What Does a Car's Minimum Ground Clearance Refer To?
1 Answers
Car's minimum ground clearance refers to the distance between the lowest point of the chassis and the ground when the vehicle is fully loaded to its maximum allowed payload mass. For sedans, the lowest point of the body is usually located beneath the transmission or the oil pan; for off-road vehicles, it is typically the differential of the front or rear axle. A larger minimum ground clearance enhances the vehicle's ability to pass over obstacles or uneven terrain but raises the center of gravity, reducing stability. Conversely, a smaller minimum ground clearance diminishes this capability but lowers the center of gravity, thereby increasing stability. The ground clearance values of a car are not static and vary depending on the load condition.