oversteers

Oversteer is a vehicle dynamic condition in which the rear of the vehicle tends to rotate more than the front, causing the rear tires to lose grip and slide toward the outside of a turn. It contrasts with understeer, where the front tires lose grip first and the vehicle runs wide. Oversteer is more commonly observed in rear-wheel-drive configurations and in mid‑engine cars, but it can occur in any drivetrain depending on conditions and inputs.

Causes include relative rear grip being lower than front grip due to speed, steering inputs, and weight transfer. Factors such as high cornering speeds, braking while turning, aggressive throttle or lift-off, uneven tire wear, worn or mismatched tires, suspension settings, and surface conditions (wet, icy, or low-grip pavement) contribute to oversteer.

Characteristics include a tendency for the rear to skid or rotate, varying with steering angle, throttle, and lateral load. Oversteer can be mild and controllable, or abrupt and difficult to manage, sometimes described as a "snap" when it occurs suddenly. In measurement, engineers refer to slip angles and yaw rate to describe the effect.

Management and safety: vehicle stability systems such as electronic stability control and traction control are designed to limit oversteer. Proper maintenance of tires, correct inflation, alignment, and appropriate cornering speeds reduce risk. In adverse conditions, drivers should anticipate potential oversteer and adjust driving style accordingly.