Pulled over for a "loud exhaust" (Fairfax County, VA)... I have a squeaky clean driving record so no, I wasn't speeding or driving recklessly... I was cruising at 35mph in the busy suburbs. I have a Tomei which is pretty tame in normal driving if you keep it under 3k. First thing he asks "Your exhaust is louder than all the other cars, is it aftermarket?" and I said "Yes, it's aftermarket and I passed inspection - I have a functional catalytic converter and no leaks so it functions exactly like the stock exhaust." He responded back with "it's still louder than all the other cars out here."

I have never been pulled over before. In my head I was thinking about all the motorcycles/harleys/trucks/domestics that are WAYYY louder than my Z. Was I profiled? I mean yeah, you can absolutely tell I have an aftermarket exhaust - the Tomei looks like a cannon back there... But I feel like he pulled me over to see if he could possibly hit me with other violations and just used my exhaust as an excuse after finding nothing. I showed him my silencer and told him I can install it in 2 minutes (in desperation) and it will really muffle the sound... he didn't buy it. He didn't even know what a silencer was.

Now on the ticket, it says my charge is "unapproved equipment (aftermarket exhaust)" - it says NOTHING about it being loud. If I passed my inspection/emissions then wouldn't that mean that it's approved? Also - is a silencer good enough to have the charge dropped if I snapped a pic and brought it with me to court?

 

Fight and hope he doesn't show up

 

Laws vary by state and municipality, so it depends upon your location. I really think sound ordinances are the most easily abused path to unwarranted harassment of law abiding citizens.

The local ordinance will have a decibel limit, so that’s what you will contest if you believe you are below the measurement. If you do decide to fight the citation, the municipality will likely have a means testing the noise your car produces (otherwise they wouldn’t be able to make a case).

 

Looks like his argument isn't how loud it is, but in regards to the exhaust itself. I don't know about where you live, but any after market parts are strictly illegal here. If you kept your box from Tomei, you would most likely find fine prints on it somewhere along the lines of "not recommended for road use".

 

Take a look.

http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/46.2-1049/

Your biggest problem is the open can muffler.

 

i dont think you will win

 

I live near you, and you won't win. Tint, exhaust, and tickets like this are easier to pay and forget. If you take the exhaust off and take pictures to court they'll waive it most times though.

 

Well I have a buddy (Suburu WRX) who said he went to court and showed a receipt of the silencer he purchased and his charges were dropped. If this is the case then I'll install the silencer, snap pics, and bring it to court. VA doesn't have a "decibel limit" so I guess they take it case by case. Worst comes to worse, I'll take a vacation day from work and pay the $90 charge if I lose.

If this happens again, then I guess I have no choice but to trade my Tomei for something that looks stock...

 

Sucks since we live in the same area. My ART pipes, XYZ, and Tomei are being put on today lol. Maybe I'll see you in court!

 

Wow that's one hell of a combo... I have a Stillen y-pipe and Berk test pipes ready for install so I'll definitely see you in court lol

 

Do you live in Fairfax County? I'm in Gainesville but commute to Herndon everyday. Going to avoid tinting my windows in hopes that it won't draw attention to my exhaust. State troopers love getting people for tint.

 

Yeah I do. I was driving through the Falls Church area. I also have 35% tint all-around but I don't think the officer noticed... that could have really effed up my day if he cited me for that too.

 

You gotta play dumb and just say that's how it came from the dealership, and then explain its because all the other cars on the road are garbage. And then ask if you can see his gun.

Ive been pulled over for bogus **** too they just are looking for other things but need an excuse to pull you over... Just fight it he probably wont bother showing up.

If you need to swap exhaust I have a borla thats quieter than stock I think... I like ti

 

Stop living in areas, and voting for people who make this crap happen or are OK with it being in the books. Just saying.

 

I don't want to live here, but it's not as simple to move away.

 

Throw the stock muffler "on" take pics and bring it to court. Say you passed inspection and assumed it was legal because of that.

 

the aftermarket exhaust doesn't make the car go faster anyway, just put stock back on

 

Not sure if just ****ing around?

 

Plea to the fifth...

 

You let me know when, I got a nice Gemini lined up for you