Hello out there,
I know this has to be a huge subject, so if anyone else in California has gotten a ticket for exhaust, please read my story and throw out any help that I can use in court...
I received my first citation last night for a "modified exhaust" 27151 of the CA vehicle code. I own a 2000 Toyota Tacoma Xtra cab V6 4x2. I had a Flowmaster 2 chamber exhaust installed on it about six months ago. I have driven by, past and next to many CHP and other officers in the past without them batting an eye. Last night I was on the surface streets of downtown Sacramento when I caught a red light next to a CHP. As the light turned, the officer dropped back to my left rear quarter (exhaust exists the other side) in the lane next to me and rolls down his window. Having a second red light, I did not even reach the speed limit (35 mph, but checking on that). He change lanes to get behind me and I already knew what was coming, so I changes lanes to the left because I knew I was going to get pulled over. As the next light turned green, he threw his lights on and pulled me over. The CHP officer told me he had pulled me over for the exhaust and asked for all the standard ID. I complied, being polite and I then mentioned that I thought that the noise level for exhaust was supposed to by 95 decibels. He then replied that anything modified over stock was illegal. Needless to say, I did not argue and he cited me for a modified exhaust. It had stuck in my head that the noise level for exhaust was supposed to be 95 decibels when I read about this same situation in Sport Compact Car. I'm glad I remembered SEMA. I was told it was not a "fix-it" ticket, though I was required to have it fixed and signed off by a CHP officer. I asked if it would be a dollar fine then and the officer replied yes. Do I have a leg to stand on here. Glancing the Vehicle Code I found that the noise limit had to be exceeded at 50 feet. The officer was 7 feet away and rolled down his window to listen. Any help would be greatly appreciated
I know this has to be a huge subject, so if anyone else in California has gotten a ticket for exhaust, please read my story and throw out any help that I can use in court...
I received my first citation last night for a "modified exhaust" 27151 of the CA vehicle code. I own a 2000 Toyota Tacoma Xtra cab V6 4x2. I had a Flowmaster 2 chamber exhaust installed on it about six months ago. I have driven by, past and next to many CHP and other officers in the past without them batting an eye. Last night I was on the surface streets of downtown Sacramento when I caught a red light next to a CHP. As the light turned, the officer dropped back to my left rear quarter (exhaust exists the other side) in the lane next to me and rolls down his window. Having a second red light, I did not even reach the speed limit (35 mph, but checking on that). He change lanes to get behind me and I already knew what was coming, so I changes lanes to the left because I knew I was going to get pulled over. As the next light turned green, he threw his lights on and pulled me over. The CHP officer told me he had pulled me over for the exhaust and asked for all the standard ID. I complied, being polite and I then mentioned that I thought that the noise level for exhaust was supposed to by 95 decibels. He then replied that anything modified over stock was illegal. Needless to say, I did not argue and he cited me for a modified exhaust. It had stuck in my head that the noise level for exhaust was supposed to be 95 decibels when I read about this same situation in Sport Compact Car. I'm glad I remembered SEMA. I was told it was not a "fix-it" ticket, though I was required to have it fixed and signed off by a CHP officer. I asked if it would be a dollar fine then and the officer replied yes. Do I have a leg to stand on here. Glancing the Vehicle Code I found that the noise limit had to be exceeded at 50 feet. The officer was 7 feet away and rolled down his window to listen. Any help would be greatly appreciated