EVOC terminology

Question 1

Anti-Lock Brake System

Answer 1

Computer-controlled brake system designed to prevent wheel lock-up during heavy braking.

Question 2

Apex (or Low Side)

Answer 2

The lowest portion of a vehicle’s path through a curve.

Question 3

Balanced Hand Position

Answer 3

Maintaining a wide grip on a vehicle’s steering wheel.

Question 4

Centrifugal Force (Center Fleeing)

Answer 4

The force that propels an object outward from the center of rotation.

Question 5

Centripetal Force (Center Seeking)

Answer 5

The force that is necessary to keep an object moving in a circular path and is directed in ward toward the center of rotation.

Question 6

Code 3

Answer 6

The operation of a patrol vehicle with red lights and siren activated, in compliance with California Vehicle Code Section 21055.

Question 7

Coefficient of Friction

Answer 7

The measurement of cohesion between two surfaces.

Question 8

Cohesion

Answer 8

The sticking power between two surfaces.

Question 9

Countersteer

Answer 9

Turning the front wheels of a vehicle in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding.

Question 10

Electronic Stability Control System

Answer 10

Computerized technology that improves a vehicle’s stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction.

Question 11

Front End Swing

Answer 11

The action of the front end of the vehicle when backing: the front end swings to the right when backing to the left; the front end swings to the left when backing to the right.

Question 12

High Side

Answer 12

The outside of a curve in a roadway.

Question 13

Hydroplaning

Answer 13

Occurs when water on a road’s surface causes the tires of a vehicle to lose contact with it.

Question 14

Impending Skid

Answer 14

A preliminary skid caused by maximum pressure on a

vehicle’s brake pedal short of locking the brakes.

Question 15

Kinetic Energy

Answer 15

The energy possessed by a body in motion.

Question 16

Momentum

Answer 16

The property of a moving body that determines the length of time required to bring it to rest when under the action of a constant force or movement.

Question 17

Oversteer

Answer 17

The characteristic of a vehicle to tighten its turning radius as the rear end slips or skids toward the outside of a curve.

Question 18

Potential Energy

Answer 18

The energy a body possesses by virtue of its position (e.g., a vehicle parked on a hill), or by virtue of displacement (e.g., the energy stored in a vehicle’s springs as they are stretched or compressed while the vehicle is traveling through a curve).

Question 19

Power Slide (Four-Wheel Drift)

Answer 19

The controlled lateral skidding of a vehicle when the limits of cohesion are exceeded by all four tires.

Question 20

Rear End Cheat

Answer 20

When turning left, a vehicle’s rear tires track to the left of the front tires. When a vehicle is turning right, the rear tires track to the right of the front tires.

Question 21

Rolling Friction

Answer 21

The front wheels of a vehicle must be rolling, thereby creating rolling friction, in order to steer the vehicle.

Question 22

Slip Angle

Answer 22

The turning radius of a vehicle becomes larger as the contact patch of each tire is distorted by increasing cornering force.

Question 23

Space Cushion

Answer 23

The open area surrounding a vehicle in motion that provides an escape route to the front, rear, and sides.

Question 24

Threshold Braking

Answer 24

Application of braking force to the point just prior to wheel lock-up. This braking technique is more efficient
at slowing a vehicle than locked-wheel braking.

Question 25

Throttle

Answer 25

The vehicle’s accelerator pedal.

Question 26

Time Spatial Judgment (Rate of Closure)

Answer 26

Judging the proper rate of deceleration necessary to successfully negotiate a curve or to avoid a hazard.

Question 27

Tire Footprint

Answer 27

The contact area of a tire tread with the roadway.

Question 28

Understeer

Answer 28

The tendency for a vehicle to continue in a straight line and resist turning from a direct course of travel.

Question 29

Visual Horizon

Answer 29

The area and distance viewed by the driver of a vehicle when looking ahead.

Question 30

Weight Transfer

Answer 30

Weight transfer to the rear axle of a vehicle caused by

forward acceleration.

Question 31

Longitudinal Weight Transfer

Answer 31

Weight transfer to the front axle of a vehicle

caused by braking or deceleration.

Question 32

Lateral Weight Transfer

Answer 32

Weight transfer of the front axle to the left when turning the vehicle to the right, and weight transfer of the front axle to the right when turning the vehicle to the left.

Question 33

Brake fade

Answer 33

The loss of braking efficiency normally due to heat build-up resulting from excessive use of brakes.