Ride height: Difference between revisions

[[File:6386th RTU Logistics (14238412413).jpg|thumb|right|[[Chevrolet Suburban]] raised with aftermarket wheels and suspension mods{{snd}} note much greater ground clearance under front with independent suspension, compared to under rear live axle differential.{{Why|date=March 2024}}]]

'''Ride height''' or '''ground clearance''' is the amount of space between the base of an automobile [[tire]] and the lowest point (of the automobile, typically the axle)bottom exterior of the automobiledifferential housing (even though the lower [[Shock absorber|shock]] mounting point may be lower); or, more properly, to the shortest distance between a flat, level surface, and the lowest part of a vehicle other than those parts designed to contact the ground (such as tires, tracks, skis, etc.). Ground clearance is measured with standard vehicle equipment, and for cars, is usually given with no cargo or passengers.

For a higher ride height, the [[Center of mass#Center of gravity|center of mass]] of the car is higher, which makes for less precise and more dangerous handling characteristics (most notably, the chance of [[Vehicle rollover|rollover]] is higher). Higher ride heights will typically adversely affect [[aerodynamic]] properties. This is why [[sports car]]s typically have very low clearances, while [[off-road vehicle]]s and [[SUV]]s have higher ones. Two well-known extremes of each are the [[Ferrari F40]] and the [[Hummer]].

Some cars have used [[American Underslung|underslung frame]]s to achieve a lower ride height and the consequent improvement in center of gravity. The 1905-14 cars of the [[American Motor Car Company]] are one example.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/113_0606_25_dodge_roadster/ |title=Under-Budget Underslung - 1929 Dodge Roadster - Hot Rod Magazine |website=www.hotrod.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102175147/http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/113_0606_25_dodge_roadster/ |archive-date=2007-01-02}} </ref>

Lowering a car's [[Suspension (vehicle)|suspension]] is a common and relatively inexpensive aftermarket modification. Many car enthusiasts prefer the more aggressive look of a lowered body,{{According to whom|date=October 2017}}, and there is an easily realized [[car handling]] improvement from the lower [[center of gravity]]. Most passenger cars are produced such that one or two inches of lowering will not significantly increase the probability of damage. On most automobiles, ride height is modified by changing the length of the suspension [[Spring (device)|springs]], and is the essence of many aftermarket suspension kits supplied by manufacturers such as [[Eibach (company)|Eibach]]<ref>[https://eibach.com/us/ Eibach]</ref> and [[H&R (automotive manufacturer)|H&R]].<ref>[http://www.hrsprings.com/ H&R]</ref> For trucks, lifted trucks are popular with truck owners, who often upsize their wheels and tires when lifting their vehicles.

[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090522222432/http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/pdfs/freight/code_conduct_buses.pdf "Code of Practice for Buses", section 3.2: Ground Clearance]</ref> Too much ride height can cause the vehicle to have an excessively high [[center of gravity]], which could cause the vehicle to be unstable or even [[Vehicle rollover|flip]].