VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY – HCM CITY FACULTY OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology Department of Automotive Engineering

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EXPERIMENTS ON ENGINE & AUTOMOBILES

SECTION 2: AUTOMOTIVE EXPERIMENTS

Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

Purposes:
▪ Determine vehicle overall dimensions.

▪ Practice skills of experimental investigation on vehicle overall dimension.

Expected outcomes of the lesson:

Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to
▪ recognize vehicle overall dimensions;
▪ describe procedures of experimental investigation;
▪ safely carry out investigation on vehicle overall dimensions;
▪ make a report on vehicle overall dimentions.

– HCMUT/2025 –
 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Automobile Overall Dimension

CONTENTS

1 BASICS & TERMS ................................................................................................................ 3

2 EXPERIMENT SETUP .......................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Experimental apparatus .................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Experimental instrumentations ......................................................................................... 5
3 EXPERIMENTAL METHOD & DATA POST-PROCESSING ........................................... 6
3.1 Basic vehicle dimensions.................................................................................................. 6
3.2 Specific vehicle dimensions ............................................................................................. 8
3.3 Tire dimensions ................................................................................................................ 8
3.4 Theoretical wheel radius ................................................................................................... 9
3.5 Vehicle weight .................................................................................................................. 9
3.6 Method of processing measured data ............................................................................... 9
4 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE ......................................................................................... 9
4.1 Preparation ........................................................................................................................ 9
4.2 Measure vehicle dimensions under no load condition.................................................... 10
4.3 Measure vehicle dimensions under full load condition .................................................. 13
4.4 After experiment ............................................................................................................. 16
5 SELF-TEST ........................................................................................................................... 17

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

1 BASICS & TERMS

Attention:
▪ Students MUST fully understand the content of the lesson
before doing experiment.
IMPORTANCE ▪ Students who cannot pass the screening test are NOT allowed
to do experiment.
▪ SELF-TEST before and after experiment are highly requested.

• Definitions and practical meaning of automobile overall dimensions:

✓ Overall length, width and height.
✓ Wheelbase.
✓ Front and rear tracks.
✓ Front and rear overhangs.
✓ Approach and departure angles.
✓ Ground clearance.
✓ Theoretical wheel radius.
✓ Base curb weight, cargo weight, gross vehicle weight.
✓ Center of gravity (COG).
• Technical usage including (1) Safety caution, (2) Measurement procedure and (3) Record
the value) of the following specialized instrumentations:
✓ Plump.
✓ Tape measure.
✓ Loading equipment.
✓ Gauge.
• Refer to TCVN 7271-2003: Road vehicles - Motor vehicles - Classification in purpose
of use.
• Refer to QCVN 09:2015/BGTVT: National technical regulation on safety and
environmental protection for automobiles.
• Refer to QCVN 12:2011/BGTVT: National technical regulation on permitted
tolerance and rounding of vehicle dimension and mass.

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

2 EXPERIMENT SETUP
2.1 Introduction

• Lesson title: Experimentally Investigate Automobile Overall Dimension

• Time duration: 5 periods
• No. of students: 5 students/experiment model

2.2 Experimental apparatus

a)

b)

Figure 1. The experiment apparatus. a) Jeep 4WD; b) SYM T880 RWD

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

2.3 Experimental instrumentations

Attention:
▪ Students refer to the User manual of workshop tools and
equipments before doing experiment.
IMPORTANT
▪ ALWAYS comply with safety regulations and technical
requirements of using tools and equipments.
▪ Clean and re-arrange tools and equipments after use.

• Measurement equipments of this experimental lesson are presented in the Table 1.

Table 1. Measurement equipments

No. Function Measurement equipment
1 Measuring length, width and
height

Tape measure
2 Marking location

Plump
3 Creating load on the
apparatus

Loading equipment
4 Measuring pressure in the
loading equipment

250 kgf/cm2 dial pressure gauge

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

3 EXPERIMENTAL METHOD & DATA POST-PROCESSING

3.1 Basic vehicle dimensions
• Basic vehicle dimensions include:
- Length: overall length, wheelbase, front and rear overhangs.
- Width: overall width, front and rear tracks.
- Height: overall height.
• Dimension definitions:
- Overall length (𝐿): is the dimension measured from the front end to the rear end of the
vehicle.
*Note: All vehicle’s components at the front and rear end such as tow hook,
license plate…must be included in the overall length of the vehicle.
- Overall width (𝐵): is the dimension measured from the left side to the right side of the
vehicle.
*Note: Side mirrors are not included in the overall width of the vehicle.
- Overall height (𝐻): is the dimension measured from the ground surface to the highest
point of the vehicle.
*Note: This dimension is measured in the no-load condition.

L
B

Figure 2. Overall dimensions of the experiment apparatus.

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

- Wheelbase (𝐿0 ): is the dimension measured from the center of the front wheel to the
center of the rear wheel at the same side of the vehicle.
*Note: For vehicle with 3 or more than 3 axles, wheelbase is measured from
the center of the first front wheel to the center of the last rear wheel
at the same side of the vehicle.
- Track width (𝐵0): is the dimension measured from the middle of contact area between
left wheel and ground surface to that of right wheel and ground surface on the same
axle.
- Front overhang (𝐿1 ): is the dimension measured from the center of front wheel to the
outer point of vehicle’s front end.
*Note: The front overhang includes tow hooks, license plate or components
that are fixed with vehicle.
- Rear overhang (𝐿2 ): is the dimension measured from the center of back wheel to the
outer point of vehicle’s rear end.
*Note: The rear overhang includes tow hooks, license plate or components
that are fixed with vehicle.

L1 Lo L2
Bo2
Bo1

Figure 3. Basic vehicle overall dimensions

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

3.2 Specific vehicle dimensions

- Ground clearance (𝐾): is the dimension measured from the lowest point of chassis to
the ground surface.
- Approach angle (𝛽1): is the angle between the ground and the line drawn between the
front tire and the lowest-hanging part of the vehicle at the front overhang.
*Note: This angle is measured when the vehicle is in static condition and
full load.
- Departure angle (𝛽2): is the angle between the ground and the line drawn between the
rear tire and the lowest-hanging part of the vehicle at the rear overhang.
*Note: This angle is measured when the vehicle is in static condition and
full load.

k



Figure 4. Specific vehicle overall dimensions

3.3 Tire dimensions

- For a tire with string 205/75R17 on its sidewall (common for passenger vehicles
and light trucks).
+ 205 – Tire width: is the largest distance from 2 opposite tire sidewalls (not the width
of the contact area between tire and ground surface), which is measured in mm.
+ 75 – Aspect ratio: in this case, the height of the tire's cross-section is equal to 75%
of the tire width.
+ R – Radial tire construction.
+ 17 – Rim diameter, which is measured in inch.

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

- For a tire with string 7.00R14 on its sidewall (common for trucks)
+ 7.00 - Tire width: is the largest distance from 2 opposite tire sidewalls (not the width
of the contact area between tire and ground surface), which is measured in mm.
+ R - Radial tire construction.
+ 14 - Rim diameter, which is measured in inch.

3.4 Theoretical wheel radius

Theoretical wheel radius is calculated from the following formula:
r0 = (B+d/2) x 25,4 (mm)
Where:
+ B - Tire width (inch).
+ d - Rim diameter (inch).

3.5 Vehicle weight

- Gross weight (Jeep): 1781 (kg).
- Curb weight (Jeep): 981 (kg).
- Full-load weight (Jeep): 800 kg (used for measuring at the full load condition,
approximately 50 kgf/cm2 pressure of the loading
equipment).

3.6 Method of processing measured data

Each parameter should be measured 2 times. The final value is the average value of 2
measurements.

4 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
4.1 Preparation

 Clean and arrange the experiment area.

 Check ventillation of the experiment area and arrange fan if needed.
 Wear neat costume.
 Assign individual task for each member of experiment group.
 Check the quantity and initial condition of equipments.
 Recognize vehicle dimensions
 Prepare the experiment apparatus

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

Table 2. Initial condition of experiment equipments.

No. Equipment Quantity Condition

1 5m tape measure 02

2 Plump 02

* Pay attention to the measurement range of the measurement equipment.

Table 3. Initial condition of experiment apparatus.

Condition
No. Task
Passed Not passed (notes)
1 Wheel quantity: 4 wheels and 1 spare wheel
2 Tire pressure (1.828 kg/cm2)
3 Operable vehicle
4 Vehicle is on level surface
5 Operable loading equipment

4.2 Measure vehicle dimensions under no load condition

Attention:
▪ Check load condition of vehicle before measuring.
▪ Vehicle must be placed on level and flat surface.
▪ Cornering wheel must be at neutral position.

CAUTION

Cornering wheel at neutral position: (left) Incorrect; (right) Correct

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

• Step 1: Measure overall length (𝑳)

- Use the plump to mark the projection of the edge of vehicle’s front end on the ground.

Figure 5. Define the projection of the edge of vehicle’s front/rear end.

- Use the plump to mark the projection of the edge of vehicle’s rear end on the ground.
- Use the tape measure to measure the distance between these 2 points and record the
value to Table 4.

Figure 6. Measure overall length (𝐿)

• Step 2: Measure overall height (𝑯)

Figure 7. Measurements of heights: the test bench floor (left); and the highest point (right).

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

- Measure the height from the test bench floor to the ground (𝐴).
- Measure the height from the highest point of the test bench to the ground (𝐵).
- Overall height (𝐻) = 𝐴 – 𝐵.
- Record the value to Table 4.
• Step 3: Measure overall width (𝑩)

- Use plump to define the projection of the edge of vehicle left side, and that of vehicle
right side.

- Use tape measure to measure the overall width, which is the distance between these 2
points.

- Record the value to Table 4.

Figure 8. Measure overall width (𝐵)

• Step 4: Measure wheelbase (𝑳𝟎 )
- Use tape measure to measure the distance from the center of the front wheel to the
center of the rear wheel.
- Record the value to Table 4.

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

Figure 9. Measurement of wheelbase 𝐿0

• Step 5: Measure front track (𝑩𝟎𝟏 )
- Mark the centers of left and right front tire widths.
- Measure the front track, which is the distance between these 2 centers.
- Record the value into Table 4.
• Step 6: Measure rear track (𝑩𝟎𝟐 )
- Follow the procedure in Step 5 for rear wheels. Record the value to Table 4.
• Step 7: Measure front overhang (𝑳𝟏 )
- Use the plump to mark the projection of the edge of vehicle’s front end on the ground.
- Use the plump to mark the projection of front axle’s center on the ground.
- Measure the distance between these 2 points and record the value to Table 4.
• Step 8: Measure rear overhang (𝑳𝟐 )
- Use the plump to mark the projection of the edge of vehicle’s rear end on the ground.
- Use the plump to mark the projection of rear axle’s center on the ground.
- Measure the distance between these 2 points and record value into Table 4.
• Step 9: Calculate theoretical wheel radius ro
- Interpret tire parameters.
- Calculate the theoretical wheel radius, and record this value into Table 4.
4.3 Measure vehicle dimensions under full load condition
• Step 1: Set load
- Engage the pressure lock

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

Figure 10. Engage the pressure lock.

- Set load: Press the lever to increase pressure in the loading equipment to 50 (kg/cm2),
which is approximate to 800 (kg) of load on the vehicle.

Figure 11. Set load

• Step 2: Measure approach angle (𝜷𝟏 )

C


B A
Hu ?ng d?u xe

Figure 12. Approach angle 𝛽1

- Use tape measure to measure segment AB and BC on fig.13.
- Approach angle is calculated from the following equation:
𝑩𝑪
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜷𝟏 =
𝑨𝑩

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

• Step 3: Measure departure angle (𝜷𝟐 )

C'


A' B'

Figure 14. Departure angle 𝛽2

- Use tape measure to measure segment A’B’ and B’C’ on fig.14.

- Departure angle is calculated from the following equation:
𝑩′𝑪′
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜷𝟐 =
𝑨′𝑩′

• Step 4: Measure ground clearance (𝑲)

- Use the plump to define the lowest point of chassis.
- Use tape measure to measure the distance from this point to the ground and record
value into Table 6.

Figure 15. Measure ground clearance (K)

• Step 5: Measure overall height (𝑯)

- Measure from the highest point of the driver seat to the ground and subtract the height
of test bench’s floor from this value.
- Record this value to Table 6.

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Vehicle Overall Dimensions

Figure 16. Measure overall height under full load condition.

4.4 After experiment

 Clean and gather all experiment tools and equipments.
 Clean the experiment area.
 Complete the experiment report

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 Lesson 5: Experimentally Investigate Automobile Overall Dimension

5 SELF-TEST

Knowledge/Skill: VEHICLE OVERALL DIMENSIONS

QUESTION AND LEVELS OF ACKNOWLEDGE

KNOW & REMEMBER (MUST know) COMPREHEND (level: GOOD) APPLY (level: EXCELLENT)
Definition, define, present, describe… Explain, distinguish, compare, summarize… Apply, verify, analyze, calculate…
1. Define vehicle length dimensions? 1. Describe constraints in overall dimensions 1. Verify the validity of vehicle
2. Define vehicle width dimensions? designed for each vehicle type defined in dimensions and weights under
QCVN 09:2015 technical and regulations? constraints defined in Vietnamese
3. Define vehicle height dimensions?
standards and technical regulations.
4. Define dimensions affecting the off-road 2. Describe dimension tolerances of practical
2. Determine appropriate overall layout
performance of vehicle? vehicle compared to dimensions of designed
for each type of vehicle.
5. Define the default measuring unit for vehicle as defined in QCVN 12:2011
technical regulations? 3. Calculate kinematic and dynamics
measuring vehicle dimensions?
characteristics of a vehicle
6. Describe the procedure of measuring vehicle 3. Describe weight tolerances of practical
4. Verify whether calculated kinematic
overall dimensions? vehicle compared to weights of designed
and dynamic characteristics comply
7. Classify the type of experimental vehicle vehicle as defined in QCVN 12:2011
with Vietnamese standards and
based on TCVN 7271:2003 technical technical regulations?
technical regulations.
standards? 4. How vehicle overall dimensions affect
kinematic and dynamic characteristics of a
vehicle?

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