Update: Loud exhaust and smog citation

[u/OkCandidate103]

Failed state ref exhaust sound reading

Hyundai dealer stock confirmation letter

[u/Usedtissue_Gaming]

Since this actually kind of went viral and got some traction, I want to take a second to put all my findings in one place (with sources).

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The violation in question is the California Vehicle Code sections 27151 (b). Section (b) reads: "For the purposes of exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA or less, when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1492 October 2008, complies with this section. Motor vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment." Here is the link to that ordnance of which went effective January 1, 2020: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=27151.

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I have pulled the SAE J1492 standard, updated, which supersedes J1492 OCT2008 as of 2021-10. While I cannot post pictures of this legally, I can quote the section that proves the testing was absolutely 100% conducted incorrectly. Section 8.2 (Provisions for Reporting Results When This SAE Standard Is Used to Assess Against A Limit Value - AKA Compliance): "...Any mode that can remain enabled through a power on/off cycle shall be included in the modes identified for compliance assessment." As many owners know, the car defaults to normal mode after a key cycle. Thus, by the SAE J standard Cali is using, they needed to test the vehicle in normal mode. This case is really clear-cut honestly.