Driver Education: Vehicle Balance
When moving through a turn, the hands may move up to
165 degrees (neither hand beyond the 6 or 12 positions)
T or F: Braking when cornering at too high of a speed will immediately slow you down.
F
T or F: If you steer to the left the vehicle will lean to the left.
F
T or F: To steer when turning and moving forward, use one hand.
F
T or F: When using hand over hand steering, slow movements of thehand are needed to make the maneuver
F
T or F: Crash studies show that inattention to the path ahead was the primary cause of nearly 21% of reported crashes
T
T or F: Failure to make a quick turn of impromper evasive action accounted for 5.6% of reported crashes
T
T or F: If turning through a slight curve, both hands will typically retain their original grip on the wheel.
T
T or F: If you steer right, the vehicle will lean left.
T
T or F: Speed of travel and steering have direct influence on the level of weight transferred to the front corner of the vehicle
T
T or F: Sudden steering, acceleration, or braking inputs can affect vehicle balance from front to rear (pitch).
T
T or F: Sudden steering, acceleration, or braking inputs can affect vehicle balance from side to side (roll)
T
T or F: Using proper steering techniques will help you maintain proper control of the vehicle.
T
T or F: Vehicle balance refers to the distribution of the weight of the vehicle on the tires as they meet the ground
T
T or F: When brakes are applied, weight or center of mass is transferred to the back of the vehicle.
T
T or F: maintaining car balance results from the driver's reaction to the vehicle's suspension changes and center of weight transfers.
T
T or F: the ability to apply correct pressure to the brake pedal is learned through experience and practice.
T
the magnitude of the weight changes and the driver's ability to maintain control of the vehicle is influenced by:
a. rate of acceleration b. brake application pressure c. steering input d. surface traction e. combination of these factors
As soon as motion occurs a transfer of weight from one point of the vehicle to another is caused by
acceleration, deceleration, cornering, or a combination
When is hand steering used?
backing maneuvers
at higher speeds,
driver control brake before initiating steering action to transfer weight to front wheels
How should you be seated when backing?
driver's head turned to see past the head restraint.
braking results in weight transfer to
front
Understeer =
front tires lose traction
In an evasive action,
limited steering input of no more than 180 degrees must be quick and smooth with limited return steering
car moves forward or backward
pitch
Balance is maintained through
precise steering movements, smooth and progressive acceleration, and controlled brake acceleration.
quick acceleration will result in weight transfer to
rear
oversteer =
rear wheels lose traction
vehicle moves side to side
roll
vehicle movement:
specific amount of weight, best balance is at rest with no movement, based on weight/suspension/tire pressure
vehicle weight transfer is caused by
speed and direction
The key to good braking technique?
stabilize the foot and control brake pressure with forces of ankle and toes rather than thigh muscles.
car moves left to right, causing it to "fishtail"
yaw
