Improving the car’s handling performance may become a key for both experienced and novice motorists. Apart from ensuring greater enjoyment during driving, a car handling performance upgrade helps enhance road safety. Whatever type of car you drive – commuter one or high-performance sports one – you should know how to improve its handling performance to get the most out of it.
The Basics of Car Handling Performance
Before making an attempt at optimizing your car’s handling capabilities, let’s consider the factors that make up its handling performance. Simply put, car handling performance means how the car reacts to inputs applied via steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. Such factors as suspension and tires are among those affecting car handling performance.
Speaking of handling performance in your car, you should take into account the weight distribution ratio. Ideally, it should be set up 60-40 percent in favor of the front part. However, depending on the driving style, the optimal weight distribution may be different. Should you feel uncertain about your car weight distribution, check owner’s manual or talk to a professional.
How to Install Suspensions That Will Help Improve Handling
As you know by now, the suspension system has an effect on your car’s handling performance. To get a higher level of car handling performance, you may consider installing a number of suspension components. For example, adjustable coilover suspensions or adjustable bushings will work great if you are into a higher level of tuning.
Installing coilovers may be considered the best option for improving car handling performance. Coilover suspension system comprises of shock absorbers that can be fine-tuned as per your preference. With adjustable coilover shocks you can increase stiffness of your car suspension and get a desired level of car handling performance.
Sway bars are meant to decrease body roll during maneuvers. Installation of this system component ensures enhanced vehicle stability when turning.
Which Tires to Buy to Enhance Car Handling?
Last but not least when improving car handling performance, one should consider tires. Selecting a suitable pair of tires will help you increase traction and road contact, thus getting improved maneuverability. Therefore, you should pay attention to picking tires that will help you improve your car’s performance.
When buying tires, it is important to pay attention to their purpose. Should you be looking for high-performance tires for track racing, buy tires with extra grip that tend to wear out sooner. Otherwise, when choosing tires, you should think about the lifespan too.
Steering & Suspension Geometry and Their Effects on Handling
Along with the steering system, suspension geometry may also affect the handling performance. As you know, car handling performance depends greatly on the accuracy of car steering response. What should be considered regarding the car’s suspension geometry are such parameters as camber. It is the angle of tilt between the vertical axis of the wheel and itself. Negative camber improves handling performance but causes premature tire wear.
Driver’s Actions to Optimize Car Handling
Of course, there are other means to improve the car’s handling performance apart from mechanical. To ensure better handling, you should learn to apply driving actions smoothly and gradually. Otherwise, sudden accelerating, braking and steering can provoke uncontrolled car movement.
In corners, keep your speed stable and change the steering wheel position slowly. Moreover, it should be mentioned that car moves in the direction you are looking at. Therefore, concentrate on distant road elements instead of close ones.
Conclusion
Thus, we see that there are some aspects of the car’s handling capabilities that one should take into account. First of all, you should identify areas where improvement is necessary. Once you know them, consult a specialist in this regard.
