what is mechanical grip in cars?

Answer 1

as the above answer says 'it is pretty technical stuff' but here goes (sorry it's a bit long):
Mechanical grip is all grip not produced by aerodynamic devices ie. wings, rear deffuser, bargeboards and so on. The 3 main components of Mechanical grip are Suspension geometry, Tyres, and Steering system.

It is all relevant to creating as big a contact patch as possible. (contact patch is the part of the tyre that contacts the road) And then keeping as much of that maximum contact patch on the road at all times. This is actually very difficult because you need to do this, and not burn your tyres up.

Suspension is most important, because it needs to have the best possible configuration, so that the car transitions well both into and out of a corner. It needs to aid the tyre in both durability and most importantly keeping it planted on the ground. But it cant put too much force on the tyre for that will cause too much force and just wear the tyres and cause mechanical drag.

The suspension needs just the right settings to also keep the car from rolling on its C of G, in the corners. Many teams have experimented with zero roll suspension, but that isnt really that good either. There needs to be some roll by the chassis to absorb cornering load, if there isnt, than all that force must be absorbed by the tyres, again wearing them and causing mechanical drag.

There are many many ways of finding more mechanical grip, playing with sprung and unsprung mass is a very popular way, Weight distribution is also very critical. Thousands of things go into achieving the right parameters to achieve near perfect mechanical grip.

Tyres are maybe the most important thing, shearly for their design and durabilty are everything. They are what ultimately creats all the mechanical grip and hold the key to how long that level of grip lasts. They still need a suspension with the perfect spring and damper rate to keep them planted as consitstantly as possible over bumps, water, dust and smooth pavement.

Another major factor, is the steering system. It needs to be perfectly balanced and ratiod. Too quick and grip is lost, too slow and grip potential can not be used. Free and balanced is very important.

BTW the driver has still got to make full use of all this once it is achieved, and he is a big factor in achieving it. Mechanical grip perfection, sways with certain driving styles.

General rule is that under 110mph or so, 80 -90% of grip on an F1 car is mechanical. after that Aero begins to climb sharply. At around 140 or so and on, 90% of grip is acheved through aerodynamics.

Why some teams produce more mechanical grip, is another difficult question. Most factors are within these reasons though. 1. Many teams do not spend the budget on mechanical grip and do spend it on aero. Reason being that the vast majority of F1 circuits put much more taxing on an aero package than anything else. 2 Some teams believe that mechanical grip and aerodynamics can work together at higher speeds. They spend much time looking for that sweet spot when Aerodynamics and Mechanical grip both add big numbers to the grip levels, and work in perfect harmony. 3. Some teams still have the budget to design a special suspension system for Circuits like Monaco and Hungary. Where mechanical grip can pay big dividends. 4 some teams just want to win monaco and spend huge dollars to achieve that. 5. teams have more experience with certain thing and maybe have found something and keep developing on it and know one else has found it yet. There are many more reasons but these cover most ground. Hope this simplifies things!!

Answer 2

Its pretty technical stuff,ie its not a simple thing to answer. Imagine youre driving around a very slippy corner in your car and youre at the point where you can just feel the tyres could lose grip but;you keep the car in the right gear and at just the right rpm, where you know if you were in a different gear or revved the car a lil more or less it'd slide. Well youre using the "Mechanical Grip provided by the Engine to Keep the Tyres from spinning

Answer 3

Mechanical grip is that generated by the tyres and suspension before any areo package comes into play.Normally only associated with F1 or racing cars as road cars are normally wholly reliant on mechanical grip.

Answer 4

the transfer of the drive through to the tyre and then on to the road

Answer 5

Holdtight squeezeclick.

Answer 6

It's the gunk flange that goes into the overhead sump!

By the way this was a joke answer so thanks for the thumbs down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!