Exhaust Laws

[BiggiePauls]

I was wondering if anyone knows the exhaust law for the State of Washington? A friend of mine just got a bullshit ticket for having an "Illegal Exhaust Modification" on his car. The cop said that any modification done to the exhaust is illegal. However I thought that it was a decibel rating system. Which is it?

[Legacy777]

It's decibel not decimal

[free5ty1e]

Wow... glad I don't live there. ...they don't take kindly to folk what have removed their catalytic converters in favor of a 3" exhaust system


Usually they're either concerned with noise level (measured in decibels or dB) or emissions (where they measure hydrocarbon concentration or something like that) - so was it the sound that caught the cop's attention or was it the smell?

Or was the cop just having a bad day? They like to take their frustration with those out on non-cops regularly.

It also helps to keep off the throttle while 5-0 is within visible range. Creep past the po-lice in all your fury at idle and they tend to mess with you less... or just keep 'em in front of you.

[BiggiePauls]

Now that I've got the typo fixed, is there anyone who knows what the law is for the state of washington? Also the cop didn't see us, he heard us while we were doing about 55 in a 35. So he couldn't ticket us for the speeding. So that's when he gave my friend the "Illegal Exhaust Modification" ticket.

[tris91ricer]

Exactly, biggie. See, he didn't 'see' you, so he had no recourse on the best possible ticket issuance, however, he DID hear your car, which made him want to pull you over. Either way, you were fuct. Washington doesn't really have any laws of that nature, from what I understand, but it sounds like you just ran into a cop having a bad day. ..or a migraine.
I would have your friend contest the ticket. Don't admit anything to the judge, just remind him that the officer needs to show up in order to have the case properly contested. I'd put money that he doesn't show . Meanwhile, mod your exhaust all you want, but keep it docile in the neighborhoods and near the popos. Probably stay out of that area, too, to avoid getting another ticket. Whereabouts was it, btw?

[Project_Legacy]

hmm dat sux. i thought i heard of a decibel rating before but it mite have just been talk. a lotta ppls i kno run no cat straight pipe exhausts that are loud as hell around here but none of them ever got a ticket for that before.

[BiggiePauls]

This all took place in the all too strict city of lynnwood.

[tris91ricer]

LYNNHOOD, ALRIGHT! Woo! Yeah, really, that place is ..not the best for modified cars, ask Art and Laurel, they could tell you more..
Mod your exhaust, that is all.

[Project_Legacy]

hmm. never been to lynnwood. hmm never been to any other place realli besides kent. its pretty strict there on hooked up cars as well. mainly becuz of the street races there.