Totally random... anyone know of a word that describes that hazy effect you see when cars are pumping out exhaust and the air gets all bendy?

Heat distortion?

Yeah, I mean that certainly works. But that describes a more general phenomenon. Don't get me wrong, I don't think a word exists for the more specific case I'm asking, just making sure.

Refraction?

The event of Heat exiting the tail pipe and distorting the light is exactly what's happening.

Heat distortion is probably the best way to describe what you're looking for. It's kinda like saying "water is falling from the sky" when it's Raining, but it works.

There just might not be a "name" for that... or there might be and we just don't know it right now.

... I just got off work so I'm not going to get into this any further but there is a lot I could say on this lol.

Moo got it.

yep, apparently refraction is the right term. i think more people would know what you're talking about if you said "heat distortion" though, hah.

Heat Haze is the officially excepted term for it, but it's caused by refraction of the light through the heated area as it comes to your eyes.

You could also argue for diffraction, or even a combination of refraction, diffraction, and reflection.

There's the heat haze rising from a car's hood, exhaust pipe, the pavement on a long road, an the horizon out in the distance.