exist but are not violations of applicable regulations, the enforcement officer shall request the vehicle operator to submit the vehicle to any measurement procedures described in this chapter which are applicable to the type of vehicle being inspected. If the operator refuses to submit the vehicle to these measurement procedures, he shall be in violation of this chapter.
(3) Test site and instrumentation set up. The test site and instrumentation shall be set up as follows:
(a) The test site shall be a flat, open area free of large, sound-reflecting surfaces (other than the surface on which the vehicle is resting), such as signboards, buildings, large docks, hillsides, or other vehicles, located within a 16-foot (5-meter) radius of the vehicle being tested and the location of the microphone. The vehicle shall not be on a hoist, rack, or over a pit. Testing shall not occur within a shop or building. Nobody shall stand in the measurement area, except the observer and the vehicle operator.
(b) The microphone shall be at the same height as the center of the exhaust outlet if possible, but no closer to any surface than 8 inches (0.2 meter). The microphone shall be positioned with its longitudinal axis parallel to the ground, 20 ± 1 inches (0.5 meter) from the edge of the exhaust outlet, and 45 ± 10 degrees from the axis of the outlet. For exhaust outlets located inboard from the vehicle body, the microphone shall be located at the above specified angle and at least 8 inches (0.2 meter) from the nearest part of the vehicle.
For vehicles provided with exhaust outlets spaced more than 12 inches (0.3 meter) apart, measurements shall be made for each outlet as if it were the only one, and the highest level shall be recorded. If the exhaust outlets are less than twelve inches (0.3 meter) apart, a single measurement shall be made for any one of the outlets.
For vehicles with a vertical exhaust, the microphone shall be placed at a height of 48 ± 2 inches (1.2 meter). Its axis shall be vertical and oriented upwards. It shall be placed at a distance of 20 ± 1 inches (0.5 meter) from the side of the vehicle nearest the exhaust outlet.
For vehicles with the exhaust system outlet near the engine, the engine hood (if one exists) should be closed as much as possible to reduce engine noise.
If a measuring device is attached to the exhaust outlet and the microphone to maintain proper distance, insure that no vibrations from the vehicle shall be transmitted to the instrument.
(4) Vehicle operation. The vehicle shall be operated as follows:
(a) Controlled ignition vehicles. The engine shall be operated at a normal operating temperature with transmission in park or neutral. Sound level measurements shall be made at three-fourths (75 percent) of the RPM for rated horsepower ± 100 RPM of meter reading.
(b) Vehicles with motorcycle engines. The engine shall be operated at normal operating temperatures with the transmission in neutral. If no neutral is provided, the vehicle shall be operated either with the rear wheel or wheels 2-4 inches (5-10 centimeters) clear of the ground, or with the drive chain or belt removed. The sound level measurement shall be made with the engine speed stabilized at one of the following values:
(i) If the engine data is available, test the vehicle at one-half (50 percent) of the RPM for maximum rated horsepower ± 100 RPM.
(ii) If the engine data is not available, and if the vehicle has a tachometer showing the manufacturer's recommended maximum engine speed ("red line"), test the vehicle at 60 percent of the "red line" RPM ± 100 RPM.
(iii) If the engine data and red line RPM are not available, test the vehicle at:
(A) 3500 ± 100 RPM for engines with total cylinder displacement between 0-950 cc (0-58 in.3).
(B) 2800 RPM ± 100 RPM for engines with total cylinder displacement greater than 950 cc (58 in.3).
(c) Diesel engine vehicles. The engine shall be operated at normal operating temperatures with transmission in park or neutral. Sound level measurements shall be made at the vehicle's maximum governed no-load speed. If the engine is not provided with a governor, the vehicle shall be operated in the same manner as a vehicle with a controlled ignition.
(5) Measurement. The exhaust system sound level shall be measured as follows:
(a) The sound level meter shall be set for slow response and on the "A" weighting scale.
(b) The sound level meter shall be observed during the full cycle of engine acceleration-deceleration. The recorded sound level shall be the highest value obtained at the appropriate, constant engine speed as specified in subsection (4) of this section, and shall exclude peaks due to unrelated ambient noise, engine noise, or extraneous impulsive-type noise.
(c) At least two measurements shall be made, and the reported sound level shall be the average of the two highest readings which are within one dBA of each other. |
*NOTE* The State Ref did not give me two readings, and he did not monitor the db meter during deceleration (thank goodness! STi backfires have a looooow deep rumble)
If you administer the test yourself, you now have a rough idea how your exhaust will measure up during the actual test. You can chose a different option or continue with scheduling a real test with the State Referee.
Here is a link for
California's Vehicle Noise Level Certification
Currently, BAR has yet to issue a regulation to provide for the cost to consumers for performing the test. Tests are currently being performed at no cost to consumers. BAR has established a toll free number (800/622-7733) to accept phone calls from motorists who have received citations for excessive exhaust noise and wish to have the test performed. BAR officials have asked that cited motorists have the citation and vehicle registration information available when calling.
I don't know what happens should you not pass. I assume you are pretty much forced to put your stock exhaust back on and get it retested so that your vehicle exhaust is in compliance. However, if you DO pass (i love my RS*R), then you'll receive something like this from the State Referee:
4 If you ignore it, at least you have a fast car to get away from the cops.
07-21-2006, 08:58 AM
So you Got Yourself an Exhaust Ticket, now what? 
