California impounds cars with lowered suspension?

[Tangent]

Actually, it doesn't sound fishy at all compared to the other Cali laws.

You know the exhaust law? If the cop thinks your exhaust is to loud, you can get a ticket... There is no actual db limit. It's up to the cop.
It's probably up to the cop's discretion whether or not it's too low/stiff as well.

-Erik

Actually that link to SEMA that was posted before had an item that specifically referenced this: The law is that the exhaust cannot be louder than 95dB under the specific test conditions. Problem was, it was up to the cop's judgement if it was too loud. Since '03 though there are over 40 test stations that will do the SAE J1169 test and issue you a certificate of compliance if you pass. (You can only get tested there after you get a ticket, so don't bother trying to get one preemptively) The test is free and if you pass you can get your ticket dismissed.

Back to the original post, I'm betting that either the dude was lying to avoid looking stupid by admitting that he got his ride impounded for something retarded, or the cop made up this law on the spot. Probably use a VC for something related to the suspension, like the one about the frame height, but said that it was for it being too stiff. A coworker just got a ticket for changing lanes in an intersection even though there is no law specifically prohibiting it. The cop probably wrote him up for the generic "unsafe lane change" even though the coworker claims it was perfectly safe with no other cars around. He tends to blast his radio and way above legal levels and this probably just gave the cop an easy alternative to a radio noise-level ticket... Either that or the cop is just as ignorant as most other motorists are on traffic laws and actually thinks that intersection lane changes are illegal. Kind of understandable since the CA driver's handbook tells you not to do it. (without citing a law) Then again, right after that it also tells you not to change gears while going through an intersection.

[Jean]

well lets say you have a factory porsche gt-3. A cop decides this car is to low because it has an evil stance, and a wing on the back.
That auto is a DOT approved car to be used on all us roads. What then???

I am sure COPS aren't interested in pulling over stock exotics for this reason...apples and oranges. imho

[Fanzotti]

that made me laugh a little bit:-D

TMMLALB

[SandyEggoE30Girl]

PC's rule like cop's that give tickets for stiff suspension.

that made me laugh a little bit:-D

[Fanzotti]

something smells kinda fishie here?

I mean there is no way an officer or a judge could tell if an auto is "TOO STIFF" unless said Judge or officer had expert witness to testify to the fact.
I mean there are so many new cars and trucks that have ROCK SOLID suspension that is DOT approved. And that being said as many of us know, if a car or truck has just had a suspension rebuild (using factory parts) it is very stiff for some time.

I know you are just reporting what was told to you fanzotti, and you know I respect you (for being a mac addict), but I have to raise the BS flag on this DUDE!

I hear ya. Tonight I'll be throwing some cocktails down so when I'm warm and fuzzy enough, I'll ask a cop about it. What he told me was, it's the cop's call, later on when you take it to the car technician/judge and he does all the tests if he finds it to be within spec they absorb the fines. The way I see it is: the cops see's aftermarket suspension, gives it a push to see if it's ultra stiff, See's if your sketchy and makes cop decision.

PC's rule like cop's that give tickets for stiff suspension.

[SandyEggoE30Girl]

well lets say you have a factory porsche gt-3. A cop decides this car is to low because it has an evil stance, and a wing on the back.
That auto is a DOT approved car to be used on all us roads. What then???

[erik325i]

something smells kinda fishie here?

I mean there is no way an officer or a judge could tell if an auto is "TOO STIFF" unless said Judge or officer had expert witness to testify to the fact.

Actually, it doesn't sound fishy at all compared to the other Cali laws.

You know the exhaust law? If the cop thinks your exhaust is to loud, you can get a ticket... There is no actual db limit. It's up to the cop.
It's probably up to the cop's discretion whether or not it's too low/stiff as well.

-Erik

[Jscotty]

Once out of impound you bring it to a judge who gives the final say on if it's too firm.

Hmmm.. So you get it out of impound, take it home, put the factory springs back on and then go see the judge and get your money back. Very convenient.

[SandyEggoE30Girl]

something smells kinda fishie here?

I mean there is no way an officer or a judge could tell if an auto is "TOO STIFF" unless said Judge or officer had expert witness to testify to the fact.
I mean there are so many new cars and trucks that have ROCK SOLID suspension that is DOT approved. And that being said as many of us know, if a car or truck has just had a suspension rebuild (using factory parts) it is very stiff for some time.

I know you are just reporting what was told to you fanzotti, and you know I respect you (for being a mac addict), but I have to raise the BS flag on this DUDE!

[Fanzotti]

Ok.. so your car is too low and too stiff and it gets impounded. Then what? Do they let you claim your car later or does it go to the auction? Or will they permit you to work on your car at the impound lot until its legal?

Dude told me this, and I call him dude because that was what he was. They impounded his truck for overly stiff suspension. He was getting the money together to get it out of impound. Once out of impound you bring it to a judge who gives the final say on if it's too firm. If it isn't The state re-imburses the fines, towing, storage etc. If not I'm guessing it's a fix it ticket and your rokking softer suspension.

[Jscotty]

Ok.. so your car is too low and too stiff and it gets impounded. Then what? Do they let you claim your car later or does it go to the auction? Or will they permit you to work on your car at the impound lot until its legal?

[atomic]

I see the real problem being cheap idiots who chop thier springs and the car sits on the bumpstops the whole time on blown shocks. I see that all the time around here in the IE.
A set of H&R race with billys will give more, and react normally while driving. A car sitting on the bumpstops is a danger all around it.

I can see also the truck guys who can drive with the frame on the ground or with hackjob set-ups being an issue too.

I never had a problem in my Miata which had stiff-low springs and adjustable shocks for autocross. I didn;t drive like a complete idiot on the freeway either.

Try to attract less attention, be smart when you drive, and be nice to cops when they pull you over. Set your car up the right way and it'll handle great.
98% of the time they won't mess with you. I only get pulled over when I'm driving too fast.

I see this probably as the problem here in this case as well. I see idiots all the time running down the road with their freaking rear bumper dragging the ground throwing sparks. This type of behavior would require stiff penalties and does destroy the roads. Also I bet he probably had some kind of attitude with the cop as well. Which probably aggrivated the situation as well. Always remember guys dont act like a smartass with a cop and you will more than likely be let off on a lessor charge or even a warning.

[ak96ss]

I would bet, though, that if you were running hydraulics and 26" gold-plated wire wheels, you would not pass either frame height or, if it is true, the stiffness test.

My first thought when I read this was that they were pursuing the low-riders, not a dropped suspension. If you've ever seen a low-rider driving down the road when he is not showboating, you'd know. They bump and grind over every undulation in the road.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

As soon as I saw this thread, I was asking myself if you still had your car.

But yeah... the more I read about CA, the less I'd like to be there with my own car. All these new laws are ridiculous.

My car is far from stiff.

It's the cushiest aftermarket ride you will ever ride in.

[NOMAD]

I see the real problem being cheap idiots who chop thier springs and the car sits on the bumpstops the whole time on blown shocks. I see that all the time around here in the IE.
A set of H&R race with billys will give more, and react normally while driving. A car sitting on the bumpstops is a danger all around it.

I can see also the truck guys who can drive with the frame on the ground or with hackjob set-ups being an issue too.

I never had a problem in my Miata which had stiff-low springs and adjustable shocks for autocross. I didn;t drive like a complete idiot on the freeway either.

Try to attract less attention, be smart when you drive, and be nice to cops when they pull you over. Set your car up the right way and it'll handle great.
98% of the time they won't mess with you. I only get pulled over when I'm driving too fast.