Question from a Road Warrior reader:

I see cars with what I believe are illegal changes. Do you know if they are?

–Aftermarket tinting on windows.

–Tinting headlights/tail lights etc.

— Lifted trucks (like really high). May be illegal because I believe there is a section that says the lights and license plate must be a certain distance from the ground.

— Modified exhaust

— Radar detectors

–Crap glued all over cars

And what about black diesel exhaust out of pickups?

I hope you can help me figure out the answers. Peter

Answer from Petaluma Police Sgt. Ken Savano:

–Tinted side windows even with the driver and forward are illegal.

–Tinting over lights is illegal if the required distance the light must be visible from is not achieved (350 feet with high beams, 100 feet with low beams).

–Lifted trucks, his suspicion is correct. Headlights can’t be more than 54 inches off the road and no closer than 22 inches to the road.

–Modified exhaust: Must use California Air Resources Board certified and approved aftermarket parts.

–Radar detectors: They’re not illegal.

–Glued objects on cars: Not illegal unless obstructing vision.

–Diesel engines are not currently required to pass smog tests, although they soon will be. You can always report a license plate to the smog hot line, 1-800-END-SMOG.

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If you have questions for the Road Warrior, please email them to jim.fremgen@pressdemocrat.com. Thanks