How to Measure Your Car's Wheelbase
Hannah DeWitt
· 4 min read
Measuring your car's wheelbase is one of the easiest
car maintenance
tasks you can do, and it can tell you a lot about your car. Cars with great performance may be fitted with specific wheelbase measurements, for example.The wheelbase is the measurement between the front and rear wheels of a car. If you're curious about your car's wheelbase, it's something that you can check at home. According to
The Drive
, all you need to measure a wheelbase is a tape measure, a square measure, and chalk. 
How do you measure a car's wheelbase?
The first step in measuring your car's wheelbase is to park on a flat surface. Choosing a flat surface is important for getting an accurate measurement. If you have to park away from your home garage or driveway, make sure that you are allowed to stay parked there.
Next, you’ll need a carpenter’s square. Line the measuring tool up vertically with the center cap on the wheel, which represents the center of the wheel overall. Use your chalk to mark the spot where the square measure touches the ground. Do this for both the front and rear wheels so that you have two chalk marks.
Then, you just have to take a tape measure and measure the space from one chalk mark to the other. Once you're finished measuring one side, it is a good idea to measure the other side to make sure that it is the same. The wheelbase measurement should be identical on both sides, but if there is a problem with your car, there may be differences.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Why do cars have different wheelbase measurements?
MORE: Pros and Cons of the 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid Steering Yoke
Like other aspects of your car's design, the wheelbase dimensions are intentional and help the car perform its intended functions. Wheelbase measurements mean a lot for how the car handles. A car intended to drive off-road will have a different wheelbase than a performance sports car.
For example, a smaller hatchback that is designed for agile handling, like the acclaimed Honda Civic hatchback, will likely have a short wheelbase. This will help the car perform easy turns and can make the overall ride more fun. However, this also means that the interior of the car has less space.
Meanwhile, a larger luxury car might have a long wheelbase. A wheelbase like this can help a car drive smoothly and also provide more rear legroom. However, cars like this may not handle turns as well.
Tips for measuring the wheelbase
MORE: More Companies Are Designing Solar-Powered Electric Vehicles
Measuring your car's wheelbase is easier than you might expect, but there are still ways to make the process more efficient.
One tip is to make sure that your carpenter’s square measuring stick is as vertical as possible. The goal is to have a straight line between the center of the wheel and the ground. A measuring tool that perfectly lines up with the center of the wheel will lead to a more accurate measurement.
Another tip is to choose the smoothest surface possible to park your car on when you measure your wheelbase. In addition to the benefits of a flat surface discussed above, a smooth surface can make it easier to make clear chalk marks.
Shopping for car insurance can also be quick and easy
You don’t need a mechanic to measure a car's wheelbase, but it still requires some degree of effort. Saving money on car insurance can be even easier than measuring a wheelbase, though. Thanks to
Jerry
, you can get cheap car insurance without the hassle.A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price.
