What does the departure angle of a car mean?
2 Answers
The departure angle of a car is the angle between the tangent line drawn from the lowest point at the rear end of the car to the outer edge of the rear wheel and the ground. The departure angle refers to the angle between the tangent line drawn from the protruding point at the rear of the car to the rear wheel and the road surface when the car is fully loaded and stationary. It is the maximum angle between the horizontal plane and the plane tangent to the outer edge of the vehicle's rear wheel tire (under static load). When a car moves from a slope with a gradient greater than the approach angle to flat ground, its rear will come into contact with the slope. The departure angle of a car characterizes its ability to avoid collisions when leaving obstacles such as small hills or ditches. The larger the departure angle, the better the car's off-road capability.
As an off-road enthusiast, I often drive on rugged terrain. The departure angle refers to the maximum angle at which the rear of the car lifts when exiting a downhill slope. It determines how steep a slope I can drive without scraping the chassis or rear bumper. For example, when driving a Jeep, a vehicle with a larger departure angle can safely navigate rocky terrain, while a smaller one might damage the differential or exhaust system. Together with the approach angle and breakover angle, it significantly impacts the vehicle's overall off-road capability, making it super critical for off-roading. When buying a car, it's essential to check this parameter—vehicles with 20 degrees or more are generally better suited for adventure. In actual driving, I measure the angle in advance when encountering steep slopes to avoid risky rollovers. A design that maintains a high departure angle offers more flexibility and fewer headaches during outdoor exploration, but it's less relevant for city driving where roads are flat. In short, understanding this can save you a lot of repair troubles.
