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Yeah did he tell you why you guys were getting pulled over? Or did he pull you over to give you a heads-up?
i mean A you need to be doing something illegal to get pulled over. As long as you have a front license plate, a decently quiet exhaust, and don't speed, they CAN't pull you over for anything illegal.
B. Know the laws. If you get pulled over for an exhaust and the cops tells you you have to pop your hood, he is lying to you. Flat out lying. And they WILL do that to you. If you comply, you waive your rights. Exhaust has nothing to do with emissions, it is only noise violations. (assuming you still have a cat).
C. Be polite. "Im sorry sir, but there is no reason to pop my hood and go through that hassle. I will do it if you have a search warrant and i have to, but otherwise its not worth my time and i feel i am being stereotyped/profiled." He may say that your exhaust is probable cause "I'm sorry sir, but if you feel my exhaust exceeds the legal dB limit, i will go get it tested to verify it is or is not legal. There is no emissions controls on an exhaust system therefore i can't figure out how you can attribute that to what is under my hood."
Seriously it may take some balls and shit but hell let him detain you... if he goes through your car without your consent it is technically illegal. And a court will uphold that. Its your privacy and you are legally protected unless there is probable cause that leads to an illegal modification. One thing may be an Intercooler or Boost gauge. Dont have those visible on the street. Nothing else points towards a modified engine.
Well this is how i was exlained it by a police officer friend. She even printed out a section of the law that states motor vehicle operators do not have to grant a search of their car or engine bay unless probable cause to obtain a search warrant is present. Something along those lines. If its late at night and the cops needs a search warrant, he needs to call a judge. And probably wake him up. And if he has shaky reasons that are not solid for your modified engine (ie a profile of how your car LOOKS is not probable cause) the rudely awoken judge will most likely be less than happy.
Again, this is all coming form my cop friend. When you get pulled over they may blatantly lie to you or intimidate you. Don;t give in. You dont have to.
All in all its a risk driving a modified car (which is stupid... SRs pass emissions with better numbers than many LEGAL engines. People shouldn't feel scared driving something personalized and unique.. what a society... tsk tsk.) Its like DWB (Driving While Black). Its sad that it happens, but cops TOTALLY profile and stereotype. Especially with modified cars and/or minorities.
Anyways, drive safely and responsibly, have a clean, non ghetto, car with plates and current registration, and you should not have any problem. And go to court if anything happens. This would be fun to watch:
Judge: "How fast was this man driving in the 40 mph speed zone?"
Cop: "37 mph sir."
Judge: "So why did he get pulled over?"
Cop: "Um, because we all got breifed on modified cars. And his fit the profile of possibly having something illegal done to it, but it was not apparent until i could pull him over and have a closer look."
Judge: "So what were you looking for? Drugs? Bodies?"
Cop: "Well not exactly. Modified intake system. Japanese engine. Turbo."
Judge: "...."
I mean its illegal to do some of the stuff they do. Let them know that YOU know that.
Be safe.
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