Are F-Types Illegal in California?
 

https://bar.ca.gov/Consumer/Referee_Program/Vehicle_Exhaust_Noise_Level_Certification.html

I stood next to my V8 on the dyno, our stock exhaust is way louder than 95db, which is decribed as a motorcycle at 25 ft or a jetliner one mile away.

Way louder.

I don't think that standing next to the car during a dyno run is the official protocol :/

Your link mentions "specified conditions" but doesn't specify what those are. The second California statue listed refers to an SAE measurement standard, and the link I found for that says it is "steady-state conditions" and "It is directed at the assessment of vehicle exhaust noise and is not intended to determine maximum vehicle sound levels."

The most important piece of all this is that they are looking for modified or degraded systems.

I reckon the get out is "when tested under specified conditions".
So a drive by test at some specified speed/revs (with the loud button off) and not by the side of the car while revving the bejesus out of it on a dyno.

Edit - Steve got in first, as usual I type too slowly!

The law is AB1824, it doesn't look targeted only at modified exausts to me, although they are targeted too...
​https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB1824
​​​​​
"Existing law requires every motor vehicle subject to registration to be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise and prohibits a muffler or exhaust system from being equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device. Existing law further prohibits the modification of an exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner that will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of the vehicle so that the vehicle exceeds existing noise limits."

Put it this way, I had to stop filming due to the intense ear pain shortly after the airfoil deployed.

I'm not for banning loud things, as it would make jet airplanes and jack hammers illegal, which is obviously stupid and needless control freak behavior. This is just another assault on CO2, the vital substance that feeds everything green.

The muffler was deemed adequate at the time of sale, so if inspection confirms that it's unmodified, the ticket should be dismissed. The troublesome part of all this is not the part you're focusing on, but the standards for issuing a citation. The officer doesn't have to make any measurements on the road, and puts the onus on the vehicle owner to prove conformance. I expect this will not lead to too many unfair citations, although some nuisance citations will certainly be issued.

I get that, but the F-Type and many other gloriously loud cars predate the new testing protocol. And it is only recently being enforced as reported by many enthusiasts hammered with $1000 fines.

Why were you not wearing hearing protection of some sort? Seriously, why not?

The other shoe drops. We're back to this. <sigh> It is true that carbon dioxide is consumed by plants, but that's not the whole story.

Also, this is not an assault on CO2. It's a reaction to obnoxiously loud *modified* vehicles.

Can you cite those reports, with certainty that the reporter is being truthful about the lack of modifications?

I already showed it definitely applies to all registered vehicles in CA. It also prohibits a bypass switch, which many F-Types have.

I don't care about my hearing, its long gone from military service. That doesn't make F-Types quiet.

CO2 is absolutely vital to everything green, that is the whole story. The only anti-CO2 logic values the utterly selfish comfort of man over the health of all green life on Earth.

Mods are irrelevant to the primary law, which restricts all CA registered cars. The law goes onto say you cannot mod an otherwise compliant car to make it non-compliant.

It also says no car may have a muffler bypass switch or similar, which seems to go after the common practice of manufacturers defaulting to a quiet mode to skirt the law.

I found an edmunds.com noise test using equipment that couldn't register a noise louder than 100db. The F-Type R still managed 101.

That depends on what a "bypass switch" is. If the loud setting passes the test, the valving doesn't bypass that, but adds extra muffling.

It also doesn't make continued exposure to damaging sound levels smart. You should do more research on hearing damage.

Are you being deliberately obtuse, or are you just grossly misinformed/underinformed? Consider that even oxygen can kill people under the right conditions.

See my previous comment about what a bypass is.

That cannot be an accurate statement.

We have a thread on the Pantera owners forum regarding this ordinance because so many of our cars exceed the law's limits and so many of us are in CA. It's a problem though most think that police agencies have enough on their hands to put much effort into enforcement We'll see soon enough as my Pantera makes an F-type sound like a pussycat, so if anyone gets pulled over first, it will most likely be me, unfortunately.

Sorry dude, looks like we're both screwed.

I found another test rating the F-Type R at 104db.

After a little more research, several States are more restrictive than CA. Michigan is has a noise limit of 80db maximum. Sweet Jezzus, control freaks everywhere.

It seems like a bad strategy to depend on arbritrary enforcement of the law. It would be better to fight it. People love to complain about others having fun, then they hop on a jetliner that's 10 times louder.

But who cares anyway? A better law would be, no one shall waste State money on stupid.

We elected Moonbeam Brown as governor twice and now Gruesome Newsom, there will be no way to fight this back successfully in this state. It will be 4th gear driving at low speeds for in town driving to keep rpms and therefore noise down. California ought to be called the SNOWFLAKE STATE not the SUNSHINE one.

​​​​​​Maybe you could make a stupid legal argument like... you have a God-given right to Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? You know, something dumb like that.

That argument doesn't work in this state or New York. Leadership doesn't believe it.

Yeah, the current majority intends to punish the minorities at every turn. I think its pretty clear after a little more research that they have made F-Types, and lots of other celebratory automobiles, illegal. It's just a matter of time until the goons come after car/Americana lovers like you. Good luck avoiding prison.

And if you don't see them? Pay your $1,000 fine and "repair the car" at their whim, because enthusiasts are not as enthusiastic as non-enthusiasts.

From the official CA Exaust Noise Referee website (referee centers are located "within state certified community colleges, " so good luck with that):

....

What happens if I get ticket for too loud exhaust?

If your vehicle exhaust is too loud, you will be ordered to take it to an official Referee Center – Bureau of Automotive Repair Smog Check Referee Program.

1. First step of this process is to make your vehicle’s exhaust compliant with laws.
2. Next, schedule an appointment with California Referee Center. You will need your traffic ticket, and vehicle registration information for this.
3. At this point the Referee Center will conduct an exhaust noise test:
   1. If Referee Center’s test determines your vehicle is still not within legal noise limits, you will be required to repair it before attempting another test.
   2. If your vehicle is under 95 dB, you will be issued a “Certificate of Compliance”. This certificate must be presented in traffic court.

More information about this process can be found on California Bureau of Automotive Repair website (BAR). BAR does not issue preemptive compliance certificates.

There will be financial costs incurred even if your vehicle is compliant. It’s best to avoid getting a traffic ticket altogether. In case the Referee Center determines your vehicle’s exhaust noise is not over the legal limit, the court can dismiss your citation.

How much are exhaust ticket fees?

Penalties for illegal exhaust depend on type of exhaust modifications and your location. Minimum fine for a first conviction is $25, with a total fee of $193. Fees can climb up to $1,105 in some cases.

You can view exact fines and penalties for unlawful exhaust modifications in California’s Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules(PDF document; see page 26).

Are mufflers required in California?

California Vehicle Code 27150. (a) requires all vehicles to be equipped with a muffler at all times. If you can keep your vehicle’s exhaust noise low enough you may be able to avoid attention from police. However, if you do receive a ticket you will be required to install a muffler before your vehicle can be compliant with California exhaust laws.

From the CA Referee website:

How loud is 95 decibels?

For comparison, vacuum cleaners or chainsaws operate at about 70 dB. 95 db is an approximate sound of:

• a lawn mower
• the inside of a subway car
• plane flyover at 1000 feet
• food blender less than 3 feet away
• car horn at 10 feet

You can do a quick decibel test using a phone app. Decibel X for iPhone and Sound Meter for Android are some of the more popular ones. Note: we have not reviewed these apps are are not affiliated with them in any way.

Noise meters for phones are generally not very accurate, but can be helpful in determining approximate noise levels. For accurate noise level meter you can see BAFX Decibel Meter on Amazon. Unfortunately it costs $20, but it’s a small price to pay for avoiding a $1000 traffic ticket.

Wow. The country is falling apart and they waste time and taxpayer $$ on this nonsense.

If the factory exhaust system is operational and intact, that should be the end of it. All manufacturers comply with federal law and EPA standards.

But no,the nanny state knows better and will force you to do what they deem good for you.

Yes indeed. History has shown that appeasement does not work.

First, CA implemented the "Emissions Referee" and now you have "Noise Referees." If you let this clamp-down go, you'll have the "Smell Referee" and eventually the "Pursuit of Happiness and Fun Referee."

Bottomline: the anti-ICE actists are far more effective than auto enthusiasts. So say goodbye to cars that green-up a plants with life-essential CO2, as long the EV cult lives in extreme fear of the ICE, even if that turns out to be a wrong concern.

I know I make light of the "green" movement irrationally lashing out at everything green to assuage their abject terror of future air conditioning bills, but they are effectively ruining our the automarket with this barrage of absurd anti-ICE regulations, so auto enthusiasts better wake-up soon.

:icon_troll:

Are F-Types illegal in California? One would have assume the answer is yes if one pays attention to the news and social media these days. It appears from all reports that the only thing still legal in Commiefornia are illegals. As someone else posted recently on this forum: WAD.

I'll be moving to South Carolina in about a year when I retire. Thank God!

I am in no way worried.

If your car is stock, life is dandy in California.

Seriously, think this through, do you think the entire state of California (home to Silicon Valley and Hollywood) have legitimately made all sports cars illegal? C'mon now.

Bingo. The ol' noise ordinance has been there for over 40 years. We are also "required" to run front plates, can't tint our side windows to any reasonable level and the speed limit is 70 on I-5. I haven't run a front plate this century, my side windows are tinted to 30% and I have had CHP flash their lights on me to move over when I had the cruise control at about 80 mph.

This is how they test

Rev to 3500 with the exhaust in quiet mode....not a problem.

Except that "bypass swiches, or similar" are now illegal.

What changed is that as of January 1st 2019, if you get cited for noise, using the cops ears only, you have to get through the referee's test or you cannot register your car.

I'm still not worried. The sky is not falling.

So much misinformation about this law.

Regardless, my SVR measured 124 dB from 3 feet away during cold-start with VAP catted downpipes. :)

The only thing you need to know is CA is using snarky, community college interns as referees with crystal clear guidance to fail you on at least two counts: noise and bypass switch.

How did Californians let this go so far into the gutter without a fight? And sadly, as the world's biggest former-sports car market goes, we all go.

So much misinformation in this thread. Willful ignorance and trolling, too, with perhaps some artificial outrage.

I'm going to go grab a Cold One that's calling my name. Cheers!

No, they use a decible-O-meter.

Is this for real??
 

good call. way too much worry over nothing in this thread... If the vehicle has not been modified, it is not illegal. Period.
Now the new law is quite confusing as written, but the operative verb in the legal requirement for citation is "modified".

Found this thread pasted below in another forum that is directly on point. Sorry for the length, but poster "jps" is an attorney that clearly has dissected this new law and has figured out the lack of applicability to vehicles with unmodified exhaust... If you happen to get cited by an officer, take your car to the dealer first, and have them certify or otherwise put in writing that your vehicles' exhaust system is as designed and manufactured by Jaguar for sale in California; that no modifications have been made to the exhaust system; and the stock exhaust indeed contains a muffler and the entire system is in excellent working order.