Will Traffic Police Stop You for Installing Four Small Yellow Lights on the Grille?
2 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?
