KYB Takes To The Test Track

KYB Takes To The Test Track!

In a recent video series, KYB takes to the test track, revealing the stark differences between new and worn shock absorbers.

A pair of independent, third party, professional test drivers from the tyre industry drove two matching 2015 Chevrolet Equinoxes, with each having driven over 150,000km. To guarantee reliable results, each vehicle was fitted with new brake pads, discs, and stabiliser links prior to testing, alongside a full fourwheel alignment. Before every individual test, each car was also fitted with four brand new tyres and a full tank of fuel added. The only difference between the vehicles? The shock absorbers.

Over the course of two days, KYB compared and tested four different manufacturers. These included: the OEM shock absorbers; a low-cost competitor; a premium competitor and KYB’s Excel-G range.

Designed to allow the test drivers to experience each of the products, the test included:

Wet track: A sprinkler system evenly soaked the road to emulate wet driving conditions, so traction, handling and braking could be tested.

Slalom: To evaluate control and body roll.

Braking: To measure stopping distances from 80-0kph in both wet and dry conditions.

Real Roads: 11km loop on real roads to evaluate performance in the real world.

The Results:

Using data gathered from electronic data acquisition equipment installed within both vehicles, results showed that KYB outperformed all alternatives; both in the real world and on the test track.

Braking Test: To understand the impact shock absorbers have upon stopping distances, KYB conducted braking tests in both wet and dry conditions. When comparing worn shock absorbers with a low-cost competitor, KYB found that low-cost shock absorbers fared worse when it came to stopping safely in both conditions. In contrast, stopping distances were drastically improved when testing both KYB and its premium competitor in dry conditions. However, in wet conditions where traction was reduced, the vehicle equipped with KYB product stopped 6 foot shorter than the premium competitor – the width of an entire car.

ABS Activity: ABS activity was also monitored to demonstrate the direct impact shock absorbers have on the performance of crash avoidance systems. The ABS system was activated multiple times when monitoring worn shock absorbers – every time this happens, the ABS releases the brakes, adding time and distance to the stopping process. KYB, by contrast, showed far less activation – allowing the car to stop quickly and smoothly. These tests clearly indicate the importance of replacing worn shock absorbers, as undermaintained vehicles and worn parts affect a crash avoidance system’s ability to perform as originally intended.

Road Test: Both drivers concluded that whilst driving, there was a noticeable difference between KYB shock absorbers and worn OEM shock absorbers. Admitting that they did not initially believe there would be discernible differences between the two, they concluded that the difference between the two was “night and day” and that the KYB product makes the vehicle feel more “locked down”, “following the movements of the road” more effectively.

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