Vehicle loading
How can carrying a heavy load on a roof rack affect your car?
- It lowers the centre of gravity and improves grip
- It makes the car less stable and increases stopping distanceCorrect
- It has no effect as long as the load is tied down
- It reduces the amount of fuel the car uses
Why?
A load on the roof sits high up, which raises the car's centre of gravity and makes it less stable, especially in corners and crosswinds. It also increases wind resistance, so the car uses more fuel and needs a longer distance to stop. Rule 98 of The Highway Code reminds you not to overload the vehicle.
Highway Code rule 98