Whistle tip: Difference between revisions

Whistle tips, also referred to as whistler tips, or whistlers, are modified vehicle exhaust pipes that generate a deafening^[1] whistling sound during the operation of a motor vehicle,^[2] and they can often be heard up to even a mile away.^[3]

The whistle tip is a small metal plate with a central hole that is welded into the inner tip of the exhaust pipe. As air is forced through the exhaust system under pressure, it passes through the hole, generating a whistling sound.^[2] This fad began in Oakland and the origin of the technique reportedly began with A-1 Muffler, Brake, and Radiators, who charged customers $100 per modification.^[4]

Detachable, fitted whistle tips are also available.^[5]

As their sole purpose is to create very loud noises that often disturb the peace, whistle tips have received negative publicity from the public, especially among the residents of certain locations where they are prevalent. In 2002, San Leandro, California redrafted its noise ordinance to ban the devices and the Oakland Police Department began cracking down on them by interpreting state laws as including tinkering with mufflers.^[6] The Berkeley City Council^[7] supported a measure by Assemblywoman Wilma Chan (D-Alameda) introduced a bill into the California State Assembly in 2003 which would effectively ban whistle tips in California.^[8] The bill was passed 22-15^[9] by the state senate and then signed into law by Governor Gray Davis, going into effect on January 1, 2004. While violators will be subject to fines of $250 and businesses that install them can be fined up to $1,000, surcharges and enforcement fees will bring it up to $850 and $3,400, respectively.^[10][6] The ban has been outfitted by a California Department of Motor Vehicles prohibited listed as division 12, chapter 5, article 2, section 27150.3^[11].

Whistle tips gained popularity when a man who identified himself as "Bubb Rubb", real name Jonathan Worrell, was interviewed by Mark Jones of San Francisco Bay Area MyNetworkTV affiliate (then independent) KRON-4. In a humorous portion of the story about the tailpipe accessory, "Bubb Rubb" told the cameras that "the whistles go 'woo woo'",^[12] resulting in the clip becoming a viral video^[13] and "Bubb Rubb" and his acquaintance "Lil' Sis" becoming internet celebrities.^[14]