If you try to find out the weight of your car, you will realize that there are several indicators of this criterion. There is a clean, well equipped and full mass... These indicators often differ by 400-800 kilograms or more, it all depends on the size and carrying capacity of the car. And if the net weight is the weight of the car without any additions and even without oil in the engine, then the curb weight reflects the weight of the car, which is completely ready for use. This means that the curb weight includes the weight of technical fluids, full tank fuel, but does not take into account the maximum weight of cargo and passengers. Gross weight, in turn, taking into account the curb weight with the potential weight of the permissible number of passengers and cargo.
It is understood that the gross weight is hypothetical and may vary depending on the weight of the passengers. And we rarely carry a full trunk of cargo. Therefore, this indicator is hypothetical and not very accurate. It is rarely useful. Net car weight is also never a useful indicator, because you will not operate a car without antifreeze, fuel, engine and transmission oil... It is the curb weight that is one of the most important indicators for each car.
European measurements of the curb weight of the car
Each country may have its own formula for determining the curb weight of a vehicle. It is this criterion that is taken into account when cars are allowed on a bridge or dam, so it is extremely important to obtain accurate data in order to avoid overloading. In Europe, 75 kilograms is added to the curb weight of a car - the average weight of one person. This allows you to get clear data on how much the car weighs on the road. In Russia, one of the points of GOST related to the operation of cars provides for the following features:
- 75 kilograms is added to the curb weight of the car - the driver's weight, as necessary element car trips;
- bus or truck long distance, if there is room for a crew member, add another 75 kilograms to the mass of the car;
- the weight of the required tool, which is present in the car or bus, is also taken into account;
- at least 90% of the weight of the full fuel tank is added to the unladen weight of the vehicle vehicle;
- spare wheel must be taken into account, and the weight of the jack, fire extinguisher and other elements is also added.
There are also several formulas for the individual determination of the curb weight. For trucks this point is extremely important, because at weighing points minus curb weight, you can check the weight of the baggage, the maximum permissible weight of the car, and so on. Therefore, in individual cases, inspection services can apply formulas to calculate the unladen weight of a car, taking into account the parts present in the car, the number of people, and so on. Many drivers do not understand at all why they need to know the equipped or any other weight of the car.
Why do you need to know the curb weight of a car?
There are many situations in which you may need information about the curb weight of a vehicle. First of all, this is towing. Each car has a maximum towable weight. If you ask to tow a car that technically cannot pull your car, you will have to deal with various problems later. It should be remembered about the curb weight of the car and in those situations when you pass dangerous places, local bridges over small rivers. Some of these places even have warnings about the limitation of the machine's weight. Therefore, you should always follow these rules:
- when buying a car, you should immediately find out its curb weight, which is indicated by the manufacturer;
- it is necessary to find out the formula by which the curb weight was calculated and remember the figure;
- if you need to estimate the weight of the car, you can add the weight of the people in the car to the value of the mass;
- also do not forget about situational luggage, which is not included in the curb weight of your car;
- you shouldn't worry about fuel, oil, fire extinguisher and first aid kit - these elements are already taken into account in the indicators.
As you can see, it is necessary to know the curb weight indicator for the car owner. This is one of important points technical characteristics, which takes into account all the subtleties, of which sometimes up to 500 kilograms are recruited. You will never calculate the optimal weight of a machine if you only know the net weight. But find out if the driver's weight was involved in calculating the curb weight for your vehicle. This can be clarified with authorized dealer or on the manufacturer's website in the technical support of the owners.
We buy tires and wheels - another use of the curb weight
When you buy new rims for a car, there is a risk of problems if the weight of the car does not match the capacity of the rims. In this case, any bump will turn into a metal destroyer, steel disks will bend, and cast ones will get cracks. It is also important to keep the weight of the car in mind when choosing a rubber. If you do not take into account the rubber load index, the most unpleasant consequences can occur. Among the common problems that are caused by a mismatch between the weight of the car and the rubber load index, the following points can be called:
- destruction of the rubber cord and blowing out various irregularities on the side surface or the working part of the tire;
- the fastest possible wear of the tread and uneven wear of the working rubber layer due to too strong pressure;
- the inability to properly inflate the wheels in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations;
- lack of normal car control, since the tires change the trajectory of the car;
- decrease in the safety of vehicle operation for a number of reasons;
- very bad influence on the braking distance - a decrease in the resistance of the rubber during braking;
- poor roll-off and increased fuel consumption due to rolling resistance.
Such unpleasant consequences can happen simply because you did not take into account the curb weight of the car when buying tires or wheels. This proves once again that the indicator of the weight of the car is important enough for the normal operation of the vehicle. It is worth writing down the curb weight of the car and dividing this value by four in order to select the optimal tires or wheels. After all, manufacturers indicate the maximum weight per tire in kilograms that one tire can withstand. To distract from technical considerations, we suggest you watch a very exciting video about one of the most unique cars in the world:
Summing up
All technical characteristics of the car are very important during the operation of the car, so you should not throw out the papers issued to you in the salon when buying a car as soon as the warranty period expires. The car will serve you for a long time and will not become a problem if you always remember what the curb weight of your car is, which consumables are better to buy, how much oil you need to fill, and so on. And in this regard, the curb weight remains a rather important criterion that allows you to maintain high-quality machines and buy consumables and materials.
If you do not know the curb weight of the car, you should always understand where you can find it. To do this, you need to keep it at hand (in the bookmarks of the Internet browser in mobile phone, for example) a site with a full description of the technical characteristics different cars... In this catalog you will find the necessary data on the equipped and full weight, you can in any situation get information about which parts are better for you to buy. Do you know what is the curb weight of your car?
In the realm of cars and everything connected with them, there are two concepts such as gross vehicle weight and curb weight. These are two characteristics that are always talked about in theoretical classes at a driving school, but many even the most inveterate drivers manage to forget this terminology. In order to make it clear what all this means and how it affects the car itself, we will try to consider this issue in detail.
Brief interpretation of the term
So, the curb weight of a car is the total weight of the car. It includes all running parts, all interior filling (including audio-video equipment), as well as consumables such as engine oil, coolant and fuel (full tank). The indicator of this weight unit does not include the weight of the driver and passengers, as well as cargo and other parts that do not affect the work. running system cars. Based on the term itself, one can understand that this is the very "equipment", that is, equipment that ensures complete readiness for the process of movement, braking, sliding, and so on.
Gross and curb weight of the car: differences
Unlike the curb weight, the full weight also includes the weight of the driver, passengers and transported goods. It is clear that all people are different, and each is characterized by its own mark on the scales. The same applies to luggage - the car can be packed in such a way that it will not budge. That is why the concept of "permissible gross vehicle weight" is most often used among motorists. Each car has its own highest solvable mark, it all depends on the manufacturer, the materials used in the structure, as well as on the body structure and other supporting parts. It is important not to load your car so that this figure is exceeded. Otherwise, the body will gradually deform, as well as bridge systems and other parts that are attached to the suspension.
Exceptions to machine rules
As already mentioned above, the curb weight of a car is the weight that is characteristic of it when fully "equipped", with the presence of all Supplies and accessories. However, in some European countries, this weight unit also includes the driver's weight, but only if it does not exceed 75 kilograms. The Europeans came to this conclusion because it is the driver who is the reason for the movement of the car, and without him the driving process will become impossible. In Russia, the curb weight of a car is, in addition to all the parts mentioned, also a spare wheel, tools that can be useful on the road in the event of an accident or breakdown, and sometimes a can of spare fuel.
Machine weight and its maximum speed threshold
It is also known from physics lessons that heavier objects will always move at a slower speed, since they have to overcome more resistance. What does the curb weight of a car and its technical characteristics mean, how do they interact with each other? In order not to delve into the study of the features of each model of each brand of modern cars, we will consider this issue on two types of cars: a two-seater coupe and an SUV. The weight of the first car is, of course, small. Yes, the engine, injectors and everything that provides fast acceleration takes a considerable share. sports car... However, her body is small, there are only two seats in the cabin, luggage compartment absent. The weight of the jeep is two or even three times more, it has five or six seats, a multi-liter trunk. It takes up a lot of space and fuel tank, the volume of which is always extremely large. Logically, the Audi TT RS will move faster and more agile than
In the automotive industry, there are terms such as gross weight and unladen weight. These terms are the ones that driving schools are sure to talk about in theory. But, today, even many drivers with great experience do not remember or do not know about it. The curb weight of the car is the total weight of the car with the necessary equipment, all materials that are needed during the operation of the car, a full tank of fuel, the weight of the driver, but excluding the passenger weight and the weight of the cargo.
The total mass is the mass of the car, which is extremely possible and consists of: the weight of the driver and passengers, the mass of the equipped car, as well as the weight of the goods.
What is the difference between curb and gross vehicle weight
If you understand the differences between these concepts, then the whole point boils down to what exactly can be included and summed up in the general criterion of mass. Compared with the value of the curb weight of the car, in the indicator of its gross weight still appears the weight of the driver, and the weight of all passengers, as well as the weight of the carried baggage.
Gross vehicle weight = vehicle weight + weight of all people in the vehicle + cargo in the luggage compartment.
Curb weight = vehicle weight without additional loads.
Of course, each person's weight is different. The same can be attributed to luggage. Therefore, drivers use terms such as “gross vehicle weight”. Each car has its own highest permissible indicator, everything will depend on the manufacturer, the materials from which the car is made, as well as the shape of the car body, etc.
Do not overload the machine. If this is not observed, then during the use of the car, deformation of the body, bridge systems, and also other parts that need to be fixed to the suspension of the car will occur with it. And do not forget that under the condition of the full curb weight of the car, the fuel will be consumed in large volumes. Also, weight is always taken into account when using a two-post lift.
All of the above tips for motorists are pretty important information, especially if the driver does not have sufficient driving experience behind him. They should not be neglected or ignored. Because sometimes even experienced drivers and chauffeurs perform certain actions that may not seem at first glance ridiculous and trifling, but which can lead to consequences. Therefore, be careful and careful when driving.
A question from a reader:
« Good day. Help me deal with the weight of the car! There are many different indicators, the head is spinning, and two are indicated in the TCP! For example - what is the permissible vehicle weight? What is no load? And the last thing is the curb weight of the car? Thank you in advance. Luda»
The question is really interesting. I will try to explain in simple words, read our article ...
For a start, it is worth noting - this is very important characteristic... With this value, it is possible to calculate the fuel consumption as well as dynamic characteristics car. For example, a car with the same technical component (engine power and identical transmissions) may differ in dynamics due to the weight of the car. Even a difference of 20 - 50 kg can greatly affect the dynamics of the car, the difference can be 1-2 seconds, and this is significant. That is why all unnecessary things are removed from racing cars in order to lighten the body as much as possible, and accordingly increase the dynamics of the car. Also - the lighter your car, the less it consumes. If the car body is light, the engine does not need to push the heavy body on high revs, medium speed is enough and the speed is reached, therefore the consumption is less.
As you can see, mass influences a lot. Therefore, manufacturers are trying to lighten the body as much as possible. modern cars using stronger and lighter materials such as aluminum alloys, carbon, etc.
But as you rightly noted in the TCP, and in the car operation book, there are many different masses. Let's go in order.
Dry weight of the vehicle
Such a term is rarely used in everyday life; it is mainly used by manufacturers on test benches. "Dry" is the mass of a car, without equipment that is not rigidly attached, and also without oils (engine and transmission), without fluids (cooling, brake, washer fluid), without fuel, without tools, without passengers and without any cargo ... That is, almost a "naked" car.
Unloaded mass (if fully - the mass of the car in the "curb" without load) sometimes also the curb weight of the car
Is in the designation in the TCP. No load (but in running order) is the mass of the car, without a driver and passengers, without cargo, but with a full supply of fuel, the necessary tools and spare consumables (jack, pump and spare wheel) and full equipment with fluids. That is, both gasoline and all oils and fluids (cooling, brake, washer fluid) are all there.
Permitted maximum weight (in TCP it is indicated as permissiblemax mass)
This is the maximum permissible weight, installed by the manufacturer with a driver and passengers, with cargo, with all liquids, with fuel, with tools, as well as with trailed devices that affect weight (trailers, motorhomes).
With this maximum mass, the car retains its technical properties, if you exceed it, then the movement may not be safe. The suspension may simply not be able to withstand. It should be noted that manufacturers take into account the driver and passengers weighing 75 - 80 kg.
These are the masses of the car obtained. I hope my article was useful to you.
Very often in automotive world you can find two terms that relate to the mass of the car - this is the curb weight of the car and its permissible gross weight. What kind of masses are they and, as they say, what they are eaten with, we were told in detail in a driving school. However, over time, all concepts are forgotten, and confusion begins. To put everything in its place, explaining what the curb weight of a car is, my article today will help.
To begin with, the indicators of the mass of the car are one of the determining factors in the fuel consumption of the car and some other characteristics of the car, and also have a significant impact on the operation of many systems of the car. And you can easily find the values of the curb weight of the car in technical characteristics model of your car, as well as in its data sheet.
In general curb weight- this is the mass of the car without the driver and passengers, but includes its standard equipment, consumables, for example, engine oil, engine coolant, and also includes a full tank of fuel.
The curb weight of the vehicle must be distinguished from the gross vehicle weight and dry weight. Dry weight of the vehicle less equipped by the amount of fuel, consumables and some equipment. In other words, it is the mass of an unloaded and unladen vehicle.
Permissible gross vehicle weight- this is the mass of the maximum loaded car provided by the manufacturers. It is also often called the permitted maximum mass. If you want your car to serve you for a long time, then it is better not to exceed this indicator, since excessive overloading negatively affects the car body and suspension parts.
