Here’s how to determine if a muffler is legal or not

MANILA: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a clarification that standardizes the crackdown against illegal muffler modifications.

The agency issued Memorandum Circular MVL-2026-5050 following complaints about varying interpretations and inconsistent enforcement of rules and regulations on modified muffler usage.

Based on the recently-issued memorandum, compliant mufflers have valid Philippine Standard marks or import commodity clearance stickers and do not emit excessive or unreasonable noise. 

Other stories: CALAX Subsection 3 now open TRB allows toll collection for CAVITEX C5 Link Segment 3B MMDA to suspend number coding scheme tomorrow

Earlier, the agency shared that the noise emitted by exhausts or mufflers shall not exceed 99 decibels taken at an engine speed of 2,000-2,500rpm.

In taking the sound level, the meter must be positioned at a 45-degree angle to the exhaust center line, parallel to the ground, 0.5 meters to the rear of the exhaust outlet, and at the same height as the exhaust outlet.

Further, LTO Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao ordered that no apprehension for excessive noise shall be effected without proper sound testing documentation.

Also read:

LTO suspends special plates issuance

LTO addresses certificate of registration delay

Will Lexus PH bring in the LC500's 'final' version?

Connect with us through our various social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZigWheelsPhilippines

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zigwheelsph/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zigwheels

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZigWheelsPhilippines/