Wheelbase: definition and calculation

The wheelbase, along with the track, is one of the main dimensions of a vehicle. Wheelbase is the distance between the front axle and the rear axle. The wheelbase added to the length of the two overhangs is used to calculate the overall length of the vehicle. This also determines its habitability, stability and maneuverability.

🚗 What is the wheelbase of the car?

Theempathy is one of the dimensions of a car, but also other vehicles such as trucks and motorcycles. In a car, the wheelbase is related to the length of the car. In fact, this is the distance between the hubs of the front and rear wheels.

Thus, the wheelbase separates the front axle from the rear axle. Another major car size is called way, this time across the width of the car. In fact, the track determines the distance between two tires on the same axle.

⚙️ What role does the wheelbase play?

The wheelbase varies from car to car as it depends on the size of the car. He might be long or short ; City cars have a short wheelbase, while family cars have a longer one. In France, the average wheelbase of cars is about 2,60 meters.

A vehicle's wheelbase affects several vehicle criteria. Thus, the short wheelbase gives more maneuverable machine, with a smaller turning circle. However, this car will also be more unstable during front / rear mass transfer and vice versa, i.e. acceleration and deceleration.

Indeed, cars with a longer wheelbase are less maneuverable, but more stable... They are heavier and better controllable, although more difficult to maneuver and park. Thanks to the long wheelbase, less time passes between the front and rear wheels.

Finally, the wheelbase of a car affects its habitability... After all, the longer the wheelbase, the more rows of seats can fit in the car and the larger the interior. Urban cars with a shorter wheelbase are more suited to urban conditions, but therefore have a smaller passenger compartment.

🚘 How to measure the wheelbase of a car?

The wheelbase of a vehicle is the distance between the center of the front axle wheels and the center of the rear axle wheels. Along with the track, this is one of the main vehicle dimensions. Therefore, to measure the wheelbase of a car, this distance must be determined, usually between 2 and 3 meters.

The wheelbase is also used to calculate the overall size of the vehicle body. For this, we must add what we call console... These are the body parts that are located between the axle axis and the end of the vehicle.

Thus, each machine has a front overhang and a different rear overhang. By adding their length to the wheelbase, you get the total length of your vehicle.

Please note that on some vehicles, the front wheelbase is not always the same as the rear. It can vary by several centimeters depending on type podcast out of the car. Torsion suspension in this case. Therefore, it should be remembered that the suspension affects the wheelbase, which changes depending on the vehicle's load.

Now you know everything about your car's wheelbase! As you already understood, it determines, first of all, its size and, in particular, its length. This is necessary to calculate the size of the vehicle. In the early days of the automotive industry, the wheelbase was long. Today it is being cut by city cars.