Course on load transfer during braking and acceleration
Online course of 300 hours in load transfer under braking and acceleration: 6 modules covering masses, centre of gravity and weight distribution, the tyre and vertical load, braking dynamics, acceleration and traction dynamics, and set-up for load transfer, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course on load transfer during braking and acceleration — studying from Malta
Malta has a modest automotive presence, with the island's economy relying more on services than on vehicle manufacturing. Activity is mainly found in vehicle distribution, aftermarket servicing, and the supply of components and specialist workshops. Engineers interested in motorsport and performance vehicles can find opportunities with dealership groups, service centres and importers that support technical development and customer support. The market favours professionals who combine mechanical knowledge with an understanding of modern electronic and diagnostic systems used across contemporary vehicles.
Fees for Malta: €743 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which professional bodies in Malta recognise automotive engineers, and does a private qualification give me a regulated title?
In Malta, the title 'engineer' is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Vehicle inspection and roadworthiness fall under Transport Malta. SEIUM qualifications are private qualifications, not official state degrees and not accredited by any national body, so they do not automatically confer a regulated title. Recognition is determined by employers or the relevant body.
What kinds of automotive and motorsport employers operate in Malta?
Malta has a limited automotive manufacturing base, so most relevant roles are in automotive service and distribution, fleet management, vehicle inspection, and suppliers serving wider European markets. Motorsport-related work is small and largely international. Employers will judge candidates on demonstrated skills and experience, so a private qualification should be presented alongside practical evidence.
How do I fit a 300 to 1,900-hour programme around a job, and how is the course taught?
Everything is delivered online in English with an assigned technical tutor, so there is no need to attend campus or obtain a visa. Specialist courses are around 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's 1,900 hours. Check your weekly time commitment against your job, and ask whether employer sponsorship or instalment payments could help with funding.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Calculate longitudinal load transfer under braking and acceleration.
Relate vertical load to the grip available at the tyre.
Adjust brake distribution according to vehicle behaviour.
Optimise traction through suspension geometry and electronics.
Apply anti-dive and anti-squat geometry to pitch control.
Interpret telemetry to detect load-related problems.
Document technically justified set-up sheets.
Who it's for
- Vehicle dynamics engineers.
- Track engineers.
- Suspension engineers.
- Performance data analysts.
- Set-up technicians.
- Technical driving instructors.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter motor racing.
What you'll work with
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics vocabulary)
- SAE J670 (vehicle dynamics terminology)
- ISO 7975 (braking in a turn, open-loop test method)
- UNECE Regulation No. 13-H (braking of passenger cars)
- ISO 21994 (straight-line stopping distance with ABS)
- Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (technical regulations for competition vehicles)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- CarSim
- MoTeC i2 Pro
- OptimumG OptimumKinematics
6 modules
1.1Measuring static weight distribution on scales1.2Determining the height of the centre of gravity1.3Wheelbase, track and their effect on load transfer1.4Sprung and unsprung mass1.5Longitudinal load transfer equation1.6Influence of downforce on weight distribution1.7Change in weight distribution with fuel consumption1.8Ballast and its regulatory placement1.9Pitch moment of inertia1.10Practical exercise: calculating load transfer under 1.5 g braking
2.1Tyre load sensitivity2.2Longitudinal force versus slip curve2.3Optimum longitudinal slip under braking2.4Loss of total grip through excessive load transfer2.5Friction circle and combined friction ellipse2.6Pacejka Magic Formula tyre model2.7Effect of pressure and temperature on grip2.8Wheel locking and flat spots on the tread2.9Wheelspin under traction and overheating2.10Laboratory: fitting Pacejka curves in MATLAB
3.1Ideal front-rear brake distribution3.2Adjusting brake bias with the balance bar3.3Anti-dive geometry in the front suspension3.4Braking in corners and combined load transfer3.5Locking of the inside front wheel3.6Engine braking and its effect on the rear axle3.7Pressure gradient and driver modulation3.8Choice of master cylinder diameter3.9Reading brake pressure in telemetry3.10Case study: adjusting brake bias at a slow circuit
4.1Load transfer towards the rear axle4.2Anti-squat geometry and suspension reaction4.3Rear-wheel drive versus front-wheel drive4.4Influence of the limited-slip differential on corner exit4.5Traction control and its calibration4.6Engine torque maps by gear4.7Optimum slip on corner exit4.8Power limitations in low gears4.9Reading wheelspin in telemetry4.10Case study: improving traction at a hairpin
5.1Spring stiffness and pitch control5.2Adjusting compression and rebound damping5.3Ride height and rake5.4Suspension stops and bump stops5.5Roll stiffness distribution5.6Balance between braking and traction5.7Interpreting driver feedback5.8Recording changes on the set-up sheet5.9Common mistakes in pitch adjustment5.10Practical exercise: annotated set-up sheet for a GT car
6.1Selection of the vehicle and data collection6.2Spreadsheet calculation model6.3Simulation of braking and acceleration6.4Proposed suspension and brake settings6.5Validation with real telemetry6.6Sensitivity analysis and conclusions6.7Study of optimum brake distribution6.8Proposed final set-up sheet6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, CarSim, MoTeC i2 Pro and OptimumG OptimumKinematics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures: calculating longitudinal load transfer, adjusting brake distribution and analysing traction on corner exit. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: ISO 8855; SAE J670; ISO 7975; UNECE Regulation No. 13-H; ISO 21994; Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB/Simulink, CarSim, MoTeC i2 Pro and OptimumG OptimumKinematics, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you only need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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