Ride heightNew Zealand

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98. Ride height

Ride height is the height at which a vehicle's body or chassis sits above the road surface. It is determined mainly by the suspension, wheels and tyres and can also change according to the vehicle's load.

Changing the ride height by lowering or raising the suspension can affect ground clearance, wheel alignment, handling and the space available between the vehicle and the road. Vehicle modifications must comply with the technical and approval rules that apply in the country.

Chevrolet Suburban with raised wheels and suspension.
Wikimedia.org • mark6mauno • CC BY
What is ride height?

Ride height describes how high a vehicle's body or chassis sits above the road surface.

What affects a vehicle's ride height?

Ride height can be affected by the suspension, wheel and tyre dimensions, vehicle load and suspension modifications.

Can a vehicle's ride height be changed?

Yes. Suspension modifications can lower or raise a vehicle, but such modifications may be subject to technical approval, inspection and safety requirements.

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