Question Category: Band 2 traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians, mechanical knowledge


You're driving along a dual carriageway and have to brake hard in a straight line. Which wheels do most of the braking?


Explanation

"When brakes are applied on a car moving in a straight line, they slow the rotation of the wheels but the rest of the car tries to continue moving forward. This shifts more of the car's weight onto the front wheels, making steering more difficult. If the car is cornering when the brakes are applied, the weight shifts both forward and towards the outside of the bend, thus the weight is loaded onto one front wheel. In severe cases, this can lead to skidding or even cause the car to roll over."