Cornering force

Cornering force or side force is the lateral (i.e., parallel to the road surface) force produced by a vehicle tire during cornering.

Cornering force is generated by tire slip and is proportional to slip angle at low slip angles. The rate at which cornering force builds up is described by relaxation length. Slip angle describes the deformation of the tire contact patch, and this deflection of the contact patch deforms the tire in a fashion akin to a spring.