Donate SIGN UP

Understeer and Oversteer

Avatar Image
matt_r_baker | 17:00 Thu 29th Dec 2005 | Motoring
4 Answers

I watch top gear every week that it is on but i don't quite understand what understeer and oversteer is. Please can you fill me in please!!!!!!!!!

Gravatar

Answers

1 to 4 of 4rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by matt_r_baker. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.

Oversteer - If you go around a corner too fast and the rear of the car may lose traction and will swing out to try and overtake itself.


Understeer - If you try to go into a corner too fast and the front wheels lose traction whilst turning rapidly, you will continue to travel in a straight line even though your wheels are facing a different direction.


Usually you get understeer with front wheel drive vehicles and oversteer with rear drive vehicles

Understeer is when you turn the steering wheel on a bend and the car goes straight on, most modern cars are designed to have a small amount of understeer as it is safer than oversteer which is when the back swings out on a bend and can cause a spin. Many older rear wheel drive cars did this but if you can handle it, it is much more fun to drive.
Yeah SM, and now that you have plenty of snow to play with in the UK now is the time to get out into a nice empty car park with a rear wheel drive car and get some practice at some major oversteer, can be a real laugh (provided you dont hit the kerb sideways that is)
Already been doing that and hit the kerb! Quite interesting in the Discovery though, doesn't always do what you expect being permanent 4x4 and 2 tonne. If the ice is still there tomorrow I'll give the rear wheel drive Merc a spin. The kids think its fun but still tell mum dads's been playing again!

1 to 4 of 4rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Understeer and Oversteer

Answer Question >>

Related Questions

Avatar Image
Deck