Oversteer or Understeer

[Zenmervolt]

We also need to be clear that there's a difference between linear range understeer (always bad IMO) and limit handling understeer which is what is helpful on coner exit on a racetrack.

ZV

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
I'll take as close to neutral as I can get thanks. Not to mention all cars on the road understeer, the only way you can make a production car oversteer is playing with the throttle.

You can make a production car oversteer by changing things like spring rates and sway bars also. It's not something you want in a daily driver though and most people on the road couldn't cope with a car that oversteers anyway...which is why most production cars are built with a healthy amount of understeer from the factory.

I'd probably want a car with a slight bit of understeer.

I was referring more to skid pad oversteer/understeer, but you are correct.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
We also need to be clear that there's a difference between linear range understeer (always bad IMO) and limit handling understeer which is what is helpful on coner exit on a racetrack.

ZV

:thumbsup: Correct that seems to be the misunderstanding here.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Oversteer...but isn't there a new forum for this?

 

[cjgallen]

I love controllable oversteer, super fun.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Apex
That's probably correct, seeing as the proper way to set up a racecar for professional drivers, even on very tight, technical tracks, is with a slight attitude of understeer. Yes, slight understeer, not even neutral.

Steady-state, yes.

In a corner you should start accelerating before the apex and with a proper line a car that exhibits a slight steady-state understeer will become effectively neutral with full power applied in a corner. If the car oversteers in a steady-state condition, it will oversteer more on full power in a corner, which is bad.

That said, I am vastly more confident in my ability to catch a spin than in my ability to stop the car from ploughing into the wall, and a too-quick throttle lift in an understeering car can result in wicked snap-oversteer as the front wheels suddenly bite again and whip the front of the car around, leaving the lightly-loaded rear to sling-shot around.

Oversteer is twitchy, and tiring to drive for long periods, but I prefer it and feel much safer with it.

Ideally, I want the following: Slight oversteer on corner entry, sliding through neutrality to very slight understeer on corner exit.

ZV

Yep, agreed.

 

[iamwiz82]

I can still control my RWD car when it understeers if I over-do it around a corner by modulating the throttle. Oversteer leads me into oncoming traffic, unless I come off the throttle completely.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: SSSnail
I'd much prefer understeer, with power. I find it easier to manage high speed cornering.

whats the diff?

how do u know which one your doing?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I can still control my RWD car when it understeers if I over-do it around a corner by modulating the throttle. Oversteer leads me into oncoming traffic, unless I come off the throttle completely.

You have them backwards.

ZV

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I can still control my RWD car when it understeers if I over-do it around a corner by modulating the throttle. Oversteer leads me into oncoming traffic, unless I come off the throttle completely.

You have them backwards.

ZV

I have had more than a few drink tonight, you know what I meant 😉

 

[SSSnail]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: SSSnail
I'd much prefer understeer, with power. I find it easier to manage high speed cornering.

whats the diff?

how do u know which one your doing?

It's not what I'm doing, it's what the car would be doing. If you know the car well, you can push the limit and won't spin around on a turn, and don't have to go into the opposite lanes or the wall either. Just back off before you feel the understeer, then slide...

 

[potato28]

Normally balanced, but definitely under so I can compensate before crashing or rolling.