Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

Vehicle weight transfer from front to rear during acceleration or braking is referred to as?

1. Roll

2. Yaw

3. Pitch

4. Stability

The correct answer is: Pitch

The phenomenon of vehicle weight transfer from front to rear during acceleration or braking is referred to as pitch. This term describes how the body of the vehicle tilts forward or backward based on the application of forces due to acceleration or braking. When a vehicle accelerates, the weight shifts toward the rear, causing the front of the vehicle to dip down. Conversely, during braking, the weight shifts toward the front, making the rear rise. Understanding pitch is crucial for effective vehicle control and maneuverability, as it affects traction and stability. In contrast to pitch, roll refers to the side-to-side movement of a vehicle’s body, which is more pronounced during cornering. Yaw describes the horizontal rotation or angle of the vehicle around its vertical axis, often during turning maneuvers. Stability, while related, refers to a vehicle's overall ability to remain under control and can involve multiple dynamic forces acting on the vehicle, including pitch, roll, and yaw. Thus, pitch is the specific term that accurately describes the front-to-rear weight transfer during speed changes.