Handling is a term used to describe vehicle behavior when using the steering system to change direction. A vehicle that handles well is easy to control, especially at high speeds. These characteristics can be altered by a variety of changes in the vehicle, some of which change multiple characteristics.
Handling can be affected by fundamental factors in a vehicle, such as the design/rigidity/flex points in the chassis (or unibody), or adjustable components that affect alignment or the way weight transfers between wheels, and especially by tire width, tread design, and rubber compound.
- Coasting
- Drifting
- Oversteer
- Steering Wheel
- Torque Steer
- Twitchy
- Understeer
- Wheel Spin
Handling Characteristics
While handling improvements are often thought of as unnecessary enthusiast tinkering, they can improve the safety of the vehicle by allowing it to more easily avoid dangers ahead.