Changing gear while cornering has what effect on the vehicle?

Changing gear while cornering can significantly destabilize the vehicle. When a driver shifts gears during a turn, it can lead to a disruption in the car's balance and traction. This is primarily due to the weight transfer occurring during cornering; if the driver changes gears, especially if it involves a sudden change in throttle input, it can upset the vehicle’s grip on the road surface.

During a corner, the vehicle's weight is shifting, and any additional movement from changing gears — whether that’s lifting off the throttle or accelerating — can cause the tires to lose traction. Inadequate traction means the vehicle might understeer or oversteer, leading to a potential loss of control. Effective cornering requires maintaining stability and ensuring that the weight distribution remains optimal for the best grip, making smooth maneuvering and acceleration crucial during this phase.

In contrast, other options do not accurately reflect the implications of gear changing while navigating a corner: stability is compromised, there is potential for loss of control, and speed cannot be effectively increased if traction is not maintained. Therefore, the correct understanding emphasizes the importance of maintaining stability by avoiding gear changes while cornering.