ISO 13674-1:2023

Overview

ISO 13674-1:2023 - Road vehicles - Test method for the quantification of on-centre handling - Part 1: Weave test - defines a repeatable, laboratory-style procedure to quantify a specific aspect of vehicle on‑centre handling. Applicable to passenger cars (per ISO 3833) and light trucks, the standard prescribes a controlled weave steering input while the vehicle travels in a nominally straight line at constant forward speed. Results are intended to provide discriminatory measurements of steering feel, hysteresis and transient response under closely controlled test conditions (not to represent typical real‑world driving).

Key Topics

• Test principle: Drive in a nominally straight line with a defined weave steering input to record driver inputs and vehicle responses.
• Measured variables: Steering-wheel angle (δ), steering-wheel torque (M), yaw velocity (dψ/dt), longitudinal velocity (v), plus recommended measurement of lateral acceleration (a) and steering-wheel angular velocity (dδ/dt).
• Measurement accuracy: Typical operating ranges and recommended maximum combined transducer + recording errors are specified (e.g., steering-wheel angle ±50° ±0.1°, steering-wheel torque ±0.1 N·m ±0.1 N·m, yaw velocity ±10°/s ±0.1°/s, lateral acceleration ±5 m/s² ±0.1 m/s²).
• Data processing and outputs: Time histories, hysteresis loops and characteristic plots (e.g., torque vs. angle, yaw rate vs. angle, lateral acceleration vs. angle) with defined metrics such as abscissa/ordinate deadband and hysteresis gradients.
• Test conditions and equipment: Requirements for transducer installation, multi-channel data recording, recommended test track and environmental controls (wind, surface); see ISO 15037-1 for general vehicle dynamics test conditions.
• Limitations: The weave manoeuvre is deliberately artificial - useful for isolating on‑centre handling behaviour but not representative of everyday driving.

Applications

• Vehicle dynamics engineering: quantify steering feel, tuning of steering systems, suspension and tyre development.
• Quality control and benchmarking: produce repeatable metrics for production validation and competitive comparison.
• Research and development: investigate the effects of steering system changes, tyre characteristics, loading conditions and control strategies on on‑centre behaviour.
• Test labs and OEMs: engineers, vehicle test specialists and validation teams use ISO 13674-1:2023 for standardized on‑centre handling evaluation.

Who should use it

• Automotive OEMs, component suppliers (steering, tyres, chassis), independent test laboratories, and vehicle dynamics researchers seeking standardized, repeatable procedures for evaluating on‑centre handling via the weave test.

Related standards

• ISO 3833 (vehicle types/definitions)
• ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics vocabulary)
• ISO 15037-1:2019 (general vehicle dynamics test conditions)
• ISO 1176, ISO 2416 (masses and mass distribution)
• Companion: ISO 13674-2 (other aspects of on‑centre handling)

Keywords: ISO 13674-1:2023, weave test, on-centre handling, vehicle dynamics test method, steering behaviour, road vehicles, passenger cars, light trucks.