Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I recall learning this in a class on the automotive industry about 20 years ago. We learned about unintended consequences that caused the US automotive market to favor SUVs (see the Chicken tax [1]), and some of the downsides of SUVs.

My recollection is that SUVs have longer stopping distances because the ABS has to pause braking more frequently to avoid instability or rollover. It's possible, as another commenter suggested, that I'm recalling ESC, but that wasn't very common in the early 2000s. I think it might have something to do with the fact that the nose of a vehicle dives when braking, and a high CoG exacerbates this. But it's been 20 years, and I've scarcely thought about the course since then!

1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax



No discussion of the federal government pushing Americans to buy SUVs would be complete without mentioning the favorable depreciation schedule that can (could?) be applied to larger SUVs [1] and the lower standards that they face for fuel efficiency.[2]

[1] https://www.section179.org/section_179_vehicle_deductions/ [2] https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1102305_will-tighter-ca... (Both links are admittedly lazy, but think of them as entering arguments for further research if you care.)


How exactly would a braking SUV rollover? It'd effectively have to do a front flip. The center of gravity might be high, but that would require circus car level of high to get a front flip from a vehicle like that.


Corners, particularly those with roads that are banked, make for some interesting side to side rollover fodder.

There's that famous Ford Explorer tire issue in 2001 or so that makes for some (dated) examples of SUV rollover accidents.


I don't think ABS is going to help much if someone puts inadequate tires on your vehicle.

Also you have it backwards. Banked corners actually reduce the chance of rollover. It's why NASCAR tracks have a large slope. It allows the drivers to brake farther out and longer into the turn before beginning to transition back onto the throttle.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: