Can 16-inch wheels be changed to 17-inch and registered?

[KeeganLee]

Yes. The following is the relevant introduction about vehicle registration: 1. Introduction one: According to the "Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles": Article 9 Those who apply to change the body color of the motor vehicle, replace the body or frame shall fill in the "Motor Vehicle Change Registration Application Form" and submit legal certificates and vouchers. 2. Introduction two: The vehicle management office shall make a decision to approve or disapprove the change within one day from the date of acceptance. For owners whose changes are approved, the owner of the motor vehicle shall submit the motor vehicle for inspection to the vehicle management office within ten days after the change. 3. Introduction three: The vehicle management office shall confirm the motor vehicle within one day from the date of acceptance, recover the original driving license, and reissue the driving license. For those who replace the body or frame, the vehicle identification code tracing film shall also be checked, and the origin certificate of the body or frame shall be kept.

[OBrynlee]

Changing the wheel size from 16 inches to 17 inches and whether it can be registered is not as simple as it seems, based on my driving experience. I once considered modifying my wheels and went to the vehicle management office to inquire. They told me I needed to check if the new wheels matched the original vehicle parameters, such as the overall dimensions not changing too much, otherwise it could affect the speedometer and annual inspections. To register the modification, you need to submit some documents, such as modification certificates and invoices. If the size difference is minimal and passes safety tests, it might be approved. However, there are significant risks involved. The braking system and suspension might not adapt well, and fuel consumption could increase. I recommend consulting a professional shop for an assessment first—don’t just go for looks and end up with problems. If the car loses control, it could be disastrous. In short, safety comes first—don’t prioritize short-term satisfaction.

[Dias]

I recently upgraded my car's wheels from 16-inch to 17-inch rims. To be honest, the registration process was quite troublesome. You need to prepare the modification receipts and the vehicle's basic information, then personally visit the DMV to inquire about the procedure. I remember it took me several attempts because the new size was slightly larger and almost failed the safety inspection. Fortunately, the new rims were standard specifications. My personal advice is to consider the impact on comfort before modifying. Larger rims may look cooler, but they increase road vibration and accelerate tire wear, leading to higher maintenance costs. If you really want to register the modification, check local regulations and don't cut corners. Otherwise, you might face fines during annual inspections, and insurance might not cover the damages. Honestly, it's not a big deal, but you need to be careful.

[DeTimothy]

Over the years working in the repair shop, I've seen many people change their rims, upgrading from 16 to 17 inches. In theory, this can be registered, but you must ensure the center bore and bolt dimensions match between the old and new wheels. Usually, you need to submit an application to the traffic management department to prove that the modification doesn't affect the vehicle's performance and road safety, such as ensuring the speedometer is correctly calibrated. In practice, small size changes are not a big issue; but if the change is too large, it can affect the chassis, increase braking distance, and pose safety risks. I recommend owners conduct compatibility tests before making changes or simply stick to the original factory size to avoid issues during annual inspections. The cost isn't high—just a few dozen yuan for the registration fee. The key is not to mess around too much to prevent the car from breaking down.