understeer-oversteer
Patrick Washburn
washburn at dwave.net
Thu Nov 16 12:28:23 EST 2000
Very simply:
Understeer - A tendency for your car to "push" or "plow" when turning.
Imagine driving on ice, and when you turn the wheel the car wants to
continue going straight. It isn't turning enough, or "understeering".
Oversteer - The opposite tendency for the car to turn too much, usually
causing the rear end to feel like it will come around in a spin. (Which it
will often do!)
Nuetral - The moving target we all try to acheive. Usually a nuetral car
is reffered to as being one that you are able to readily control the
over/under steer. Not that is always steers nuetrally.
There are too many variables affecting these handling traits to go into,
but one important aspect is the front/rear weight transfer at any given
time. Cars do not *always* under or over steer...it depends on the
attitude of the car at the moment in terms of front and rear weight
transfer caused by either accelerating or decelerating. A normally
understeering car can be induced to oversteer by braking heavily past the
point where you started your turn (trailbraking). The additional weight on
the front tires will create better grip, making it turn better. Get ready
though...immediatly following this will usually be an abrupt and difficult
to control transition to heavy oversteer. WooHoo! Can you say spin?
Another note: Tire pressures can have a surprisingly strong influence on
your car's characteristics. Check those tire pressures folks!
The absolute best way to learn these things is to go autocrossing, IMO.
Pat Washburn
88 5KCSTQW
95 Neon DS #26 - SCCA Solo2 "The Cow Car"
> Would someone please explain understeer and oversteer to me. I have
an
> idea but would like to know more.
>
> Rotax
>
>
Patrick Washburn
C-Tech Trailor Cabinets
Wausau, WI
www.racecabinet.com
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