Feel like you’re driving a boat down the road? If so, then it might be time to address your daily driver’s handling characteristics.
Many folks think the word ‘handling’ only applies to springs, struts and shocks. Unfortunately, this suggests that related components like tires, brakes, steering systems, and driver inputs are largely unrelated to the way that a car behaves on the road. This is entirely untrue!
As a result, we thought we’d consider ways to make your vehicle more efficient whenever it’s doing more than just sitting in the driveway.
So, what is handling?
First, a definition. In automotive jargon, "handling" refers to a vehicle's efficiency when maneuvering. The applied meaning typically involves elements like steering, suspension, brakes, and tires – which in turn, can trigger dynamic impacts related to cornering, damper efficiency, and body roll along with how efficiently a car accelerates or stops.
Basically, handling refers to the vehicle’s ability to respond to driver inputs. Good handling means the vehicle is easy to control and feels stable, even in challenging driving conditions like tight turns or bumpy roads. Bad handling, by comparison, refers to a lack of control and a feeling of unpredictability or even danger.
Symptoms of Bad Handling
In general, unless someone is a performance aficionado, most drivers consider bad handling to be suspension-related. However, there are a number of interrelated elements that could cause your vehicle to flop, bounce, or roll when it’s in motion.
Here are some of the more evident symptoms:
Difficulty steering. If your vehicle is hard to steer, feels unresponsive when turning, or doesn’t point where you want the car to go, then steering issues could be a culprit. Causes here can involve low power steering fluid, worn-out steering components, or more often than not, alignment problems.
Uneven tire wear. If your tires are wearing unevenly, this usually signals a problem with one or more suspension components. However, it could also be caused by misalignment associated with wheel camber, caster, or toe, or even a failure of steering axis inclination. Any of these elements can cause a vehicle to pull to one side or the other, mis-point required driver inputs, and generally make the car harder to control.
Vibration or shaking. If you feel vibration or shaking while driving, it could involve tires, suspension elements, or the steering system. Causes can involve damaged or unbalanced wheels, flat-spotted tires, worn out shocks, warped or broken struts, or damaged steering components.
Irregular braking. If your vehicle doesn't stop efficiently or pulls to one side when braking, then the cause could involve problems with one or more brake or suspension components. Direct causes here can be worn out brake pads, rotors, or uneven brake wear.
Excessive body roll. If your vehicle’s body structure rolls side to side when turning, it usually involves suspension or sway bar components. Either area of interest can cause a vehicle to become unstable and generally harder to control.
No-Cost Tips to Improve Handling
Believe it or not, handling issues are not just related to mechanical malfunctions. Regular maintenance and how you drive play an important role too.
Here are some ‘free’ tips to keep your vehicle handling efficiently.
Keep your tires properly inflated. Proper tire pressure can improve your vehicle's handling, as well as increase fuel efficiency and extend tire life. Check your tire pressure regularly (at least once a month) and inflate them to the recommended level.
Slow down before turning. Slow down and decelerate slightly before turning. This allows you to maintain better control of the vehicle and reduces the potential of tire slip. Professionals call this technique ‘rolling through the corner’. The goal is to aim the vehicle at the corner, reduce speed before apex, and accelerate at the exit.
Avoid sudden movements. Abrupt movements, such as sudden braking or sharp turns, can disrupt the balance of the vehicle. Try to anticipate changes in traffic or road conditions before they become problems. This is called ‘being ahead of the car’.
Be aware of road conditions. Different road conditions can affect your vehicle's handling, such as wet or icy roads, potholes, or gravel. Adjust your driving style accordingly, such as slowing down or increasing following distance, to ensure you maintain control of the vehicle.
Maintenance Tips to Improve Handling
The whole premise of proper handling represents the application of effective mechanical systems mated to accurate driver inputs. That means if the system is wrong, the consequence of driver inputs will usually be wrong as well.
As a result, maintaining the ‘handling system’ involves a cluster of elements. Here are the ones you should keep in regular check.
Rotate and balance your tires. Uneven tire wear affects vehicle handling, so it's very important to rotate your tires regularly to ensure even wear. Balancing your wheels/tires also improves handling and prevents vibration.
Keep your suspension system in good condition. Have your suspension system inspected regularly by a qualified mechanic, especially if your vehicle exhibits any of aforementioned symptoms. Replace any worn or damaged components as necessary.
Check and replace worn out brake components. Regularly maintain brake components including brake pads or rotors and replace as needed.
Ensure proper wheel alignment. Proper wheel alignment ensures that all of your vehicle's wheels and tires are in concert with one other. Have your alignment checked regularly and adjust it as needed.
Aftermarket Solutions for Better Handling
There are numerous mechanical upgrades available when it comes to the goal of improved handling. Just to offer a few examples of what the market currently offers, here are some general takes to help you get started. Again, these are general suggestions, not specific recommendations since your car may call for more specific fitment.
Suspension Upgrades
Upgraded suspension components can greatly improve the handling of a vehicle by reducing body roll and improving overall stability. These components can involve stiffer springs, more sophisticated shock systems, altered spring rates, the addition of sway bars, and beefier struts.
Companies such as KW Suspension and H&R Springs offer suspension kits that package many of these items together as an all-in-one solution.
Brake Upgrades
More sophisticated brake pads and rotors can improve vehicle stopping power while reducing braking distances. EBC, Wilwood, and Hawk are all brands well-known for high-performance brake upgrades, with kits that typically include upgraded calipers, rotors, and brake pads.
Tires
High-performance tires improve grip and handling, especially in corners. Wider tires also improve a vehicle’s handling.
For daily drivers, brands like Yokohama and Toyo offer premium, dependable, and long-lasting tires for better traction and stability. And for those looking to push their vehicles to the limit – on the street, the strip, or even the trails – Mickey Thompson is guaranteed to deliver positive results.
Steering upgrades
Upgrading a steering system improves vehicle responsiveness, allowing for quicker turn-in and better handling. This can be affected by the installation of a quick-ratio steering rack, more sophisticated steering box, and/or upgrading the system’s steering pump.
Look to brands like Borgeson, A1 Cardone, and Crown for superb quality and durability.
Aerodynamics
Improved aerodynamics reduces drag and improves handling, especially at high speeds. This process can be affected by the addition of a front splitter, also known as an air-dam or valence, as well as body-side contouring, blended wheel-well contouring, top Gurney flaps, a rear wing, and/or a rear end diffuser.
If you want to give your daily driver a boost, consider an aerodynamic upgrade from Air Design USA. Quick and easy to install, they offer both quality manufacturing and tasteful styling.
Chassis reinforcement
Adding reinforcement across a vehicle’s lateral and longitude axes promotes overall stiffness while reducing body/chassis flex and improving overall handling. These enhancements can be affected by the use of strut braces, the introduction of an interior roll cage, or the application of chassis reinforcement plates.
Whiteline and BMR Suspension are two quality brands to turn to for these types of upgrades.
Like other sets of mechanical components, the process of maintaining and/or upgrading various systems is highly subjective. That said, driver techniques also involve themselves in the driving experience, so bear in mind that effective vehicle handling is a matrix of elements, not just a single area of focus.