The Victoria Napolitano Bookstore THE DRIVING COMPANY WORKBOOK | Page 26

APPROACH ANGLE
Because the front and rear of the vehicle hang over
the axles, they may drag on the ground. As you
approach a steep hill or mound, the front bumper
may contact the ground before the wheels can start
climbing. The amount of overhang and vehicle
clearance determines your approach angle.
RAMP ANGLE
When traveling over a large
mound or when cresting a
steep hill, the center part of
your vehicle may contact the
ground. If the front wheels
have cleared the top and the
rear wheels have not yet start-
ed climbing, or the top of a hill
flattens abruptly, then you risk
becoming
“high-centered.”
This is known as “ramp angle”
or “break-over angle” and is a
function of ground clearance
and the length of the wheel-
base.
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