SAEJ689 V 001
SAEJ689 V 001
SAEJ689 V 001
REV.
JUN96
VEHICLE
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
RECOMMENDED Issued 1960-03
PRACTICE Revised 1996-06
1. Scope—This SAE Recommended Practice applies to rigid bumper or rigid structure points and flexible
components of passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and light trucks. This document is intended
as a guide toward standard practice and is subject to change to keep pace with experience and technical
advances.
1.1 Purpose—The purpose of this document is to provide minimum static design guidelines for curbstone
clearance, approach, departure, and ramp breakover angles. This is to minimize damage, if any, in normal
vehicle use conditions. This document also encompasses all current worldwide regulations and requirements.
1.2.1 PASSENGER CAR, MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV), AND LIGHT TRUCK
1.2.2 MINIMUM ANGLES AND CLEARANCES—Under the manufacturer’s most severe vehicle design load for each
particular load condition, the minimum approach, departure, ramp breakover angles, and bumper-to-ground
height, as indicated in Figure 1, shall be as follows:
When measuring these dimensions, flexible bumper components such as air dams, lower valance panels,
and fascias should be considered. The allowable approach angle to flexible components that are allowed
nonstructural damage should be 13 degrees.
3. Definitions
3.1 Passenger Car—Vehicles with motive power, except multipurpose passenger vehicles, motorcycles, or
trailers, designed for carrying 10 persons or less.
SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.
3.2 Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)—Vehicles with motive power, except trailers, designed to carry 10
persons or less, which are constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road
operation.
3.3 Truck—Vehicles with motive power, except a trailer, designed primarily for the transportation of property or
special-purpose equipment.
3.3.1 LIGHT TRUCK—Classification of self-propelled vehicles which are designed primarily to transport property or
special-purpose equipment, and have a maximum gross weight rating (GVWR) of 4536 kg (10 000 lb) or
less. GVWR is the value specified by the manufacturers as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.
3.4.1 H102—FRONT BUMPER TO GROUND—The minimum dimension measured vertically from the lowest point on
the front bumper to ground, including bumper guards if standard.
3.4.3 H104—REAR BUMPER TO GROUND—The minimum dimension measured vertically from the lowest point on
the rear bumper to ground, including bumper guards if standard equipment.
3.5 Angle of Approach (H106)—The angle measured between a line tangent to the front tire static-loaded radius
arc and the initial point of structural interference forward of the front tire to ground. The limiting structural
component shall be designated.
3.6 Angle of Departure (H107)—The angle measured between a line tangent of the rear tire static-loaded radius
and the initial point of structural interference rearward of the rear tire to the ground. The limiting component
shall be designated.
-2-
SAE J689 Revised JUN96
3.7 Ramp Breakover Angle (H147)—The angle measured between two lines tangent to the front and rear tire
static-loaded radius and intersecting at a point on the underside of the vehicle which defines the largest ramp
over which the vehicle can roll.
3.8 Parking Curbstone Height Clearance—The minimum curbstone clearance to any structure, mechanical, fuel
tank, exhaust system, or any limiting component. The limiting components for this document are located
forward of the front tires or rearward of the rear tires.
4. Notes
4.1 Marginal Indicia—The (R) is for the convenience of the user in locating areas where technical revisions have
been made to the previous issue of the report. If the symbol is next to the report title, it indicates a complete
revision of the report.
-3-
SAE J689 Revised JUN96
Rationale—Revisions from SAE J689 DEC89 are based on upgrades to comply with vehicle in-transit shipping
and towing and recovery requirements.
• The category “multipurpose passenger vehicles” has been included in light of the vehicles’ recent
popularity.
• All worldwide requirements and regulations have been considered.
• The ramp breakover angles have been increased from 10 to 12 degrees to comply to the 12 degree
breakover angle required for vehicles shipped by haulaway trailers to minimize damage.
• While the 16 degree approach angle has been retained, the departure angle has been increased from
10 to 13 degrees to comply with a 13 degree requirement for car carrier transports, which can load the
vehicle from either front or rear.
• 13 degree approach angle added for flexible components.
• The height under Curb Height Clearance remains unchanged.
Application—This SAE Recommended Practice applies to rigid structural components of cars, multipurpose
passenger vehicles, and light trucks. However, consideration should also be given to flexible
components such as air dams, lower valence panels, aero shields, bumper covers, and fascias.