How Does a Higher Car Body Affect Stability During Turns?

[EvaLee]

A higher car body results in poorer stability due to issues with centrifugal force. The higher the body, the higher the center of gravity, leading to reduced stability during turns due to inertia, thus requiring slower speeds. When turning, the steering wheel should be adjusted according to the road curvature and synchronized with the driving speed to ensure appropriate steering angle, timing, and timely correction. It is strictly prohibited to remove both hands from the steering wheel to avoid dangerous deviations. More details on turning are as follows: 1. Reduce speed when turning: Avoid sudden steering wheel movements to prevent excessive centrifugal force causing the car to skid. If the car skids, immediately release the accelerator pedal and turn the steering wheel toward the side of the rear-wheel skid. Once the car resumes straight driving, correct the steering wheel and continue driving. 2. Avoid using the brake: Minimize brake usage, especially emergency braking, during turns to prevent skidding or accidents. 3. Use turn signals at intersections: a. Left turns: In addition to signaling and changing lanes in advance, stay close to the center of the road while waiting to turn to facilitate traffic flow. b. Right turns: Besides merging into the outer lane and signaling, maintain slow speeds and be mindful of the inner wheel difference to avoid hitting pedestrians.

[Bella]

I think the higher the car body, the worse the stability during turns, because the higher center of gravity makes the car more prone to swaying or rolling over when cornering. I've driven many SUVs and off-road vehicles, and while the high body provides good visibility, I always feel the car swaying on curves, forcing me to slow down. In contrast, lower sedans or sports cars are much more stable when cornering, as their low center of gravity reduces issues. The physics principle is simple: a higher center of gravity means greater centrifugal force and more severe body roll. I recommend driving high-body vehicles at slower speeds around curves, especially on wet or mountainous roads—safety first. Regularly check the tires and suspension to ensure they help, but ultimately, driving habits are key to compensating for the higher center of gravity.

[DelMaggie]

I usually drive a modified Jeep with a lifted body, and it does feel unstable when turning. The center of gravity is too high, and with slightly sharper turns, the whole car feels like it's swaying, as if it's about to tip over. I don't have this issue when driving my friend's sedan—it handles turns much more smoothly. This reminds me of a time when I took a turn too fast in the rain and almost lost control of the car. Since then, I've been extra cautious. The advantage of a higher body is better off-road capability, but it sacrifices stability on paved roads. I recommend not lifting the body height too easily. If you're already driving a lifted vehicle, slow down when turning and avoid sharp steering inputs. In daily driving, pay more attention to road conditions and avoid taking sharp turns at high speeds.

[PeterLynn]

From an automotive design perspective, increasing vehicle height directly affects cornering stability. A higher center of gravity leads to greater body roll during turns, making the vehicle more prone to sway. Engineers mitigate this by reinforcing the suspension system, but physical limitations remain. Vehicles with taller bodies like SUVs or off-roaders are inherently less stable than sedans. Modifying a vehicle to increase its height is even more dangerous and may cause accidents. We recommend car buyers or modifiers prioritize models with lower centers of gravity when making purchasing or modification decisions.