Is A 50/50 Weight Distribution Ideal?

Vehicle weight distribution plays an important role in vehicle dynamics. Often, it's stated that a 50 50 weight distribution is ideal. Let's look into why weight distribution is important, and determine what factors moving a vehicles center of gravity changes. Understeer, oversteer, and many handling characteristics can be altered through weight distribution.

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[tlaps]

This is the reason you often see wider tyres on the rear. They have a higher cornering stiffness and can cope with more weight allowing the COG to be moved back. As mentioned, moving the weight back is benefitial for traction and braking, but also steering performance. The distance from the COG to the front axles makes a longer lever arm.

[randomname]

I think there needs a prequel for this video explaining how to take a racing corner. You did briefly mention neutral throttle during the corner and yet people are still arguing about acceleration. I think clarity is needed in regards to braking point, turn-in, neutral throttle, apex, post-acceleration and how the 50/50 fits into that.

[patrickfargie]

Currently building and setting up a car in BeamNG and looking up some information based on my initial tests and this is the first video that comes up haha

[jeromehattkronen]

Last statement was wrong. Moment of inertia is not lowest at 50/50, it's Reduced by moving the CofG toward the rear. - because cars do not rotate around the C of G, they mostly rotate around the centre of the rear axle, especially at low speeds. Gaining a lower moment of inertia is actually one more reason for moving the CG towards the rear axle.

[mutasemCarD]

I'm really impressed. I noticed a YouTube plaque behind you. Thank you so much. You deserve the best :)

[stijnpeeters]

Can't you make a video about over revving?
That would be nice!
Greetings...

[thomaspinder]

Could you do a short video on wheelbase vs track in terms of handling and stability? I've looked all over and the only thing that I was able to find was "shorter cars turn better and longer cars rock less under acceleration."

[skorpionic]

The way people say 50/50 being ideal is misleading. They usually forgot to mention static weight distribution.

Look at the GT-R for example. IIRC, it has a weight distribution of 54/46 when it is not moving. However, when it is moving, this weight distribution shifts closer to 50/50 throughout straights and corners.

[Bigwaffles]

So this may be a silly question but here it goes. If a car had a 50/50 weight distribution, and in the rear, the car had a lot of down force, would that make a big difference in the rear brakes ability to slow the car. Would more downforce in the rear even thought the car is balanced 50/50 enhance the braking ability of the rear tires?

[globalforce]

This has to be one of the most informative videos i have ever watched on YT. Thanks!

[Carking]

how do some cars like the Mazda Miata an s2000 which both have front engine and front mounted transmissions have a 50-50 weight distribution? All the weight is in the front.

[crxdelsolsir]

Biased weight distribution is better in everyday driving as it is generally safer, more economical, responds better to engine modifications and wheel/tyre modifications. Here is why...

All else being equal (tyre material, rim size etc) maximum traction you
can achieve will largely be a product of the weight placed on the tyres
of the driven wheels.

If we were to have two identical vehicles (total weight, engine power, transmission gearing etc) the vehicle having a biased weight distribution on the driven wheels of say 60/40 rather than 50/50 means that at any given time there will be greater maximum traction on the vehicle with a biased distribution.

This also means the vehicle with a biased weight distribution will have more ability to plant more power should the engine power be increase as in modifications.

A biased weight distribution also means the driven wheels have a higher threshold of traction in motion such as the lateral shear forces experienced in a turn. This makes the car safer as the car has a higher threshold before losing traction and control.

So in short a 50/50 is not the best for traction. A biased weight distribution has better traction, much safer in everyday driving, ability to reduce wheel spin when ground pressure is reduced such as when wider tyres are fitted and is also more economical with less minute slippages experienced.

[cstUvg]

Engineering Explained what do you think about Lexus LFA weight distribution Front 48% Rear 52%? this is the perfect weight balance for stability in the corners and better handling?

[Gigabomber]

not sure how but my front wheel drive front engine golf oversteers and I love it.

[mazin]

Question:
does a mid engine car with a 50/50 weight distribution still accelerate better than a front engine car with 50/50 weight distribution, with all else being equal?

[HATECELL]

Does the size of the tires matter? I once read an article about a car (I think it was the V8 Vantage) that has a 50/50 weight distribution and the author said that it is completely pointless because the rear tires are wider than the front tires

[AzNgiftedkid]

Doesn't 50/50 weight distribution also help with tyre wear consistency?

[mworx]

Surprisingly this is the result of the formula used above for my bmw e46 m3. The 3 answers are measured at 30 50 and 70mph and given as front/rear percentage
49/51
52/48
46/54
On Michelin pilot sport 4s tyres at 255/35x19 front and 275/30x19 rear 35psi front and 38psi rear

[TheHm]

I don't understand how loading the front tires equals more understeer. Loading the front tires during a corner takes away weight from the rear, thus the rear tires should kick out given it's the lighter end, right?

[hachiido]

Hey i have a question. Does it make a difference in handling and weight distribution if the center lock of the wheel was at 0 offset or not? And why?