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{{Short description|Distance between the base of a tire and the lowest point of the automobile}}
{{
[[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
== Function ==
[[File:Breakover angle diagram.svg|358x358px|right|thumb|Ground clearance affects [[breakover angle]] of a car. (β° = Breakover angle; C = Underside of chassis; W = Wheel; G = Ground; M = Midpoint of [[wheelbase]])]]
Ground clearance is a critical factor in several important characteristics of a vehicle. For all vehicles, especially cars, variations in clearance represent a trade-off between [[Automobile handling|handling]], [[ride quality]], and practicality.
A higher ride height and ground clearance means that the [[
For a higher ride height, the [[
== Example ride heights ==
A road car usually has a ride height around {{cvt|16-17|cm|in|1}}, while an [[Sport utility vehicle|SUV]] usually lies around {{cvt|19-22|cm|in|1}}. Two well-known extremes are the [[Ferrari F40]] with a {{cvt|12.5|cm|in|1}} ride height<ref>[https://www.carfolio.com/ferrari-f40-27247 1987 Ferrari F40 specifications | technical data | performance | fuel economy | emissions | dimensions | horsepower | torque | weight]</ref> and the [[Hummer H1]] with a {{cvt|40.64|cm|in|1}} ride height.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
The table below provides average ride height for different car types which were available on the market in India in 2020:<ref>[https://gomechanic.in/blog/best-ground-clearance-in-india/ How much Ground Clearance is Good Ground Clearance in India?]</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Avg. ride height
!Car type
|-
|{{cvt|135-140|mm|in|1}}
|[[Sports car]]
|-
|{{cvt|165|mm|in|1}}
|[[Sedan (automobile)|Sedan]]
|-
|{{cvt|168|mm|in|1}}
|[[Hatchback]]
|-
|{{cvt|170|mm|in|1}}
|[[Compact car]]
|-
|{{cvt|190-200|mm|in|1}}
|[[Compact sport utility vehicle|Compact SUV]]
|-
|{{cvt|225|mm|in|1}}
|[[Sport utility vehicle|SUV]]
|}
==Specialized uses==
===Underslung frame===
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>
===Self-leveling===
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[[File:Lowered BMW M3.jpg|thumb|BMW E46 "stanced" using aftermarket suspension kit]]
===Aftermarket===
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}}
===Military===
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===Trucks===
[[Image:MUTCD W10-5.svg|140px|thumb|right|[[Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices|MUTCD]] warning sign for a [[Level
18-wheel [[tractor-trailers]] also have to take the ground clearance of both their tractor and especially trailer into consideration on certain areas of uneven terrain, such as raised [[Level crossing|railroad crossings]]. Their extremely long [[wheelbase]] means that such terrain could potentially catch the undercarriage of the trailer in the wide space between the axles, potentially leaving the truck stuck with no means to extricate itself.
===Buses===
In some areas buses are required to have a ground clearance of at least {{convert|100|mm|frac=16|abbr=on}}.<ref>
[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]].
==See also==
{{Div col|colwidth=23em}}
* [[Approach and departure angles]]
* [[Body lift]]
* [[Breakover angle]]
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* [[Suspension lift]]
* [[Lowrider]]
* [[Turning diameter]]
{{div col end}}
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