What is the purpose of a sway bar in a vehicle's suspension system?

The purpose of a sway bar, also known as an anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar, in a vehicle's suspension system is to improve cornering stability. This component connects the left and right suspensions, helping to reduce body roll during cornering. When a vehicle turns, centrifugal force tends to lean or roll the vehicle toward the outside of the turn. The sway bar counteracts this motion by transferring some of the suspension load from the outside wheel to the inside wheel, thereby keeping the vehicle more level and stable.

By enhancing cornering stability, the sway bar increases the driver's control and confidence while navigating turns, ultimately contributing to improved handling characteristics. This function is particularly important in performance and sporty vehicles where maintaining traction and vehicle dynamics is crucial.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary function of a sway bar. Absorbing shocks is primarily the role of shock absorbers, supporting the vehicle's weight is managed by the springs in the suspension system, and maintaining tire pressure is the responsibility of the tire itself and not a function of the sway bar.