Modification of Your Car

1. Performance modification: Modifications made to upgrade the performance of the car are termed as performance modification. Performance modifications are generally made to boost the power, handling, and/or fuel efficiency of the car. Modifications made to the engine, exhaust system, air filters, brakes, suspensions, tyres, etc. fall under this category.
2. Functional modification: Functional modifications are those which change or add certain functions to the vehicle. Installation of sunroofs, air conditioning, car phone, roof rack, navigation system, etc. come under this category. Functionalities added to a vehicle which were not there earlier are called functional mods.
3. Aesthetic modification: This kind of modification is generally done to make the vehicle look better and unique. All changes made to the external or internal appearance of the vehicle are termed as aesthetic modifications. However, aesthetic modification or cosmetic modification is not always meant to make visual differences. Sometimes, they also bring significant changes in the performance by tweaking the body work. For example, certain body kits provide more stability and better aerodynamics to a car than the stock body.

Rules for Car Modification in India: 

The rules for car modification in India are as follows: 

1. In India, you can change the colour of your car. However, you will have to apply for the new colour to be approved by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). However, you can apply vinyl body-wraps on your vehicle without the permission of the authorities. Vinyl body-wraps last for a long time and can protect your car's factory paint. 
2. Structural modifications are not permissible under legal car modification regulations in India. The RTO will request you to return the vehicle to its original form if you make any structural modifications. If you proceed with the structural alteration even after being reprimanded by the authority, the authority can impose a hefty fine, cancel your registration, cancel your license or any other form of punishment. 
3.  You can replace a faulty engine by replacing it with a new or used engine with the same features. You need to get RTO approval before replacing the engine. The engine capacity should not exceed the existing one. You must also enter the new engine number into the RC book of your vehicle. Your car’s engine is more prone to damage during the rainy season. 
4. The use of air horns and pressure horns is prohibited in India. The car horns can be changed. However, the noise level should not exceed 80 decibels in India. This limit is introduced to limit the noise pollution caused by horns. 
5. Tinted glass and sun film are prohibited by the Supreme Court judgement. The judgement was based on the rising crime rate inside closed cars. Tinted glass that complies with the Motor Vehicles law of 1988 can be used. 
6. The legal car modification rules in India do not allow you to change how many seats you have. However, you can make modifications to improve your seating. You can make modifications to make it comfortable for physically disabled people after approval from the RTO. 
7. You are not allowed to have fancy number plates under the current motor vehicle laws. 
8. There are several reasons why crash guard modifications are prohibited in India. The most important reason is that the crash guard changes can cause accidents and can result in fatalities. 
9. If you want to modify the exhaust, you must obtain explicit permission from the RTO. Exhaust with a sound level of more than 100 decibels is strictly forbidden. Exhausts installed should not disturb other drivers or pedestrians on the road. 
10. For example, a nominal ground clearance change may not be an issue. The ground clearance must be a few millimeters higher or lower. There are no problems with replacing a defective suspension with a replacement. However, the authority may not accept a significant ground clearance change. 

What are the Illegal Car Modifications in India? 

The illegal car modifications in India are as follows: 

1. Loud and fancy horns: According to the government regulations, horns that exceed 100 decibels cannot be installed on your vehicle. This means that if you install an ornamental aftermarket horn on your vehicle, such as pressure horn or siren, you can be penalised under the motor vehicle law of India. 
2. Tinted windows: Adding a tint film on your car’s window glasses reduces visibility by more than 50% and is against the law in India unless you are a VIP or a VVIP. In addition, the use of sunshades on the window panes of your car is also against the law according to the latest legal guidelines. Section 100 of the CMVA (Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988) states that the visibility of every vehicle’s rear window and windscreen must be at least 70% in India. The minimum visibility of a vehicle’s side window glasses is 50%. Anything lower than this is considered illegal in India. 
3. Loud exhaust pipes: Replacing the exhaust pipe of your car with a fancy exhaust pipe that makes loud noise is against the law in India, as per rule 120 of CMVA. Such an exhaust pipe will create more noise and pollution in the air. In addition, such exhaust pipe is not suitable for the PUC test, which is a mandatory test for every vehicle. The PUC test determines the emissions levels of the vehicle and determines whether the vehicle meets legal standards for the emission of pollutants. 
4. Light modification: The halogen lights can be replaced by white LED lights, but you can’t change the colour of your car’s headlights to blue, green or red. 
5. Usage of oversized alloy wheels: Alloy wheels are a great way to personalise your car. However, if you install alloy wheels that are bigger than your car, you could be in trouble with the law. 
6. Designer registration plate: In India, it is against the law to use decorative or designer number plates on your vehicle. The motor vehicle law states that every new vehicle should have high security registration plates with IND embossed on them. If you have an old vehicle, you need to make sure that the font of the letter mentioned on your number plate is readable. If you don’t follow these guidelines and the traffic police notice your vehicle, you can face a hefty fine.  

What are the Most Common Car Performance Modifications?

Listed below are some of the most common modifications that are often opted by automobile enthusiasts to enhance their rides.

1. Turbocharger or Supercharger: The performance of engines can be altered by turbo charging or supercharging them. They basically help in increasing the overall performance of the engines by improvising their peak power and torque delivery.
2. ECU remapping: An Engine Control Unit (ECU) is responsible for controlling the fuel-air mixture in the engine. Most manufacturers map the ECUs well below the vehicle's potential to maintain a safety net. An ECU remapping can help you unleash the car's full potential and better performance.
3. Nitrous: Nitrous injection kit installation is a very popular modification but still not a very common one. Installing nitrous injection kits on street cars is illegal - not only in India, but all across the globe as well. A nitrous injection can multiply the power of an engine to a great extent for a limited period of time.
4. Transmission upgrade: Another common upgrade that car owners often opt for is the transmission upgrade. A change in the gearbox can bring in significant changes in the performance of the car.
5. Brakes upgrade: Brakes are one of the most vital characters of the handling act. The handling of a car is largely dependent on the brakes. Thus, the brake shoes or master cylinders of a braking system are often upgraded for better braking performance.
6. Suspension upgrades: Suspension is yet another important factor behind handling and stability of the car. Although most automobile makers carry out ample tests before putting up a car on the production line, vehicle owners often consider a suspension upgrade to meet their driving style or to change the stance of the vehicle.
7. Exhaust system: This is perhaps one of the most popular performance upgrades that vehicle owners consider buying for their cars. A free flow exhaust system not only improves the performance of the car but also adds a signature grunt to the car's exhaust note. In many cases, even a muffler change or air filter change is considered just for altering the exhaust note of a car.

What are the Most Common Car Functional Modifications?

1. Satellite navigation system: A satellite navigation system is a very useful upgrade if you do not already have it in your car. Most automobile manufacturers offer this feature in their cars these days. A navigation system uses Global Positioning System (GPS) to chalk out the best route from point A to point B. It provides information regarding the traffic conditions and thus saves time and makes the journey as hasslefree as possible.
2. Air conditioning: Air conditioning is a very common functional modification.
3. Car phone: The car phone offers the driver, the liberty of using his/her phone while driving. The driver can make or receive phone calls without even touching the phone. It has become even easier to use a car phone these days as most of the modern infotainment systems in cars now offer bluetooth compatibility which helps them connect their phones to the car's media system directly.
4. Parking sensors: Parking a car can be a tricky job, especially in tight corners. Parking sensors make the whole process easier. Parking sensors can guide the driver while parking by providing information regarding obstacles that are in the way. Many cars offer parking sensors as a standard in-built feature these days. But, if your car doesn't have one, it is definitely a good modification to be considered.
5. Other functional accessories: There are a number of other additional accessories that are installed on the basis of their functionality. The most common accessories are roof racks, hand controls, additional lights, etc.

What are the Most Common Car Aesthetic Or Cosmetic Modifications?

1. Body kits: Body kits are extra body panels that are installed on a vehicle. It changes the shape, size, and appearance of the vehicle. Body kits might consist of wheel fenders, hoods, side skirts, front and rear bumpers, grilles, roof top vents, and spoilers. Although body kits usually change the physical appearance of the cars, they might also affect the performance by making alterations to the aerodynamics and the weight of the car.
2. Paint job: Paint jobs are usually referred to the single stage enamel painting done on cars. But "paint job" has a diverse meaning. With different painting processes available in the market, paint jobs can mean anything from a single tone paint scheme to a matte finish paint job to pearlescent paint schemes to airbrushing.
3. Decal works: Decal work is gaining popularity at a massive rate. Be it a full body wrap or just some minor bits of ornamental changes, more people are considering decals over traditional paint jobs. Pepping up a vehicle with body wraps and decals is considered as a better option as it is hasslefree. It is very easy to install, remove, and replace decals and body wraps, and that makes it a popular choice.
4. Lights: Installing a new headlamp cluster or tail lamp cluster can make your vehicle look much more appealing. Installing underbody neon lights had been in vogue for quite some time although it has faded out in the past decade.
5. Other cosmetic mods: Tinted windows and windscreen, smoked headlamps and tail lamps, and upholstery or dashboard mods are quite popular as well.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Modifying Your Car:

On one hand, well-chosen modifications can enhance the overall performance of your vehicle but on the other hand, improper installation of mod parts or using poor quality mods can have an adverse effect on the vehicle's health as well as your safety. Modifications should be chosen wisely and should be compatible to each other. It is very important to take help from professionals to make modifications in a car.

Many performance modifications might make your engine warranty void and might also be illegal (like nitrous injection kits). A particular performance modification can cause the vehicle to malfunction. It is also possible that the mod part can damage other parts. It is important to have clear and complete knowledge about the modifications and their effects before installing them.

Modifications made to a vehicle will also affect your vehicle insurance policy. It is highly likely that the premium amounts will be higher because of the changes made in the car.

Hence, it is advisable to check all the pros and cons before modifying a vehicle. Because, once the modification is done, in most cases there is no going back. So, choose your mods wisely and always remember to drive safe and be safe on the roads because "With great power comes great responsibility".

GST Update: GST of 18% is applicable on car insurance effective from the 1st of July, 2017