"Random Commenter" (theemptykinja)
05/03/2015 at 22:00 • Filed to: None
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"Random Commenter" (theemptykinja)
05/03/2015 at 22:00 • Filed to: None | 1
| 19 |
Hello Oppo...
I used the phrase “snap understeer” to describe that moment when you’re driving a FWD car hard, and you get understeer to the point where you instantly lose all traction on the front wheels, resulting in you spearing off in a straight line... Some people are giving me a lot of shit over using this term, so I decided to come here and get opinions. Would you agree that “snap understeer” (as defined below) is a proper term?
To make exactly what I mean by “snap understeer” clear, I’m going to provide some definitions.
Snap ~ verb
1. break or cause to break suddenly and completely
Understeer ~ verb
1. (of a motor vehicle) a tendency to turn less sharply than is intended.
Add them together:
Snap understeer ~ verb
1. a sudden and complete break of front wheel traction causing complete loss of ability to turn as intended.
I personally think “Snap understeer” is an appropriate term, as what people refer to as “understeer” is really “progressive understeer”... Again, some definitions to clarify...
Progressive ~ adjective
1. happening or developing gradually or in stages; proceeding step by step.
Understeer ~ verb
1. (of a motor vehicle) a tendency to turn less sharply than is intended.
Add them together:
Progressive Understeer ~ verb
1. a tendancy to turn less sharply than in intended developing gradually or in stages.
So, what say you fellow Opponauts? Is “snap understeer” a proper term?
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TheHondaBro
> Random Commenter
05/03/2015 at 20:59 |
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Snapundersteer is completely improper and totally isn’t the Italian Spiderman.
CAcoalminer
> Random Commenter
05/03/2015 at 21:00 |
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I believe that snap understeer is a proper term. Also, you did a terrific job of explaining your reasoning.
CB
> TheHondaBro
05/03/2015 at 21:02 |
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You say that, but he and Italian Spiderman have never been photographed together.
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CB
> Random Commenter
05/03/2015 at 21:03 |
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If GTFAC snap oversteer is a proper term, I think snap understeer is a real term. Your definition is quite good.
scoob
> Random Commenter
05/03/2015 at 21:08 |
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Snapundersteer bait
McMike
> Random Commenter
05/03/2015 at 21:14 |
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I applied throttle while turning once when it was really slick, and had to throw $400 at Mrs McMike’s car for suspension repairs.
“On snap, I just understeered into that curb”
Opposite Locksmith
> Random Commenter
05/03/2015 at 21:33 |
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In a Chrysler Sebring, yes. Absolutely.
beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
> Random Commenter
05/03/2015 at 22:13 |
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I dunno, I guess I’d have to see an example of what you think snap understeer is and see if another term is needed other than understeer.
snap oversteer is distinct from progressive oversteer in that it is also a quick and rapid change of angle.
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Random Commenter
> beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
05/03/2015 at 22:33 |
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I think the first car that crashes in this video would be a good example of “snap understeer”...
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beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
> Random Commenter
05/03/2015 at 22:46 |
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I wouldn’t use it, but I wouldn’t complain that you used it.
I guess my hesitance is that there’s no snapping motion, it just doesn’t turn.
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Random Commenter
> beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
05/03/2015 at 23:07 |
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I figured “snap” was an appropriate word... “snap” like as in “it happened in a snap”
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beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
> Random Commenter
05/04/2015 at 02:28 |
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I’d use sudden or catastrophic.
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Random Commenter
> beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
05/04/2015 at 03:37 |
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Sudden would work as well I suppose, but catastrophic seems a but melodramatic... I just think that if “snap oversteer” is an appropriate term, “snap understeer” is as well... I’m looking at it as it being the opposite end of the scale from “snap oversteer”...
Snap understeer
Understeer
Ideal Steering
Oversteer
Snap Oversteer
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beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
> Random Commenter
05/04/2015 at 07:36 |
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Catastrophe has its roots as meaning “sudden turn” for the worse. Which is why I’d use it :p
There’s a certain amount of symmetry in using snap understeer, but I guess it’s not colourful enough for me. Im not gonna be a wet blanket though
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Random Commenter
> beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
05/04/2015 at 07:58 |
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I get where you’re coming from, and I thank you for being civil about it... The people who had a problem with me using the term “snap understeer” where being major assholes to me about it, so your civility is much appreciated.
BloodlessWeevil
> Random Commenter
05/04/2015 at 08:01 |
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Yes, but I’m not convinced that it actually happens without also locking the wheels with the brakes or spinning them with too much power. Do you have examples, and can you be sure the driver just did not notice the light steering until it was gone completely?
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Random Commenter
> BloodlessWeevil
05/04/2015 at 12:09 |
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I posted a video in a reply to another comment... so take a look at the other comments... If you can’t find it, let me know and I’ll link you to it...
But speaking from personal experience: When I had my Toyota Camry V6, I was on a back road, and was pushing it a bit into a corner (within the speed limit though, I just wanted to see how much speed I could maintain) and the road was a tiny bit wet from drizzle earlier that day, and everything was going well... I had complete traction, and started to turn into the corner, until about 1/4 of the way through the turn my front wheels suddenly and completely lost all traction, and I found myself going in a perfectly straight line almost completely off the road... Luckily my rear tires maintained enough traction for me to apply the brakes before I ended up going through some bushes and down into a creek... Luckily only the front half of my car went off the road, and I managed to stop just short of the bushes.
TheTick247
> Random Commenter
05/04/2015 at 13:28 |
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Probably a matter of semantics.
With snap-oversteer, something new happens (an exaggerated -relative to the steering input- rotation of the back end of the car). With snap-understeer, as I visualize it, nothing or very little new happens (the car fails to rotate or barely rotates - relative to the steering input), essentially, you turn the wheel but still maintain the same direction of travel as before the steering input.
While I think it may work as term in theory, I think the average person would be more likely to describe it as a lack of grip (wheels suddenly lock-up so the tires cease rotating or traction is lost on a loose surface) resulting in a skid.
I don’t see where a person would say, “I went into the corner too hot, resulting in snap-understeer, sending me into the wall”. They’d say, “I went into the corner too hot, the wheels locked up/lost traction, and I skid off the track into the wall”.
Nater Kane
> Random Commenter
05/17/2016 at 09:43 |
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whether proper or not, it’s a ridiculous term i’ve enjoyed for a few years now. i also call it anti-rotating the car.