SUV Drives on Three Wheels in China

In Jinshan Town, Lianyungang, a BYD Fangchengbao Bao 8 SUV was seen moving on three wheels after a wheel lock was fixed to its left front wheel, sparking questions about the vehicle’s suspension technology, Chinese law, and road safety. The incident was captured on video by a passerby and posted on Douyin, a popular Chinese social media platform, where it quickly gained attention and was later shared internationally.

Unusual Driving Conditions

The SUV, an off-road model of a large hybrid rechargeable vehicle, left its parking spot with the wheel lock attached to the raised wheel, which hovered about thirty centimeters above the ground. The other three tires supported the vehicle, which weighs more than three tons, as the driver slowly moved through an open street with traffic.

Suspension System Capabilities

The Fangchengbao Bao 8, also known as the Denza B8, uses the intelligent suspension DiSus-P Ultra developed by BYD. This system controls each wheel and offers about 200 millimeters of travel, with a possible lift of 300 millimeters. BYD claims the lifting force exceeds nine tons, which should allow changing a tire without a jack and overcoming obstacles in off-road conditions.

Legal Restrictions on Dangerous Vehicles

In China, Article 21 of the Road Safety Law prohibits the operation of vehicles deemed dangerous. Authorities also use tools like towing robots or devices called Barnacle, which are attached to the windshield to block the driver’s view and complicate movement.