Alterations and Modifications to Vehicles DOs and DONTs
Below is a list of Do’s & Don’ts intended as a guide to keep your vehicle in a safe and reliable condition.
If you decide to alter or modify your vehicle, please keep in mind the following points:-
a) Always consult the vehicle manufacturer or agent for their advice/ endorsement before carrying out any alterations/modifications, failure to do so may nullify any warranty;
b) Be fully aware of any adverse safety factors that may arise through modifications;
c) Consult your Insurance Company before making any alteration/modification to your vehicles, failure to do so may void your insurance cover and leave you liable for expensive litigation;
d) Any alteration or modification that breaches regulations may render you liable to prosecution as a result of Police enforcement action.
DOs & DON’Ts
Tyres
DO : Fit tyres which are suitable to be used on roads, check tyre pressures regularly and ensure that the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure; Check for cuts and damage; Ensure tread depth is sufficient (at least 1mm throughout at least three quarters of the breadth of the tread)
DO NOT : Never use a combination of cross-ply & radial tyres; Replace with tyres of different dimensions or load capacity without taking advice from vehicle manufacturer or agent; Allow tyres to protrude beyond the body-work or touch any part of the vehicle; Use unevenly or excessively worn tyres
Window Glass
DO : Keep glass clean & free from stickers or any article which obstructs vision; Replace the windscreen if cracked, damaged or scratched to a level that would impair the driver’s field of view or damage windscreen wipers.
DO NOT : Add reflective material or film to the glass which affects the light transmission, otherwise Regulation 28 (2) of Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulation is violated
Noise Reducing Installations
DO : Inspect and maintain silencer, expansion chamber or other contrivance to ensure that they are at all times in good and efficient working order.
DO NOT : Alter or replace silencer, expansion chamber or other contrivance in a way that the noise caused by the escape of the exhaust gases is made greater by the alternation or the replacement; Allow the exhaust pipe to protrude excessively beyond the bodywork.
Emissions
DO : Keep your engine properly tuned & serviced at recommended intervals; Have the emission level checked before the annual inspections; Change the air filter regularly.
DO NOT : Remove catalytic convertor or replace with ones designed for racing competition; Change factory design of exhaust emission equipment such as disconnect the oxygen sensor; Change electronic components for engine control (computer system for engine management) or use external ECU tuning device.
Headlamps
DO : Colour of headlamp beams must be white or yellow.
DO NOT : Replace the original filament bulb with filament bulb of higher ratings or light sources such as LED or HID light tube;
Side Lamps, Stop Lamps & Indicators
DO : If you wish to replace your filament lamps (side lamps, stop lamps and direction indicators) with lamps of LED light source, choose only those that have been approved by TD or have an ECE approved marking inscribed on them, and are constructed to fit your vehicle.
DO NOT : Fit LED lamp not approved by TD; or has no ECE approved marking inscribed on the LED lamp; Install lamps not constructed to fit your vehicle.
Fog Lamps
DO : If fog lamp is to be fitted on vehicles, they must be filament lamps bearing with ECE approved marking; Colour of front fog lamp beam must be while or yellow while colour of rear fog lamp must be red; Front left and right fog lamps shall be installed not more than 400 mm from the sides of the vehicle with their height less than the height of the headlamps; Shall be at least 250 mm above the ground.
DO NOT : For private car and light goods vehicle, height of front fog lamp from the ground is more than 800 mm; For other vehicles, height of front fog lamp from the ground is more than 1,200 mm Fog lamps will light up automatically if headlamps are switched on.
Brakes
DO : Contact your vehicle repairer if your footbrake or parking brake travel is more than usual, adjustment or brake pad/lining replacement may be required Follow manufacturers/agents advice concerning brake servicing .
DO NOT : Drive your vehicle if you suspect the brakes are defective
Attachments & Protrusions
DO NOT : Add any mascot or fitting (e.g. bull bar (structure fitted to the front of a vehicle primarily to reduce damage to the vehicle in the event of an animal strike) or towing hook) to the vehicle which may cause injury to other road-users; Fit vacant hitch bicycle rack Fitted objects or protrusion have sharp corners or edges
Modifications
DO : Seek advice from the vehicle agent and manufacturers before modifying any part of your vehicle
DO NOT : Alter/modify your vehicle without following advice from the agent and manufacturers. It may affect vehicle safety and the manufacturers/agents warranty protection.
