On most automobiles, ride height is modified by changing the length of the suspension springs, and is the essence of many aftermarket suspension kits supplied by manufacturers such as Eibach and H&R. Most passenger cars are produced such that one or two inches of lowering will not significantly increase the probability of damage. Many car enthusiasts prefer the more aggressive look of a lowered body, and there is an easily realized car handling improvement from the lower center of gravity. Lowering a car's suspension is a common and relatively inexpensive aftermarket modification. Other, simpler suspension systems, such as coilover springs, offer a way of manually adjusting ride height (and often, spring stiffness) by compressing the spring in situ, using a threaded shaft and adjustable knob or nut.īMW E46 "stanced" using aftermarket suspension kit Aftermarket This adjustment can be automatic, depending on road conditions, and/or the settings selected by the driver. Some modern automobiles (such as the Audi Allroad Quattro and Tesla Model S) have height adjustable suspension, which can vary the ride height by adjusting the hydropneumatic suspension or air suspension. Vehicles not equipped with self-leveling will pitch down at one end when laden this adversely affects ride, handling, and aerodynamic properties. The suspension detects the load via mechanical or electronic means and raises or lowers the vehicle, by inflating cylinders in the suspension to lift the chassis higher. Self-leveling suspension systems are designed to maintain a constant ride height regardless of load. The 1905-14 cars of the American Motor Car Company are one example. Some cars have used underslung frames to achieve a lower ride height and the consequent improvement in center of gravity. The table below provides average ride height for different car types which were available on the market in India in 2020: Avg. Two well-known extremes are the Ferrari F40 with a 12.5 cm (4.9 in) ride height and the Hummer H2 with a 25 cm (9.8 in) ride height.
This is why sports cars typically have very low clearances, while off-road vehicles and SUVs have higher ones.Ī road car usually has a ride height around 16–17 cm (6.3–6.7 in), while an SUV usually lies around 19–22 cm (7.5–8.7 in). Higher ride heights will typically adversely affect aerodynamic properties. Also, the car is more capable of being driven on roads that are not level, without the scraping against surface obstacles and possibly damaging the chassis and underbody.įor a higher ride height, the center of mass of the car is higher, which makes for less precise and more dangerous handling characteristics (most notably, the chance of rollover is higher). For all vehicles, especially cars, variations in clearance represent a trade-off between handling, ride quality, and practicality.Ī higher ride height and ground clearance means that the wheels have more vertical room to travel and absorb road shocks. Ground clearance is a critical factor in several important characteristics of a vehicle.