Oversteer and understeer — Louisiana Permit Test

Oversteer is when the rear tires lose traction before the front ones in a turn, so the back of the car slides to the outside of the corner.

When the back end slides out, the car turns more than you meant and feels like it is trying to spin.

It is a phenomenon whereby the rear tires lose its traction before the front wheel during cornering.

Rear-wheel drive vehicles are more prone to oversteer.

The back tires must both push the car and grip in the turn, so they reach their limit sooner.

Rear wheel drive vehicles are more prone to over steer.

If your car oversteers, gently reduce the steering angle and ease off the gas; slamming the brakes makes it worse.

Hard braking takes even more grip from the back tires and can turn a slide into a spin.

The correct reaction is to reduce the steering angle gently and ease off the accelerator.

Understeer is when the front tires lose traction before the rear ones, so the car turns less than expected; front-wheel drive cars are more prone to it.

When the front tires slide, the car keeps going wider than the turn you are trying to make.

Front wheel drive vehicles are more prone to under steer.

If your car understeers, lift off the gas and apply the brakes so more weight moves to the front tires.

Turning the wheel harder only makes the front tires slide more; slowing down puts weight on them so they grip.

The correct reaction is to lift off the accelerator and apply the brakes.

Understeer is safer than oversteer; an understeering car takes a wider corner but stays stable.

A car that runs a little wide can still be steered, but a car whose back end slides out can spin.

Under steer is safer than over steer.

What happens when a car oversteers?

The rear tires lose grip first. When the back end slides out, the car turns more than you meant and feels like it is trying to spin. Class D & E Driver's Guide, p.48: “It is a phenomenon whereby the rear tires lose its traction before the front wheel during cornering.”