Aftermarket exhaust legality

"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures) 05/26/2015 at 16:46 • Filed to: None

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This seems to be the law in Washington state:

No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the engine of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle not equipped as required by this subsection, or which has been amplified as prohibited by this subsection.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.as…

So... basically every aftermarket exhaust is technically illegal here?

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 16:51

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Only if it’s louder than what was on there stock.

So, yes. However, unless it’s ridiculously loud, you should be ok.

dogisbadob > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 16:52

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cool heads

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 16:53

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They can’t moderate the law. And if it’s really that strict, I’d get a valve controlled exhaust system.

Party-vi > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 16:56

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Sounds like you need some cutouts.

Roadster Man > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 16:57

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Sure, anything louder than stock is “illegal,” but I’ll bet you that very few police officers will actually enforce the law unless it’s excessively loud, or you sit in your driveway revving your engine in the middle of the night to wake up all your neighbors.

It’s against the law for me to drive without my front plate, but I’ve been driving for 2+ years without it. The standard around here is that nobody will get a ticket for this unless they’re already committing a moving violation like speeding. I have never been ticketed or warned for my lack of a front plate. And I’ve even been pulled over without the cop even noticing.

It doesn’t matter what the law is, it matters how it’s enforced. This is where having a cop friend is nice, you can figure out how they handle this stuff.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Roadster Man 05/26/2015 at 17:01

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It doesn’t matter what the law is, it matters how it’s enforced.

I disagree, because a time may come where the law is enforced 100% to the letter. For example, red light cameras, speed cameras, etc. To me, it’s potentially worse if a law isn’t enforced because nobody will do anything to change it.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Party-vi 05/26/2015 at 17:03

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Nope:

Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.

Also, “unusual noise” seems to be up to interpretation. I find the sound of a Nissan Leaf to be pretty unusual, and I’m pretty sure it doesn’t even have a muffler.

Ash78, voting early and often > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 17:03

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“First they came for the Flowmasters, but I didn’t have Flowmasters, so I said nothing.”

— B. Rubb

LongbowMkII > Ash78, voting early and often 05/26/2015 at 17:11

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Can I get a “WOO! WOO!”?

RazoE > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 17:15

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Same in California. Luckily my car has a nice semi-loud stock exhaust. Woot woot.

HammerheadFistpunch > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 17:15

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What you need to do is add whistle tips to your bumper in a manner that exhaust gas happens to flow through them. What you are doing then, is modifying your bumper.

jkm7680 > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 17:28

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Too fucking strict, since when did this become North Korea?

lone_liberal > Roadster Man 05/26/2015 at 17:29

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As somebody who got pulled over because of a missing front plate (it was in the windshield, the car was missing its front bracket when I bought it), I’d say it’s hit or miss.

Spaceball-Two > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 18:15

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If this is the case then SPD needs to get down to Golden Gardens and start locking fools up.

Roadster Man > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 18:34

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I’m talking about right now. I don’t have speed cameras or red light cameras in my state. It’s up to the cops until 1984 happens. Which I agree is coming coon.

Roadster Man > lone_liberal 05/26/2015 at 18:35

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That’s your mistake right there, half-assing it and putting it in the windshield. It’s all or nothing. And it does matter state-to-state. I’ll bet in Virginia they’ll pull you over for no front plate in the drop of a hat.

lone_liberal > Roadster Man 05/26/2015 at 18:41

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I think it also depends on the car. That one was a ‘72 Camaro and the cop followed me for 5-10 miles, after pulling a U-turn to get behind me, before finally pulling me over. I’m sure at that point he was sure he could nail me on something. He was probably pissed that all of my stuff was in order. In the end he just told me to get a bracket. This was in Washington (state).

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 20:04

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i have a friend with a De-catted RX8. He's had no issues with it, and he gives it "The rotary windout" on a daily basis. Yes, he lives in WA state. Yes, the car is registered in WA state (trick is to register it in unincorporated king County. that way they can't do shit!)

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 05/26/2015 at 21:04

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I wonder what a Nissan Leaf with straight cut gears would sound like.

*Assuming that they have some sort of gears.

Roadster Man > lone_liberal 05/26/2015 at 21:18

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Yeah, it definitely depends on the car... I don’t get much trouble in my Miata, I think they assume I’m harmess. A badass ‘72 Camaro? I’m sure they were just itching to nail you for something.