Glossary / General

understeering

20 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

Understeering is when a car doesn't turn as much as you want it to. It feels like the car is going straight even when you're trying to turn, which can happen if the front tires lose grip.

Technical Definition

Understeering occurs when a car turns less than the driver intends, often leading to a wider turn than expected. This happens when the front tires lose grip before the rear tires, causing the vehicle to push forward instead of turning sharply.

Hear It Discussed

"...what does this car do if I turn in, and I'm understeering, and I stab the pedal, or just drag brake, and I get it sideways..."
Ask Us Anything: Part 3 — The Carmudgeon Show with Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep. 195 The Carmudgeon Show 19:41

"like you get enough information that like I knew when I was [1656.7s] understeering for easily. Yeah. And you've driven enough cars, you know, you don't need [1662.9s] super, super steering feel..."
Driving School; Dodge Charger Review; 1981 Classifieds; Q&A The Smoking Tire 27:32

"it was hiking over, not understeering, not, you know, or not the tails coming around, but just very soft."
2026 Jeep Cherokee Laredo Talking Cars (MP3) 19:28