Ride height (also called
ground clearance or simply
clearance) is the amount of space between the base of an automobile
tire and the underside of the
chassis; or, more properly, to the shortest distance between a flat, level surface, and any part of a
vehicle other than those parts designed to contact the ground (such as tires, tracks, skis, etc.). Ground clearance is measured with standard vehicle equipment, and for
cars, is usually given with no cargo or passengers.