If you were honest enough, you would own up to the fact that the odd wheel-spin under heavy acceleration can be a fun experience for those seated inside the moving vehicle. Many boys experience a grin in the event of a wheel-spin occurring.
Wheel spin ning occurs when excessive application of torque to the driving wheels causes one or both tyres to break traction and rotate more rapidly than the non-driving wheels do.
When motoring in greasy conditions, wheel spinning will occur more readily due to the surroundings and weather conditions aiding loss of traction.
Wheel spins can happen when one wheel is on a slippery surface (ice, snow, mud, slush) and the other on a dry or grippier surface. The reason it happens is because the differential always routes power to the wheel that needs it the least.
The only way to eliminate or minimise wheel spin is to buy a vehicle with a locking differential or traction control. Unless you are capable of handling the vehicle’s changing dynamics in the event of wheel spinning occurring I suggest you don’t go looking for it without exercising some care. It’s best to have plenty of open space before attempting wheel spins.
Excessive and continual wheel spinning can cause the vehicle’s driving components to wear out prematurely.We hope that helps answer the question ‘What is What is Wheel Spin?’!
Back to Car Glossary