Will Traffic Police Stop You for Installing Four Small Yellow Lights on the Grille?
4 Answers
Installing four small yellow lights on the grille will definitely attract the attention of traffic police. Small yellow lights are classified as special lighting, similar to police lights or other emergency lighting, and are prohibited for non-special vehicles. Moreover, they pose safety hazards. Therefore, if spotted by the police, you will likely face penalties and be required to remove them immediately. Legal car modifications include the following: 1. Replacing wheels of the same size: You can change the wheels as long as the vehicle's length, width, and main structure remain unaltered. However, the wheel size must match the original factory specifications and must not extend beyond the fenders. 2. Changing the car's color: National laws permit individuals to change their vehicle's color. However, if the color change covers more than 30% of the body, you must visit the vehicle management office within 10 days to take new photos and apply for a modification. Additionally, you cannot use colors reserved for official vehicles (e.g., police cars, fire trucks, ambulances) or opt for reflective mirror finishes or "chameleon" colors. 3. Installing roof racks: The installed roof rack must not alter the vehicle's length, width, or main structure. The height of the rack should not exceed 30 cm, and it must be securely fixed. 4. Adding side steps: Side steps can be installed, but they must not change the vehicle's length, width, or main structure. 5. Replacing the grille or bumper: You are allowed to replace the grille or bumper as long as the vehicle's length and width remain unchanged. 6. Interior modifications: Compared to exterior modifications, interior modifications are more lenient. Examples include installing carbon fiber trim, an Alcantara steering wheel, upgrading the audio system, or adding leather seats. 7. Headlight modifications: As long as the color remains unchanged, the color temperature is below 6000K, and the lights are equipped with bi-xenon projectors to prevent glare (ensuring they do not affect oncoming drivers), the modifications are legal and will pass annual inspections. 8. Brake system upgrades: This includes replacing performance brake pads, rotors, or even calipers. Upgrading the brake system within reasonable limits not only enhances aesthetics but also significantly reduces braking distance and improves pedal feel.
I remember seeing quite a few such cases when helping out at the auto repair shop. Installing four small yellow lights on the grille is considered a clear modification of exterior lighting, which is punishable according to traffic regulations. Last year, I helped Old Zhang remove similar light bars from his off-road vehicle. He said he was directly stopped by traffic police at a highway exit, fined 200 yuan, and ordered to remove them on the spot. These small yellow lights, if positioned too high, can easily dazzle oncoming drivers, and if angled too low, they completely waste their brightness. If you really want to improve lighting, it's better to modify compliant fog lights—yellow light has strong penetration and is much safer. In some places, such modifications might even fail the annual inspection, forcing you to spend money to restore them. Why go through all the trouble?
Having been into car modifications for seven or eight years, the most frequent advice I give to beginners is to avoid messing with exterior lights. Those small yellow lights stuffed into the grille might look cool, but they come with serious hidden dangers. Last year at a car meet, a buddy driving a Wrangler got into trouble because of them—his headlights suddenly short-circuited and started smoking, melting the bumper. And the cops will definitely crack down on it! These non-factory lights mess with visibility, making other drivers misjudge your position in rain or fog. If you want better lighting, upgrading to high-transparency lamp covers is a more practical choice. If you must add lights, I’d recommend getting professional fog lamps with magnetic mounts—easy to remove during inspections.
When I first got my driver's license, I also considered installing a grille light. I visited two modification shops, and both talked me out of it. The experienced mechanics said traffic regulations clearly state: any alteration to the original factory light type, position, or color is a violation. Small yellow lights most commonly exceed the color temperature standard and have direct angle issues—getting caught means 3 points and a 200-yuan fine. Moreover, installing lights on the grille affects the radiator's air intake efficiency, making it particularly prone to water temperature warnings when climbing hills with the AC on in summer. It's really not worth the trouble for such minor lighting effects.
