Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Tue 18 Oct 2011 22:57
Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd? - Trilogy

While on holiday I was talking about my W124 estate having a tighter turning circle than my Octavia. I couldn't really explain the reason, apart from the fact I believe fwd driving through the turning wheels tends to push them out and its to do with the steering geometry.

Can someone provide a definitive answer? And am I correct in thinking rwd cars tyres last longer? Is this for the same reason?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Oct 2011 00:18
Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd? - bathtub tom

FWD have to have a drive system that copes with supension movement and steering inputs. They deal with this with constant velocity joints (CVJ) usually.

By limiting the range of steering available, cost savings can be made in the design.

Without driving the front wheels, large angles can be achieved, think London taxis and Triumph Herald.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Oct 2011 08:21
Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd? - Dwight Van Driver

It is easier to push than to pull innit?

dvd

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Oct 2011 11:35
Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd? - gordonbennet

As above, though some FWD vehicles can have quite acute turning circles.

Peugeot's Boxer van and it's Citroen/Fiat triplets have amazing turning circles.

DVD's right. it's much easier to push than pull, don't see proper cars, RWD, struggling to get grip and wheelspinning like some boy racer trying to pull away sharply from a busy junction.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Oct 2011 17:15
Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd? - idle_chatterer

Don't FWD cars tend to have their engines mounted transversely whilst RWD tend to have longitudinally mounted engines ? Transverse engines take up more of the car's overall width allowing less room for the wheels to turn within a given footprint perhaps ?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Oct 2011 17:30
Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd? - dieseldogg

Simplistically to protect the CV joints, or extend their "mean time before failure" life , mind you I am astonished at the tight turning circle of our year old Octavia.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Oct 2011 17:32
Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd? - jamie745

I was surprised at how easy it was to turn the S-Type round in a tight little residential road recently (i got lost, very lost) and thats RWD.

Obviously we must acknowledge my three point turn skills are simply wonderful.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Oct 2011 17:51
Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd? - AlastairM

Used to have a honda Accord 'j' reg which had a QE2 style turning circle and that was FWD now have a Subaru Forester 4x4 which has a realy good one. I think that it's probably more related to the design of the front end.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Oct 2011 21:48
Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd? - Pat L

I own a VW Passat and a MINI and the turning circle on the MINI is significantly bigger than the Passat's.

Years ago I had a Merc 190 and for a biggish car this had a small turning circle. The front wheels actually tilted over on full lock, so maybe that helped. (great car in most respects!)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Oct 2011 21:49
Why do rwd have a tighter turning circle than fwd? - Avant

"I think that it's probably more related to the design of the front end."

Yes, and also the thickness of the tyres. SWMBO used to have a Honda Civic 2.0 S, a very good car but with a turning circle which was much worse than the 1.6 which had skinnier tyres.

If a Mercedes estate has a much tighter turning circle than an Octavia, it must be truly tight, as my Octavia's is excellent and better trhan SWMBO's current Mini (although, to confirm the main point made in this thread, not as good as my old RWD BMW Z3, which will 'turn on a sixpence').

Edited by Avant on 19/10/2011 at 21:50

Reply | Report as offensive | Link