CPG Roads and SurfacesDurability and Reliability testing goes on year round in laboratories and on specially designed roads at the 3,850 acre Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Michigan, 60 miles west of Detroit. Dedicated in 1954, its roads and facilities are continually being improved and expanded to keep pace with product offerings and testing techniques. In addition to test roads and surfaces, the Chelsea Proving Grounds also offers impact testing, emissions and fuel economy testing. These additional testing capabilities are displayed in our testing tab.
 Durability Roads
Evaluation and Handling RoadsThese roads are used for evaluation of steady state handling through a variety of cornering radii at a wide range of vehicle speeds. Testing consists of both subjective and instrumented events designed for sub-limit and limit evaluations. Vehicle Dynamics FacilityThe Vehicle Dynamics Facility is an 18 acre paved surface to evaluate steering, suspension, and braking characteristics at speeds up to 100 miles per hour.  GradesWe offer 7, 15, and 32 percent grade roads to evaluate hill climbing and service brakes. Additional grades of 20 and 30 percent are dedicated to parking brake and parking sprag testing. Off Road Test AreasDurability roads include hilly, off-road areas with grades of 20 to 60 percent for testing four-wheel drive vehicles, and a mud pond for evaluating vehicle splash characteristics.  Oval Test TrackOur Oval Test Track has six lanes, is 4.7 miles long, and is conductive to speeds in excess of 200 mph, and has Neutral Steer of 130 mph. This track is used for collecting data on highway and city-type driving. It is also used for endurance, engine cycling, brake, transmission and rear axle performance, fuel economy, and engine temperature.  Ride RoadThis road offers a 4.3 mile asphalt and concrete surfaced road for vehicle ride evaluations, steering and suspension testing, body shake, noise and vibration analysis.
 Skid Traction FacilityThe Skid Traction Facility offers four 1,000 foot lanes with various degrees of slipperiness to measure vehicle stability and stopping capability. Splash TroughThe concrete trough is 250 feet long and 12 feet wide. It’s designed to splash water on electrical components in the engine compartment. Straightaway RoadsWe offer two paved straight level roads with 80 foot turn around pads. These roads are used for testing acceleration and deceleration, stop and go, high speed braking, engine drivability, steering, and tires. Durability Garage ServicesThe Durability Garage maintains 30 Hoists, Fog-Chamber, Tire Changing and Balancing facilities, Torque Calibration, Tool Storage and Computer Stations. Here mechanics, technicians, test drivers, engineers and Management all work together to accomplish durability testing.
 Durability Testing Includes
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