Slalom or Skidpad

[3000ways]

Ok I don't think this is a Engineering question, but maybe it could be looked at as a technical question. I asked this question in the comparison section, and never really got a great answer. Ok here it is, the two major handling tests for cars are the Slalom and Skidpad, which is better or why? I believe it is the Slalom, because it more accuratly measures a vehicle's handling potentials, is this correct? I also believe that Skidpad measurement is totally inaccurate way a measuring a vehicle's handling potential, is this correct thinking?

[Alastor187]

I would say they are both useful. The skidpad helps to determine the maximum corning capacity of the vehicle. In other words what is the total corning force developed by the wheels, or how well does the vehicle make use of the tires during cornering. Also the skidpad can help give an idea as to the natural tendency of the vehicle to understeer, oversteer, or netualsteer without the influence of longitudinal weight shift.

The slalom then tells you how easy it is to make use of the maximum corning capacity. Also, how well does the suspension handle weight shift both longitudinally and laterally. Ideally you want a car that excels in both of these tests.

[3000ways]

So is the skidpad really an accurate measurement of the car or the grip of the wheels and tires? Could a simple change of wheels and tires dramatically influence the results of a skidpad measurement? If this is the case, should such a measurement be used to measure something as complex as a vehicles handling?

[timberdoodle]

the answer was right on but maybe you dont quite get the grasp of it 3000. The skidpad is a different kind of test, apart from the slalom, testing different aspects of the vehicles abilty to perform. The skid pad tests the ability of the car to resist spinning out while going around a corner. It shows the smallest radius you can take at the fastest possible speed without spinning out, this can be improved with better tires, suspension obviously but that doesnt make the test any less accurate. The slalom is a test to test the vehicles ability to make emergency maneuvers, etc. It shows how well the car can handle its weight and center of gravity on its wheels. This can also be improved with performance suspension and tires but doesnt make it any less of a test than the skidpad.