Does increasing the wheel size by one inch affect the car?
2 Answers
Increasing the wheel size by one inch affects the annual inspection. The annual inspection requires the vehicle to remain in its factory condition, and upgrading the wheels and tires to a larger size is considered a modification. In stricter regions, it is generally difficult to pass the annual inspection. Below is relevant information about vehicle annual inspections: 1. Annual inspection rules: According to Article 16 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law Implementation Regulations," effective from July 1, 2018, motor vehicles must undergo safety technical inspections within the following periods from the date of registration: passenger vehicles for commercial use must undergo an annual inspection every year within the first 5 years, and every 6 months after exceeding 5 years, etc. 2. Rules for annual inspection labels: Starting from June 20, 2020, electronic vehicle inspection labels have been implemented nationwide. Electronic inspection labels for motor vehicles are issued through the unified national internet traffic safety comprehensive service platform.
I once increased the wheel size by one inch, and the result was indeed improved handling stability—the car felt more planted during high-speed cornering. However, comfort took a significant hit. Bumps on rough roads became noticeably harsher, tire noise increased, and long drives became much more fatiguing. Most importantly, the new size must match the factory specifications, such as maintaining the overall diameter; otherwise, the speedometer and odometer will be inaccurate, potentially leading to fines or affecting mileage records. Thinner tires are more prone to bulging or damage, raising maintenance costs, and tire pressure monitoring requires regular checks. In short, the changes may seem minor, but it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons—poor road conditions make this modification less ideal. I recommend test-driving someone else’s modified car first before deciding, to avoid blindly following trends that could harm your daily driving experience.
