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Read articleAutomotive glossary
Vehicle axle
In a vehicle description, an axle identifies a set of wheels positioned along a transverse reference line. Depending on the design, it may be a steering axle, a driven axle, or serve other functions.
Reviewed 05.10.2026 · Version 2 · Scope: General
How to interpret it
The term is used for different configurations, including independent suspensions. The number and arrangement of axles help describe the vehicle and interpret its mass limits.
Example
Hypothetical example: a two-axle vehicle may have drive on one axle or on both. Counting the axles does not by itself show which ones receive power from the engine.
Why it matters to you
It helps explain dimensions, load distribution, and drive systems without confusing different vehicle functions.
Common points of confusion
Not every use of the word axle should be interpreted as a rigid component connecting both wheels. Nor is it a general geometric reference outside the vehicle context.
Documentary sources
Reglamento General de Vehículos: definiciones de masas Boletín Oficial del Estado · 2026-10-05
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