Road handling depends on many factors, more or less variable. Some are strictly related to how the car is actually built and how its characteristics contribute to better road handling. Others are external factors that are out of the control of the driver and the car, such as the weather conditions. There are also subjective factors such as how familiar the driver is with the car or how comfortable and stable his position and support is while driving. But, irrespective of all these factors, road handling problems occur and drivers must face them in traffic. It is vital that you have a car you feel comfortable with when driving and smaller cars are known to be much easier to handle. For any new driver it is important to learn in a smaller so that is easier to get to grips with driving.
Bump Steer and Road Handling
Bump steer can be caused either by the wearing of the suspension or by the features of the suspension that cause it to rise and fall as a result of uneven road surfaces. The effects of bump steer depend on factors such as un-sprung weight, steering linkage, type of differential, tires, tire pressure, angular inertia, frame rigidity, and suspension type.
Excessive Load Transfer and Road Handling
Total weight transfer is calculated as the sum of the front and back in steady cornering. It is determined by the ration between the height of the car’s center of gravity and the axle track. The car will roll over if the weight transfer is the same as half of the loaded weight. In order to avoid such events, the steering of motors must be handled carefully and turn rate must be reduced. Road handling becomes even more difficult.
Slow Response and Road Handling
Road handling is affected by the slow response of motors when turned in a particular direction. Normally, motors react immediately to steering changes and that is why road handling is especially aggravated by slow response. Road response can be caused by body roll, high slip angle tires, yaw and roll angular inertia.