Good German cars have one drawback: low ground clearance. Can it be corrected?

Is it possible to change the clearance of a large sedan?

After five years of operation, prices for good models of the “big German three” fall by 2 times, due to which these cars begin to be actively sold in the secondary market. High comfort and excellent equipment make them strong competitors for new Korean and French mass cars. A similar story is happening with Japanese representatives of the premium segment. However, such cars also have their own drawback, namely, a small ground clearance, which, with a long base, creates difficulties for movement on snowy and icy roads. Is it possible to independently increase ground clearance and make Lexus, Toyota, Audi, BMW, Mercedes sedans even better?

Why do they need low ground clearance?

Automakers carry out a clear segmentation of their models. Crossovers are designed for urban life and for rare outings into nature, due to which their clearance and base are calculated to increase their geometric cross-country ability. It is believed that for a good ride over bumps, 180 mm under the bottom is required. Some SUVs have a clearance in the range of 180-250 mm.

Classes D and E sedans are designed primarily for high-speed movement on German unlimited motorways, which is why engineers reduce their clearance to provide better aerodynamics at speeds over 200 km / h. For example, the Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class, released in 2015, can rush for hours at speeds of 150-200 km/h, showing excellent handling and stability. Moreover, these speeds in aviation are considered take-off speeds, that is, it is at them that the air has a strong effect on moving objects. Every little thing in the appearance of such a car works to increase downforce and streamlining. The lower the body is above the road, the better its aerodynamics.

Spacers and springs

Most often, ground clearance is increased using a package of spacers or due to springs and shock absorbers of greater length.

Rubber-to-metal spacers are manufactured by third parties specifically for various car models and are suitable for suspension parts. They are placed between the rack and the body. Thus, the car is raised by 2-3 cm, and it stops scratching the bottom and thresholds on protruding bumps.

Installing stiffer springs with more coils also helps lift the body a bit. However, this method has a significant drawback. The springs do not hold the car well. The amplitude of oscillations changes at high speeds, the machine becomes a roll and does not hold the trajectory of movement well. But, most importantly, the calculated aerodynamics and the behavior of air flows are violated.There are additional nods and squats of the body, because of which the directional stability of the car is violated. In fact, driving faster than 90 km / h becomes unpleasant. The car has to be adjusted every second by the steering wheel, and bouncing on bumps turns into noticeable changes in the trajectory.

In general, due to the increase in clearance, the loads in the suspension increase, the life of parts is reduced. Even a shift of the center of mass by 15-20 mm upwards is dangerous from the point of view of reducing the life of the constant velocity joint (CV joint). Its shaft rises and makes the technical assembly work in tightness.

Registration and penalty

It is not surprising that the traffic police are now wary of any alterations to cars. Improvements are not prohibited, but they must be officially registered.

Spacers to increase ground clearance can be installed provided that the safety of the vehicle complies with the requirements of the technical regulations of the Customs Union. The safety of parts is evaluated in a certified laboratory.

As the traffic police said, for the operation of tuned vehicles without permission, violators face punishment under Part 1 of Art. 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, which provides for a fine of 500 rubles or a warning. When drawing up a protocol, inspectors have the right to hand over to the owner of the car a requirement to prevent an administrative offense. This document provides for a ban on the operation of the car until the violations are eliminated. The driver must eliminate the violation within 10 days and provide the car for inspection by the traffic police, otherwise the registration will be canceled. In accordance with Art. 12.1. Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, for driving an unregistered car, a fine of 500 to 800 rubles is imposed. If a motorist has not eliminated illegal tuning and is re-caught while driving a car that has been removed from registration, then this entails the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five thousand rubles or deprivation of rights for a period of one to three months.