12 Popular Car Modifications That Are Illegal in the United States

Car enthusiasts want to have the best-looking cars, the most beautiful and the most powerful. For that, they try to make all sorts of modifications to their vehicles, from aesthetic changes to performance upgrades. There’s a variety of changes that can be brought to a car for its owner to express their diverse interests and personalities.

What all car enthusiasts should be aware of is that certain car modifications are illegal in the United States (as well as in other parts of the world). Altering your car’s aspect, performance technologies and systems on the brink of legality can lead to legal problems no driver wants. Other alterations related to safety and environmental norms are simply illegal, no matter the method of implementation.

Read on to find out what car modifications are illegal in the United States and all car enthusiasts should stay away from making them.

Illegal Car Modifications:

Underglow lights

Many car owners modify their car lights for aesthetic reasons. The Underglow lights are one of the most popular alterations amongst car enthusiasts. It is a way to make their vehicles attract attention, especially at night.

However, standing out is not exactly a good thing in certain states, as this added car feature is illegal. The reason it is against the law to have underglow lights is that it can distract other fellow drivers and cause unwanted accidents. To make sure you’re not breaking the law, it’s best that you check the regulations in the state you live in before making such alterations to your car.

Loud exhaust systems

Another popular car modification is installing loud exhaust systems. For many car owners, having a powerful engine, even if only by sound, is good enough. In most cases, though, a loud exhaust system shows that the car is extra powerful.

You might want to boast your powerful car with an exhaust system that matches, but you should know that this modification is against the law as it can exceed noise level limits. In addition, it can cause noise pollution and disturb people living in residential areas.

If you want to avoid costly fines as well as additional money to restore your car to legal requirements, avoid making this change to your vehicle.

Dark window tint

Dark window tinting is a change that many drivers make for privacy reasons. At least, that’s what they say. Others think it gives their car a stylish and elegant look. Whatever the reasons behind their decision to tint their car windows, authorities think otherwise.

According to authorities in most states, due to safety concerns, dark window tint is illegal. That’s because it can hinder the driver’s vision as well and prevent police officers from seeing inside the car.

Tinting your car windows is not completely illegal, but there are certain percentages you should comply with when it comes to how dark the side and rear windows should be. Not complying with these allowances can bring you unwanted fines and legal problems.

Frames hiding the license plate

Many drivers like to decorate their car’s license plates so that their car matches their personality. Some might like the decorative license plates, but not the authorities. That’s because anything that obstructs a car’s license plates is against traffic laws and can result in costly fines.

Make sure your plate numbers can be clearly seen by law enforcement and the traffic system unless you want traffic officers to think you’ve got something to hide and stop you every time you go behind the wheel.

Radar detectors

Radar detectors are widely used by drivers who want to avoid being fined for speeding. But guess what? There are other ways to avoid speeding tickets, like complying with the speed limitations. Installing radar detectors is illegal in most counties in the United States because they are seen as tools that promote speeding and impetuous driving.

SEE ALSO:13 Useful Car Features You Didn’t Know You Might Have

Non-compliant lift kits

Car enthusiasts commonly use lift kits to lift the height of a car or truck. One of the main reasons lift kits are so popular among car enthusiasts, especially off-road fans, is that it makes the vehicle able to run on rough terrain.

However, there are certain requirements in terms of lifting modifications. Not complying with the legal requirements can lead to legal issues as enhancing your car’s off-road performance can make the car more unstable and difficult to drive. This, in turn, jeopardizes the safety of the driver as well as of the other fellow drivers on the road.

Engine swaps

Swapping the engine for a more powerful one is widely practiced by car owners. Firstly, it allows them to customize the engine and enhance the vehicle’s performance, increase horsepower and fuel efficiency.

You might want to have the most powerful car in town, but such switches are illegal in most states. Swapping your engine for a more efficient one without proper documentation and in compliance with state and federal laws can bring you more headaches than horsepower.

Lowered cars

Many car lovers appreciate vehicles with low suspension. They consider such vehicles sleek and powerful. It might be a popular look in custom car culture, but it is also illegal in every other culture. That’s because they can lead to low ground clearance, which is an important safety aspect.

Another reason why excessively lowering your car is against the law in most states is that it can modify the vehicle’s headlights, obstructing visibility for other drivers.

Rolling coal

This is another popular and widespread car alteration made by many car enthusiasts. It consists of modifying the engine so that the exhaust releases thick, black smoke.

Rolling coal is a way to attract attention and show off. It is also downright illegal as it contributes to increased pollution, with those adopting this practice breaking important rules and laws about vehicle emissions. In addition, it is also dangerous as it can hinder visibility on the road, causing serious accidents.

Aftermarket cold air intake

A car modification that does not require car owners to dig that deep into their pockets is installing a cold air intake system. It is believed that this alteration can enhance combustion efficiency and subsequently, horsepower and torque.

Some also like this addition to their vehicles, as it makes them make a certain sound when exterior cold air is drawn in the engine compartment, sort of like purring. Unfortunately for fans of this modification, aftermarket cold air intake is not legal if it does not comply with emission control laws and environmental regulations.

Extremely loud sound systems

Modifying the sound systems so that they can be heard from across town is a popular car alteration among car owners who love music and audio quality. By installing subwoofers, amplifiers and powerful speakers, car owners enhance their listening and also driving experience.  Not to mention it makes their cars look cooler.

However, what car enthusiasts should be aware of is that immersing themselves in their favorite audio content can bring unwanted fines. That’s because their loud sound systems might not comply with the local noise regulations. Hearing the police officers ordering you to stop will not be as pleasant.

Read also: Top 10 Car Brands with the Highest Accident Rate and Worst Drivers

Studded tires (not in winter)

Studded tires are extremely important during winter months. Such features offer greater stability and prevent skidding and accidents in difficult driving conditions. But keeping the studded tires outside the winter months is generally illegal in most states. The main reason is that these tires will ruin the surface of the road.

Takeaway

Car modifications indeed allow car owners to personalize and customize their vehicles, enhancing their performance and aspects. In addition, most of them are allowed as long as they are made in compliance with relevant rules and regulations related to safety and the environment. Stay responsible when it comes to altering your vehicle in any way, to protect yourself as well as other drivers involved in traffic activities.