SUV's have beefier brakes to compensate for their higher mass.

I agree that 4wd gives you the advantage of starting easier without necessarily giving you the ability to stop better than anyone else.

Now, traction is essentially friction between the road surface (in this case ice) and the tires.

Since frictional force is the product of the co-efficient of friction (u) and the force normal to the surface (the mass of the vehicle multiplied by gravity, FN)

Therefore, traction = u(FN)

Once an object is sliding, the co-efficient of friction is dramatically reduced. Assuming the brakes don't lock up (ABS), or the tires are spinning (traction control) we can ignore that phenomenon here.

Based on the above statements: Two vehicles, one- a car weighing 3000lbs, the other- an SUV weighing 6000lbs. Assuming identical road conditions and tires, the SUV would have twice as much braking traction as the car- AWD or not.

Here's the twist: Due to the higher mass of the SUV, the SUV would have twice the momentum for the same velocity, and therefore would require twice as much energy to stop.

Consequential proof that an SUV cannot stop any faster than a car given the same conditions.






posted by 65.123.118...

• SUVs and snow, Bob M, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 11:00:48
  • Don't blame the SUV..., Dr. Eric Strauss, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 20:38:57
    • Re: traction, BobS, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 22:40:28
    • Re: open axels, BobS, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 22:37:58
      • Well, not so much...., Dr. Eric Strauss, Sat, 8 Feb 2003 16:40:38
  • I once passed 21 cars off the road on a trip to VT..., Chris., Fri, 7 Feb 2003 16:14:58
  • Since we have an SUV..., Noel, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 16:05:48
  • Re: SUVs and snow, Rod'899kT, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 14:43:22
    • Oh yeah too deeeeeeeeeeeep, saw, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 15:39:45
  • Yes, it is always the driver, the car doesn't drive...., TKC, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 13:01:57
    • i agree more traction affords a false sense of security, tturboboy, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 15:41:58
      • Problem is that there is less traction with SUV's too!, saw, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 15:57:22
    • SUV's and traction., bRAD, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 14:24:57 <-- Viewing This Message
      • Not sure your use of friction formula applies ..., TKC, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 22:44:27
      • Re: SUV's and traction., jp, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 16:20:20
      • to add to that, consider ..., RS , Fri, 7 Feb 2003 15:54:01
  • So true. People who would properly >, ChipJ, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 11:32:09
    • so why do SUV's get the blame when the problem, MJM , Fri, 7 Feb 2003 11:38:47
      • Damn lies and statistics... (long), Wes Miller, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:15:44
        • Good post, No.9, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:49:19
      • My theory..., KQuigley, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:03:03
      • Maybe it is the arrogance of some SUV drivers......, REM in Seattle , Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:00:14
        • Re: Maybe it is the arrogance of some SUV drivers......, No.9, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:09:24

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