Oversteer understeer? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

HippoSleek · 12-11-2001, 03:25 PM

Well, uhh, sorta what was said... best advice - track down DSC's signature and follow the link.

Understeer is when the front of the car refuses to change directions ("push" "plow").  It can happend in FWD, RWD, or AWD.  It is created by suspension geometry, weight, and power.  There is only one type.

Oversteer comes about in a few different ways - but mostly is either "trailing throttle" or "power on."  Oversteer is when the rear of the car does not follow the line of the front ("tailslide" "ass out" "drift").  Power on oversteer cannot happen in a FWD car - as the power is not in the back.  In RWD or AWD, a sudden surge of power can cause the wheels to brake lose and cause the tail of the car to take on a different track than the front.  Example: when you gun it in the rain and it slides around.  Trailing throttle oversteer can happen in any car.  Same situation, but it is created by getting off the gas around a turn, which causes inertia to move the weight of the car forward and off the back tires.  With weight off the tires and pressure on them to turn, they are unable to hold the same line as the fronts - a slide occurs.  Example - going around a turn and having to slow down b/c of a car in front of you.

Those are the basics - go to turnfast if you want more.

12-11-2001, 03:25 PM	#3
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, uhh, sorta what was said... best advice - track down DSC's signature and follow the link. Understeer is when the front of the car refuses to change directions ("push" "plow").  It can happend in FWD, RWD, or AWD.  It is created by suspension geometry, weight, and power.  There is only one type. Oversteer comes about in a few different ways - but mostly is either "trailing throttle" or "power on."  Oversteer is when the rear of the car does not follow the line of the front ("tailslide" "ass out" "drift").  Power on oversteer cannot happen in a FWD car - as the power is not in the back.  In RWD or AWD, a sudden surge of power can cause the wheels to brake lose and cause the tail of the car to take on a different track than the front.  Example: when you gun it in the rain and it slides around.  Trailing throttle oversteer can happen in any car.  Same situation, but it is created by getting off the gas around a turn, which causes inertia to move the weight of the car forward and off the back tires.  With weight off the tires and pressure on them to turn, they are unable to hold the same line as the fronts - a slide occurs.  Example - going around a turn and having to slow down b/c of a car in front of you. Those are the basics - go to turnfast if you want more.