Do I need to file for changing from 19-inch to 20-inch wheels?
2 Answers
Changing from 19-inch to 20-inch wheels requires filing. Modifying wheel size requires filing: If the wheel size remains unchanged, filing is not necessary. Before modification, you can consult the vehicle management office to understand the situation. Otherwise, the annual inspection may not pass, and you may be ordered to restore the original condition. If you change to wheels of the same size, the annual inspection will generally pass, but the appearance should not change too much. Other modifications that require filing: Body color. Current policy: Any color change must be registered with the vehicle management office within 10 days. It is important to note that no more than two colors can be used, mirror paint is not allowed, and colors such as fire engine red, engineering rescue yellow, or the white and blue used by national administrative law enforcement agencies or similar patterns are prohibited.
I also changed my wheel size, upgrading from 19 inches to 20 inches. Generally speaking, this kind of modification doesn't require special filing with the vehicle management office. The regulation mainly focuses on whether the total tire diameter has changed significantly; if the new wheel with its tires can maintain the original outer diameter, it's not considered a violation. However, requirements may vary by local vehicle management offices. For example, when I modified my car last year, I found that some places would fail the annual inspection if the change exceeded 5%. I recommend checking local regulations before making the change to avoid being stopped by the police or encountering issues with insurance claims. Additionally, switching to 20-inch wheels makes the car look cooler and improves handling stability, but it might affect the suspension system and lead to slightly higher fuel consumption.
