Noisy Cars

[Kiwi XTR2]

Here we go . . .

NZ Herald said:

Noisy vehicles face new testing rules

8.00am Monday July 3, 2006

Owners of cars with noisy exhausts may soon find their vehicles subject to an objective noise test.

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven says regulations allowing such tests kick in in three weeks. The move has been previously flagged.

He said noise-measuring equipment was coming into the country and would soon be available at nine sites. There would also be one travelling machine.

Noisy cars could be subjected to a test if they were pulled up by police, who would "green-sticker" them. The vehicles would then have to be taken off the road until they passed a test. At the moment cars undergo a subjective test as part of getting a warrant of fitness.

Mr Duynhoven said the Government intended amending the law so objective tests could be brought into the warrant of fitness testing regime.

Nothing quite like an informative article. So what are the noise limits ?

[kylie]

"subjective", meaning two laws! The husbands car when finished is going to be right in the crap! Unless of course Mr Plod/testing station has a Hotrod themselves and lets him off with it cause they understand Sounds fishy to me.

[Kiwi XTR2]

Found on the Beehive website -

The Minister's Office said:

While using existing regulation enables the objective noise test to be implemented quicker than rule-making, it does not allow for a review of current noise levels. Noise levels for the objective noise test have to be consistent with the current noise levels in the Traffic Regulations, which translate to a maximum of 95dBA for light vehicles and a maximum of 100dBA for motorcycles.

The noise levels in the Traffic Regulations are 30 years old and may not reflect changes in vehicle exhaust technology and manufacture that have reduced exhaust noise. This is why the Minister for Transport Safety has asked transport officials to amend the Vehicle Equipment Rule to provide for the objective noise test and a review of noise levels.

Amending the Vehicle Equipment Rule is the second stage of implementation.

So do I get the 95 or 100dBA limit?

The press release also states that if a car fails a test it will need to be 'repaired'. And if the car is in a perfect state of repair and no more noisy than the day it left the factory . . .

[GravelBen]

So 9 taxpayer-funded soundproof chambers around the country then is it? and one mobile soundproof chamber? theres no other way they can get an "objective" test of vehicle loudness.


Anyway, didn't half the police cars fail last time they tried to bring in compulsory noise-testing?

[GravelBen]

Kiwi XTR2 said:

Found on the Beehive website -

The Minister's Office should have said:

The speed limits in the Traffic Regulations are 30 years old and may not reflect changes in vehicle and tyre technology and manufacture that have improved vehicle grip, handling, brakes and safety. This is why the Minister for Transport Safety has asked transport officials to amend the speed limits to provide for more efficient use of our roading network.

Improving driver training and education is the second stage of implementation.

wouldn't that be nice?

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 3rd July 01:58

[Esprit]

GravelBen said:

Kiwi XTR2 said:

Found on the Beehive website -

The Minister's Office should have said:

The speed limits in the Traffic Regulations are 30 years old and may not reflect changes in vehicle and tyre technology and manufacture that have improved vehicle grip, handling, brakes and safety. This is why the Minister for Transport Safety has asked transport officials to amend the speed limits to provide for more efficient use of our roading network.

Improving driver training and education is the second stage of implementation.

wouldn't that be nice?

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 3rd July 01:58

Post of the year

[Izza]

So let me guess, there'll be 8 places in Auckland and one for the rest of the country?

:lol:

Seriously though, if some cop decides you car is too loud (maybe he just dont like you?) and your in, say, Kaitaia. You've got to get it to the nearest testing center, which in this case would prolly be Auckland?
And your not allowed to drive it there?

That's a few hours and a fair bit of expense.

Or I suppose you could wait a couple of months until the mobile unit is somewhere closer?

[Kiwi XTR2]

It is a GREEN sticker so you can still drive it to get tested.

Actually Auckland, by population, is fairly hard done by with only 2 of the 27 "Objective Noise Test-authorised LVV Certifiers"

My local will be Neil Fraser . . . you can just imagine his views on the subject

Anyone who wants to see the list can find it at LVVTA under Latest News.

[Dan M]

The test procedure is on the LVV website too.

www.lvvta.org.nz/Noise%20Emissions%20Std030706.pdf

Kiwi XTR2, you're ok as you have a standard factory exhaust, even though you don't have the 100dBA limit as your bike engine is held up by 4 wheels!

Dan

[Esprit]

Like has been said, there's no such thing as an objective test that's not either done in an anechoic chamber or at some other sort of reference location. Given that the buildings will be different in every location then the readings can be VASTLY different.... hell, if it's not atmospherically controlled you wait for a damp day then your noise level will be lower.

[Kiwi XTR2]

Dan M said:

Kiwi XTR2, you're ok as you have a standard factory exhaust, even though you don't have the 100dBA limit as your bike engine is held up by 4 wheels!

Thanks Dan

According to clause 2.6(1)(b)(vi) my test will be at 4,500 rpm (rather than 6,900)

And by taking advantage of clause 2.9(2) I, and all other mid/rear-engined cars, get another 4 dBA. So it would be 99 dBA anyway.

OK, I'm fine . . . close the thread . . . move along . . . nothing to see here . . .

[GravelBen]

As long as you get on well with your tester, section 2.6 d of that LVVTA link could be useful - basically the tester can choose an engine speed which he considers appropriate for the vehicle. "Hmm... Oh, I think 1500 rpm should do it "

[GravelBen]

Esprit said:

GravelBen said:

stuff

Post of the year

Awww shucks folks, I'm not worthy of such honour







I'd like to thank my mum, and God, and the famous five, and my fans, and.....sorry about that, won't happen again

[speedy_thrills]

Kiwi XTR2 said:

According to clause 2.6(1)(b)(vi) my test will be at 4,500 rpm (rather than 6,900)

Won’t some old diesels/classic cars be struggling to do 4,500rpm? (You can just imagine some spotty teenager trying to rev the crap out of a model T Ford). What happens if your cars revs are restricted before it hits 4,500rpm?

Soon you could have cameras set up to snap excessively noisy cars as they pass!

Edit: it’s going to be very difficult if your car doesn’t have a tachometer IMO.

Edited by speedy_thrills on Monday 3rd July 07:50

[Kiwi XTR2]

Don't you just love regulations . . . No, just me then

2.5(2) A tachometer used in the application of this standard may be either:

(a) a calibrated remote inductive pick-up tachometer issued by the LVVTA (Inc); or

(b) where a tachometer specified in 2.5(2)(a) will not enable a reliable engine speed reading to be received due to the type of ignition system used within the vehicle, a calibrated infra-red tachometer issued by the LVVTA (Inc); or

(c) where a tachometer specified in 2.5(2)(a) or 2.5(2)(b) will not enable a reliable reading to be received, the vehicle's original equipment tachometer.

[Esprit]

Graham.... IMHO, if you have a car like yours or any with an aftermarket ECU (like Dean, and hopefully me by chrimbo) fingers crossed, you just plug your laptop in before you go and set yourself a 3000RPM rev limit..... job's a good'un

[Kiwi Carguy]

These actuator controlled mufflers would do the job. There are a few designs/brands. Seen factory ones on a Lamborghini Diablo at Powerhaus. Neat concept.

http://translate.google.com/translate

Edited by Kiwi Carguy on Monday 3rd July 11:10

[Kiwi XTR2]

Esprit said:

. . . and hopefully me by chrimbo . . .

Hey George, you can't just throw that bait out and expect nobody to bite ! ! !

So what did you ask Santa for ?

I thought you were on the Exige 2008 plan ??


Now reel it in . . .

[Esprit]

Kiwi XTR2 said:

Esprit said:

. . . and hopefully me by chrimbo . . .

Hey George, you can't just throw that bait out and expect nobody to bite ! ! !

So what did you ask Santa for ?

I thought you were on the Exige 2008 plan ??


Now reel it in . . .

Oh yeah... Exige for 2008 for sure.... but it's not nearly exciting as you think.... may just be getting an Emerald MD-3K ECU for christmas for my current Elise.... will just allow me to keep better control over the engine given the better breathing it has now and also should give me another BHP or two.

[iwilson]

Esprit said:

Oh yeah... Exige for 2008 for sure.... but it's not nearly exciting as you think.... may just be getting an Emerald MD-3K ECU for christmas for my current Elise.... will just allow me to keep better control over the engine given the better breathing it has now and also should give me another BHP or two.

You're going to need more than a couple of hp to keep Dean and me honest George

You been following the KingK saga on Exiges.com and Seloc? I can't make up my mind if he's onto something or not. Prove will be in the pudding I suppose.