Vehicle modifications

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Vehicle modifications

Tuning is a phenomenon which is gaining more and more fans and is divided into two categories.

The first consists of making cosmetic changes to personalize the vehicle, to distinguish it from the original model. The second aims for an increase in the performance of the vehicle.

Almost all parts of a vehicle can be modified, provided that the changes respect the Highway Safety Code and do not decrease the vehicle's stability or braking system.

Here are some examples of modifications that are approved and prohibited. To find out more, consult the SAAQ Website.

Examples of allowed modifications:

Modified wheel dimension, as long as the external diameter of the tires is comparable with the original.
Add a stylized rocker bottom.
Installing a firmly fixed spoiler, as long as it does not exceed the width of the vehicle and that it does not block the lights.
Changing the seats, provided that they are fixed in the original rails or anchors.
Replacing the muffler or any other element of the exhaust system. (The system must be firmly fixed, free from any leaks, conceived for road use, and as silent as the original.)
Increasing the engine's output.
Changing the shell of the bumper, but only the malleable parts; any part that absorb energy in the event of impact cannot be removed or modified.
Affixing a tinted or opaque band with a 15cm maximum width on the top of the windshield. (Nothing else can be affixed on the rest of the windshield, except for a parking or mechanical inspection label.)

Examples of prohibited modifications :

To remove or deactivate an airbag.
To tint the front side windows that let less than 70 % of the light through. (As they exit from the factory, the windows have already got color. Once the film is added, at least 70% of light must pass through.)
To affix or spray on one of the windows any mirror-like material.
To modify the windshield wiper system so that it sweeps a smaller surface of the windshield than originally intended.
To remove or modify the original safety belts or their anchors.

To replace the color of the headlights, lights or reflectors with any that are different from those accepted by the Highway Safety Code.
To decrease the headlight intensity, lights or reflectors with the addition of an opaque or obscuring item.
To install tires not designed for the road, in particular racing tires or tires exceeding the wheel wells of the vehicle.
To decrease the braking capacity while installing discs in a non- professional way or with non-compliant parts.
To use cut, heated or attached springs. To have an ultra-rigid suspension is also not allowed, insufficient clearance, tires touching a component of the vehicle, or part of the vehicle body that touches the roadway in normal driving situations.

Main violations of the Highway Safety Code (modified vehicles)	Fine
To remove or deactivate an airbag.	$300 to $ 600
To tint the side windows in a way that they let less than 70 % of the light through	$100 to $200
To affix or spray on one of the windows with mirror -like materials	$200 to $300
To remove or modify the original safety belts	$200 to $300
To modify the color of the headlights, lights or reflectors.	$100 to $200
To decrease the intensity of the headlights, lights or reflectors.	$100 to $200
To use cut, heated or attached springs	$200 to $300
To modify the exhaust system to make it noisier than original	$100 to $200
To pose, at the top of the windshield, an obscuring band with a width greater than 15 cm	$100 to $200

To find out more :

Modified or Hand-Crafted Vehicles on the SAAQ website

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