Moose test facts for kids
The evasive maneuver test is a special driving test. It checks how well a vehicle can quickly avoid something that suddenly appears on the road. People often call it the moose test or elk test. This name became popular in 1997 after a famous incident in Sweden.
This test helps make cars safer for everyone. It shows if a car can handle sudden turns without losing control. The test is designed to simulate real-life dangers. For example, it could be a car backing out or a child running into the street. It's not just about avoiding a moose, but any unexpected obstacle.
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Vehicle Safety: The Evasive Maneuver Test
What is the Moose Test?
The evasive maneuver test is a standardized safety test. It follows rules set by an international group called ISO 3888-2. This means the test is done the same way all over the world.
The test has been used in Sweden since the 1970s. The name "moose test" became famous in 1997. A German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, used the name. This happened after a Swedish magazine, Teknikens Värld, tested a new Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The car had trouble avoiding an imaginary moose.
How the Test Works
Setting Up the Course
The test happens on a dry road. Special Traffic cones are placed in an "S" shape. These cones create a path that looks like a sudden obstacle. They also mark the edges of the road.
The car being tested is loaded carefully. Every seat must have a person wearing a seat belt. Extra weights are put in the boot (trunk) of the car. This makes sure the car is tested at its maximum weight capacity.
Driving Through the Test
To pass, a car must successfully drive the course at 72 kilometers per hour (about 45 mph). The driver starts by going straight. Then, they quickly steer into the "oncoming lane" to avoid the obstacle. Immediately after, they steer back into their own lane. This avoids imaginary oncoming traffic.
The test is repeated at faster and faster speeds. It continues until the car either skids, knocks over cones, or spins around. This shows the car's limit for safe evasive maneuvers.
A Famous Test: The Mercedes A-Class Incident
On October 21, 1997, a journalist named Robert Collin tested a new Mercedes-Benz A-Class. He was from the magazine Teknikens Värld. During the moose test, the car overturned at 60 kilometers per hour (about 37 mph). This was a big surprise for everyone.
Interestingly, an older car called a Trabant 601 passed the same test easily. The Trabant was a car from former East Germany. It was often made fun of, so this made the Mercedes failure even more shocking.
Mercedes-Benz first said there was no problem. But soon, they decided to take action. They recalled all 2,600 cars already sold. They also stopped selling the car for three months. During this time, they fixed 17,000 cars. They added electronic stability control (ESC) and changed the suspension. ESC is a computer system that helps drivers keep control of their car. This incident showed how important safety tests are.
Why This Test Still Matters Today
The magazine Teknikens Värld still performs the moose test. They test hundreds of cars every year. They have been publishing their test results online since 1983. This helps car buyers know which cars are safest.
Some modern cars still struggle with this test. For example, certain models of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander and Volvo XC40 Recharge T4 have had issues. However, after software updates, some cars like the RAV4 now pass the test. This shows that car manufacturers keep improving their designs.
Record Holders for Evasive Maneuvers
As of February 2025, the fastest car to successfully complete the moose test is the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Manthey. It managed the maneuver at 86 kilometers per hour (about 53 mph).
Before that, the Citroën Xantia 3.0i V6 Activa held the record for 26 years. It completed the test at 85 kilometers per hour (about 53 mph). The slowest car to ever pass the test was the Reliant Rialto, at 42.5 kilometers per hour (about 26 mph).
Testing for Animal Collisions
The moose test is about avoiding an obstacle. But car companies also test what happens if a car actually hits an animal. This is called collision testing. Companies like Volvo and Saab have a long history of designing cars to be safer in moose crashes.
Moose Crash Dummies
The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute created a special crash test dummy called "Mooses." This dummy is shaped like a real moose. It has a similar weight, size, and centre of gravity. "Mooses" helps engineers understand how cars react when they hit a large animal.
Kangaroo Crash Dummies
In Australia, car makers face a similar challenge with kangaroos. They use special kangaroo crash test dummies. These dummies help them design cars that are safer for drivers and passengers in case of a collision with a kangaroo.
MythBusters and Moose Collisions
In 2008, the TV show MythBusters explored a common belief. Some people thought that speeding up to hit a moose would cause less damage than braking. The show tested this idea using a model of a moose. They found that no matter the car type or speed, hitting a moose always caused huge damage. This showed that the belief was false.
See also
- Tilt test (vehicle safety test)
