Section 305.20. Exhaust and air pollution control systems.

 

(1)  The exhaust system on every motor vehicle shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.39 , Stats.

(2)  Piping used in exhaust systems shall be of the rigid type. Convoluted pipe meets this requirement, but flexible tubing may not be used in the exhaust system.

(3)  Every exhaust system located so as to be hazardous to a person outside the vehicle or to a person entering or leaving a vehicle shall be protected in order to prevent such person from being burned or otherwise injured. The exhaust system location shall be considered hazardous if it extends beyond the body line for those systems where the exhaust pipes are on or extend to the side of the vehicle. A system where the exhaust pipes extend upward along the side or rear of the body shall also be protected in order to prevent persons from being burned or otherwise injured.

(4)  The muffler and all parts of the exhaust system shall be functioning and may not be repaired by an inadequate patch or improperly discharge fumes.

(5)  The tail pipe shall extend to the outside body line of the vehicle, except that light trucks may have the exhaust outlet extend only to the rear of the vehicle cab if the cargo area is not enclosed and used for passenger transportation.

(6)  The exhaust system may not be modified so as to pass through the passenger compartment.

(7)  All air pollution control equipment required by the federal clean air act and its implementing regulations shall remain installed or be replaced with identical or comparable tested parts. Air pollution control equipment originally installed by the manufacturer or identical or comparable tested replacement equipment may not be removed, disconnected or physically altered to be ineffective.

(8)  All air pollution control equipment required under sub. (7) shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with s. 285.30 (6) , Stats., and ch. Trans 131 .

History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482 , eff. 3-1-96; am. (6) and (8), Register, October, 1997, No. 502 , eff. 11-1-97.