Will Using 4WD as 2WD During Annual Inspection Cause Damage?
2 Answers
Using 4WD as 2WD during annual inspection will not have any impact. The inspection does not check whether the vehicle is 2WD or 4WD. Annual Inspection Scope: Annual inspection refers to the annual or biennial safety inspection of vehicles, including comprehensive checks on the horn, brakes, axle weight, chassis, ignition system, lighting system, exhaust system, license plate installation, etc. Annual Inspection Cycle: For passenger vehicles used for commercial purposes, inspections are conducted once a year within the first 5 years; after 5 years, inspections are conducted every 6 months. For cargo vehicles and large or medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles, inspections are conducted once a year within the first 10 years; after 10 years, inspections are conducted every 6 months. For small and mini non-commercial passenger vehicles, inspections are conducted once every 2 years within the first 6 years; after 6 years, inspections are conducted once a year; after 15 years, inspections are conducted every 6 months.
As someone who has been driving for a long time, I find this issue very practical. Most annual inspection stations use dynamometers designed for front-wheel or rear-wheel drive vehicles. If a four-wheel-drive vehicle is tested as a two-wheel-drive one, especially some full-time four-wheel-drive models, internal transmission components may be damaged due to uneven wheel force distribution, such as overheating or even breakage of differential or gearbox gears. I have personally witnessed owners cutting corners, resulting in their cars smoking on the inspection line and costing thousands to repair. In practice, many modern four-wheel-drive vehicles can switch to 2WD mode to avoid risks, but forced operation is not advisable. Before inspection, it's best to consult the owner's manual or choose a professional station with dual-roller equipment for added safety. After all, annual inspections are for safety—don't let small mistakes turn into big troubles. Understanding your vehicle's characteristics in advance can prevent problems.
