LONGITUDINAL

Longitudinal

How your vehicle behaves when you brake, accelerate, or coast directly affects your control on the road. Longitudinal forces—those acting in the forward and backward direction—play a major role in how your car handles, especially during emergency maneuvers or poor weather conditions. These forces influence traction, stopping distance, and your ability to react to sudden changes.

What are longitudinal forces in driving? How do braking and acceleration affect vehicle stability? What causes a vehicle to skid when stopping or starting? Why is it dangerous to accelerate too quickly in slippery conditions? What is the safest way to regain control if your wheels lose traction while braking?

This page provides a clear and practical look at how longitudinal forces impact road safety and vehicle performance. By understanding how these forces operate and how to manage them, drivers can improve their control, reduce the risk of collisions, and respond more confidently to hazards. Whether you're navigating dry pavement or slick roads, this knowledge is essential for anyone who wants to drive with greater safety and skill.

A vehicle will start sliding along the longitudinal axis as a result of one of two causes as shown below:

Acceleration:

Accelerating to the point that the tires lose grip.
Often times the vehicle loses directional stability and the back of the vehicle starts 'fishtailing.'

Braking:

When braking too hard, the wheels will lock up and lose grip.
Frequently the vehicle loses directional stability and starts sliding at an angle.

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🛈 Info:

⮟ Longitudinal forces on a vehicle in motion

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🛈 Longitudinal forces on a vehicle in motion

When a vehicle is in motion, it is subject to several longitudinal forces, which act parallel to the direction of motion. These forces include:

Acceleration force: The acceleration force is the force that propels the vehicle forward or backward. When the driver presses on the accelerator pedal, the engine generates torque that creates a force on the wheels, which propels the vehicle forward.
Braking force: The braking force is the force that slows down or stops the vehicle. When the driver presses on the brake pedal, the brake system generates friction between the brake pads and the wheels, which creates a force that slows down or stops the vehicle.
Rolling resistance: Rolling resistance is the force that resists the motion of the vehicle caused by the interaction between the tires and the road surface. This force is influenced by factors such as tire design, inflation pressure, and road surface conditions.
Grade resistance: Grade resistance is the force that the vehicle experiences when driving uphill or downhill. When driving uphill, the vehicle experiences a force that opposes its forward motion, while when driving downhill, the vehicle experiences a force that accelerates its forward motion.

Understanding the longitudinal forces acting on a moving vehicle is important for vehicle design, safety, and fuel efficiency.

Engineers and designers use this knowledge to optimize the design of vehicles for performance, efficiency, and safety, while drivers can use this knowledge to adjust their driving habits based on road conditions and vehicle performance.

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