Bear with me here guys...

Why is it that front heavy cars are prone to understeer while rear heavy cars are prone to oversteer when...

1) You aspire to add more weight to the car through braking to add grip to the front while turning in

2) You aspire to shift the weight back to neutral to balance the rear


One more question...

Assuming I am driving a neutral car and I am balancing throttle in a turn. What should happen if I

1) apply more throttle

2) mash the throttle

3) Lift off the throttle

4) Mash the brakes

I have experience trying all but want to make sure I remember correctly what happens. As well, is there a difference in the outcome based on whether I'm before or after apex?

Many thanks guys...I tried asking my instructors but could never get a clear answer from them. You may be saving an S2000 from a concrete wall one day with your responses.

 

It's partly due to the position of the mass. A front-heavy car will try to go in a straight line since the mass is already moving in that direction. Front-engine cars also typically use tires that are the same size as the rear or smaller, limiting grip. Understeer is a trait designed in for the typical driver to provide a safety buffer - all you have to do is slow down to regain grip.

Rear-engine car tend to oversteer when the rear is forced to lose grip. With grip, they're more stable but the moment of inertia kicks in once grip is exceeded (actually, the same is true for the front-heavy cars).

[QUOTE]Assuming I am driving a neutral car and I am balancing throttle in a turn.