Why Is Good Car Handling Important?

When experts rate cars as good or bad, they often bring up the model’s handling. They like to discuss how a model handles like a dream or wallows like a pig in the mud. Their debate can sometimes turn subjective, which doesn’t help you and other ordinary drivers who usually want a car that is easy to drive.

So what is car handling, exactly? Why is it helpful for your vehicle? And how does good handling benefit you?

What Is Car Handling?

Car handling is how a vehicle responds to inputs from the driver through controls like the brake, throttle, and steering. It includes how the car moves on the road per the driver’s instruction. Other names for it include automotive handling and vehicle handling.

To determine car handling, you usually look at how the vehicle behaves during typical maneuvers such as speeding up, slowing down, coming to a stop, and changing directions.

Furthermore, you must check the car’s directional stability, or how stable the vehicle behaves in a direction perpendicular to the course it follows while traveling at a steady speed. Higher stability means better handling.

Another definition of car handling is the effort and sensations experienced by the driver while operating the vehicle. While you can easily quantify the performance-based interpretation, this one is more subjective and will vary from driver to driver. After all, you can’t apply a measuring stick to gut feeling.

Why Is Good Car Handling Important?

When professional drivers talk about a car, they’ll eventually bring up its handling characteristics. That’s how much drivers value car handling. You can still drive a vehicle with poor handling. However, you won’t enjoy the dismal experience of fighting with the controls.

Here are the reasons why good handling benefits you and your car:

Stay in Control at Higher Speeds

Good car handling enables you to drive your vehicle at higher speeds. And that speed boost isn’t limited to going in a straight line.

Time is money. The faster you cover a distance, the more time you have to spare. Of course, you need to follow the legal speed limits and take precautions to avoid road accidents. But if you do it safely, no one will begrudge your NASCAR driver impression.

However, you slow down whenever you need to make a turn. High speeds reduce tire traction, which is the grip exerted by the tire tread on the road surface.

If you corner too fast, your car might skid across the road. And while the anti-lock brake system can usually compensate for the sudden slide, there is still the risk of hitting something or someone.

Good handling gives you better control over your car. It lets you stay on top of things during high-speed cornering and other scenarios that usually make it harder to operate your vehicle. When combined with a properly adjusted suspension, car handling makes driving tasks like cornering and steering close to effortless.

Safer on the Road

Car handling also helps keep you safe on the road. As mentioned, good handling lets you stay in control while driving at higher speeds. By preventing abrupt loss of control, good car handling reduces the risk of accidents and collisions.

Furthermore, good handling makes the driving process easier for you. Your car responds faster to lighter control inputs, so you don’t have to fight the steering wheel or micromanage the throttle while you drive.

Since you’re not busy or tired from manhandling the controls, you have more energy and awareness to observe your surroundings. You can also rest assured about your car’s response time in an emergency.

Extends Tire Lifespan

Tires also benefit from car handling. A vehicle with good handling reduces tire wear, which increases the lifespan of the parts.

Save Money on Maintenance and Repair Costs

A vehicle is a significant investment. Not only do you put down a lot of money to get one in the first place, but you also have to pay for its maintenance and repair.

Car handling can reduce the wear on various parts. Tires aren’t the only parts that get spared unnecessary wear and tear.

For example, good handling can reduce the number of times you must hit the brakes to avoid hitting something. This extends the service lives of brake parts, such as the pads and rotors.

Have Fun While You Drive

Driving is an enjoyable activity. You can rocket down the highway in your sports car, tackle uneven terrain with your sturdy SUV or truck, or enjoy entertainment features.

Car handling makes driving even more fun. A vehicle with light, responsive handling requires less effort. It takes a load off your mind and body, letting you relax instead of constantly micromanaging your car.

How Can You Improve Car Handling?

Not all vehicles enjoy identical handling. Nimble sports cars handle differently from placid sedans. The same applies to SUVs and trucks, even though both types nominally can go off-road.

Car handling can also vary between models. Some models enjoy popularity in part because of their superior handling.

If you aren’t satisfied with how your vehicle handles on or off the road, you can take steps to improve its handling.

Here are some easy but effective ways you can improve your vehicle’s handling:

Tire Alignment

When your car rolls out of the factory, its tires are usually perfectly aligned. However, they’ll lose alignment over time, especially if you drive hard.

Now and then, bring your car in for a tire alignment to restore its handling. You can schedule a performance alignment and further enhance handling, although it will increase tire wear.

Performance Brake Pads

Consider upgrading your car’s brake pads. Sturdier pads have superior heat management and produce less brake dust. They also operate more quietly, adding to your peace of mind.

Some experts advise upgrading the brake pads and fluid if you install performance tires. Your car’s capability must match that of its tires.

Improved Tires

Tires not only benefit from car handling, they also contribute to the latter. Their grip on the road surface affects your vehicle’s controllability. Get a set with superior tire traction in the conditions you expect during a drive. For example, get highway tires if you frequent the highways or winter tires to deal with snow and ice.