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 net, curb and full mass. These indicators often differ by 400-800 kilograms or more, it all depends on the size and carrying capacity of the vehicle. 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, a full tank of fuel, but does not take into account the maximum weight of cargo and passengers. Gross weight, in turn, taking into account the curb weight indicator 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. He 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 vehicle weighs on the road. In Russia, one of the points of GOST related to the operation of cars provides for the following features:
- 75 kg is added to the curb weight of the car - the weight of the driver, as a necessary element of the car's trip;
- a bus or long-distance truck, if there is room for a crew member, add another 75 kilograms to the weight 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 of the vehicle is added to the unladen weight of the vehicle;
- the spare wheel must be taken into account, and the weight of the jack, fire extinguisher and other elements is added.
There are also several formulas for the individual determination of the curb weight. For trucks, this point is extremely important, since at weighing points minus curb weight, you can check the weight of luggage, the maximum permissible weight of the car, and so on. Therefore, in individual cases, inspection services can apply formulas for calculating the curb 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, it 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 number;
- 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 the important points of technical characteristics, which takes into account all the subtleties, of which sometimes up to 500 kilograms are gained. 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 checked with an 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's 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 the 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 the curb weight, in this regard, 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 at hand (in the bookmarks of an Internet browser in a mobile phone, for example) a website with a full description of the technical characteristics of various 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?
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 ...
To begin with, it is worth noting that this is a very important characteristic. With this value, it is possible to calculate the fuel consumption as well as the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle. 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 everything unnecessary is 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 at high revs, medium revs are 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 bodies of modern cars as much as possible, 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
This term is rarely used in everyday life; it is mainly used by manufacturers on test benches. "Dry" is the mass of the 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.
Unladen mass (if fully - the mass of the car in the "curb" without load) sometimes also the curb mass of the car
Is in the designation in the TCP. No load (but in running order) is the mass of a 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 mass established by the manufacturer with the driver and passengers, with cargo, with all liquids, with fuel, with tools, as well as with towing devices that affect the mass (trailers, motorhomes).
With this maximum weight, 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.
The characteristic of the mass of the car is the primary criterion for fuel consumption and other indicators, which also affects all kinds of auto systems. Basic concepts regarding vehicle masses are usually taught in a driving school. However, for many car owners, this is a tricky question. In this article we will tell you what is the difference between the total mass and the equipped mass and what it is; as well as find out what the payload mass and the maximum permissible mass are.
Interesting fact! The dump truck BelAZ 75710 (Belarus) is considered to be the vehicle with the greatest weight. Its weight is 810 tons, and its carrying capacity is 450 tons. In 2014, this car transported a load of 503.5 tons and thus set a new Guinness Book record for Europe and the CIS.
What is the curb weight of a car
The curb weight of the vehicle is the weight of the vehicle, which takes into account the weight of the standard equipment (spare wheel, tools), the weight of all consumables (fuel, coolant, oil, etc.), but does not take into account the weight of the cargo, driver and passengers. In other words, the total value of the masses of all components of an empty vehicle filled up to a full tank, which has all the standard equipment and the required fluid levels and means the unladen weight of the vehicle.
You can find the figure corresponding to the curb weight of your car in its data sheet, or among the technical characteristics of the model of your car.
Note!In many European countries, the driver's weight (75 kg) is included in the curb weight. Manufacturers are of the opinion that the presence of a driver is a prerequisite for the movement of a vehicle, and, therefore, its weight cannot be added to the payload.
The curb weight is also called the unloaded weight, while the total mass of the vehicle is considered the mass, which includes the weight of equipment, consumables, as well as the weight of the driver, the weight of passengers and cargo. That is, the difference between gross and curb weights lies in the weight of the driver, passengers and cargo carried by the vehicle.
We also mention such a concept as dry weight auto. This is the real weight of the machine as a structure, device, mechanism. In other words, it is the total actual unladen weight of the vehicle without any consumable fluids.
Payload mass
Now we will talk about such an important technical and basic operational characteristic of vehicles as the carrying capacity, in other words, the mass of the payload. This is the total weight of all cargo (corresponding to the general technical and operational characteristics of the vehicle) that the vehicle is carrying. By setting the permissible maximum axle load of the rolling stock per meter of track, you can determine the estimated payload mass of the vehicle.
Conventionally, the carrying capacity can be divided into estimated and nominal... If the calculated one takes into account only the permissible weight that the vehicle can carry, then the rated one also takes into account the quality of the road. On a hard surface, it can be from 0.5 tons (for passenger cars) to more than 28 tons (for dump trucks).
Did you know? In some types of vehicles, a certification plate is attached to the door frame, which indicates the technical data, including the weight of the maximum permissible load on each axle.
Maximum permissible (gross) weight
If we talk about the permissible maximum mass of a vehicle, then this is the mass of the equipped and extremely loaded vehicle, provided by the developer. The weight of the driver and passengers is also taken into account. Each brand and model has its own maximum permissible weight, which depends on the materials used in the manufacture of the car, body structure and other auto parts.
Important! It is advisable not to exceed the permissible maximum of this indicator in order to avoid deformation of the body and problems with the suspension.
The traffic rules also state that the permitted maximum mass of a road train means the sum of the maximum permissible masses of all vehicles that make up the train. It is also worth mentioning that since 2015, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has introduced some restrictions for trucks aimed at preserving the integrity of the roadway. As stated in Decree No. 8669 of 21.10: for the carriage of divisible goods, the maximum permitted mass of a truck is no more than 40 tons, which applies to public roads.
As you can see, all concepts are extremely simple and understandable. We hope that all of the above will be useful to you and there will be no confusion.
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 the 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 to 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 GVW. 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 quite 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.
One of the key characteristics of a car is its weight. The weight of a vehicle directly affects fuel consumption and the performance of many of the systems in the vehicle.
Choosing a new car for themselves, many buyers think about the question of its curb, full and maximum permissible weights. After all, vehicles are often used to transport passengers and large loads. If the machine is not designed for the required loads, it will be unsuitable for the planned mode of operation.
It is corny that the driver must understand how many passengers and luggage he can take on board, so as not to harm his car, not to provoke a breakdown of the suspension or other components due to overload.
The basic concepts of vehicle mass characteristics are described in theoretical terms. Many do not consider such information useful, but they come across it after a while. Because of this, motorists have difficulties when studying this issue.
Curb weight concept
This is the most common concept that automakers, official dealers focus on and which drivers themselves look at.
The curb weight of any car is the weight or mass of a vehicle, which includes the weight of all standard equipment, operating materials, but does not take into account the weight of the cargo, passengers and the driver.
Standard equipment usually includes stock and tools. As for operating materials, they consider fuel, engine and transmission oil, coolants and other components.
You can describe in a slightly different way what the curb weight is in any factory car. This is the total weight of the components of a vehicle empty in terms of cargo, driver and passengers, but with a full fuel tank and all standard tools, equipment and fluids. In fact, this is a car in the form that is supplied to car dealerships. It contains all the essentials, but there is nothing superfluous that the car owner himself will gradually accumulate.
Determining the value of this characteristic is not difficult. This is due to the fact that the curb weight, like the gross vehicle weight, is often. But they mean different parameters. Therefore, first you should look at the technical data sheet. Also, such information is available even before buying a car, since manufacturers and sellers must prescribe these parameters in the list of technical characteristics.
It is important to add that the EU has adopted a slightly different norm, according to which the driver's weight is included in the total unladen weight. This takes into account the standard weight of 75 kilograms.
The decision is quite reasonable and has a logical explanation. The point is that the movement of a vehicle will be impossible in the absence of a person in it, that is, a driver. It is considered a significant component of the car, which is why automakers find it wrong to classify drivers as payloads.
Curb weight has a different name. This is the unloaded mass. As for the total mass of the vehicle, then everything is somewhat different.
It is precisely in the concept of total mass that the weight of equipment, consumables, driver, cargo and passengers is additionally included. From here it is not difficult to tell the difference between the two. It consists in the weight characteristics of the passengers in the car, the driver himself and the cargo located in the cabin or luggage compartment.
Another important characteristic is considered to be the dry weight of a vehicle. It includes the net weight of the machine itself, its structure. In this case, the weight of standard equipment, fuel, consumable fluids should be subtracted from the unladen weight. Then we get that very dry mass.
Calculation features
Each country has the right to use its own formula to determine the curb weight of a particular vehicle. This is not surprising, since such a criterion is key for the admission of vehicles to areas where there are weight restrictions. This primarily applies to bridges, as well as dams and other similar structures.
As already noted, in Europe, the average weight of a motorist is additionally added, that is, an indicator of the average weight of a person. This way you can better generate data on the weight of the car.
If we talk about the rules for the Russian Federation, then when calculating the curb weight, the following points are taken into account:
- 75 kilograms. As in the case of the European Union, in Russia there is a rule for adding the average indicator of a person's weight to the curb weight. It is based on the simple concept that the driver is an indispensable component for the movement of the vehicle;
- if these are trucks or buses intended for, with a structurally provided place for a crew member, also add 75 kilograms;
- instruments. The curb weight must include a list of tools necessary for the motorist;
- 90%. It is this volume of the filled fuel tank that is included in the curb weight. If we take a standard tank volume of 60 liters and roughly calculate the mass of fuel, it turns out that about 55 kilograms are taken into account as a surcharge to the curb weight;
- spare wheel. The spare wheel is an obligatory component;
- jack, fire extinguisher, etc.
Summing all these parameters with dry weight, the final value is obtained, which is indicated in the technical documentation of the car.
It is worth noting the fact of the existence of special formulas that allow you to individually calculate the curb weight. This is especially true for freight vehicles that pass through special points for the weighing procedure. If you subtract the curb weight from the weights, you can find out about the exact weight of the load, the maximum weight and other characteristics.
Therefore, in certain situations, the controlling services use calculation formulas to determine this parameter.
Why is it important to know
There are a number of life situations of a motorist when he needs or just needs to know exactly the parameters of the curb weight of his vehicle.
Each machine has a certain limit on the weight of the transported and towed cargo. If you get stuck and ask the driver of a car that is technically unable to handle such loads to tow you, the consequences will be negative for both parties.
Also, the curb weight must be remembered when passing difficult sections, bridges, dangerous places, etc. On the roads there are special warning signs showing the maximum weight you can drive here.
Payload mass concept
Having dealt with the concepts of the mass of a car without a load, we are now interested in a slightly different mass of the car. Experts and ordinary motorists believe that the most significant from the point of view of vehicle operation is such a characteristic as carrying capacity. It is also called payload mass. But the concept of carrying capacity is clearer and simpler. This will not change the essence in any way.
The carrying capacity of a vehicle is understood as the total weight of all cargo transported by a vehicle, which meets the operational and general technical characteristics of the vehicles.
It is important to take into account the division of the mass of the payload into nominal and calculated.
In the case of the calculated one, only the weight is taken into account that is maximally capable of transporting a particular vehicle. In the case of the nominal, the quality of the road surface on which the cargo is transported is necessarily taken into account. If this is a hard surface, then cars are capable of transporting from 500 kg. cargo and more. In the case of trucks and dump trucks, figures appear in the region of 25-30 tons.
Total mass concept
Next, let's figure out what, according to the rules, is called the permissible maximum or gross vehicle weight. Many people identify such concepts as the curb and gross weight of a car or truck. But this is not entirely correct.
There is a significant difference between these meanings, which cannot be overlooked. This will be a serious mistake.
If we talk about what the full or maximum permissible mass of a car means, then here we mean the weight of the equipped and extremely loaded vehicle, which was laid down at the stage of model design. Additionally, the weight of the driver and his passengers is taken into account.
Each individual brand and specific vehicle model has its own indicators of permissible or gross weight. In many ways, this characteristic depends on what materials were used in the production of body parts, interior elements and other components.
Mm (maximum mass) = msn. (equipped) + Mgr.p. (cargo and passengers) + Мв. (driver)
It is highly discouraged to violate the requirements for maximum vehicle loading. If there is too much cargo and people on board, which exceeds the load prescribed in the technical documentation, this will lead to serious problems. The suspension will be the first to suffer. The risk of encountering deformations of the body itself also increases.
Differences between full and equipped
In order to finally understand these concepts, it is necessary to make some clarity regarding the equipped and total mass. Many people know that these concepts are different, but how exactly they differ, they cannot say for sure.
It's all about what exactly is included in the general indicators of the two characteristics. If compared with the parameters of the curb weight, then the full weight of the motorist himself, that is, the driver, passengers on board, etc., will be additionally taken into account.
It cannot be denied that not all people meet the standards laid down in the technical parameters. Weight of 75 kilograms is considered an average, since the driver can weigh both 50 kilograms and 150 kilograms. People are different, and hence the difference in their weight arises.
The situation is similar with the transported baggage and cargo. Someone practically does not use the luggage compartment, and at most transports several packages from the supermarket a couple of times a week. Others regularly fill the trunk as much as possible with various objects, things and goods. It comes to the point that the rear suspension lowers from such a load, and the car barely gets under way.
This difference in characteristics has led to the active use of the concept of permissible total mass. Each separately taken vehicle has a limit mark in terms of congestion, which the structure does not allow to cross. This was foreseen by car manufacturers even at the design and production stage.
The more a vehicle is loaded, the more intensively the fuel is consumed, the consumption of not only gasoline, but also oil increases, the tires wear out faster, the wear of the suspension elements and the engine itself accelerates.
This does not mean at all that the car cannot be used as a means of transporting baggage or passengers. There is no need to prohibit anyone other than the driver from getting into the car. But it is necessary to adhere to the maximum loads established by the manufacturer. Otherwise, you run the risk of serious breakdowns, body deformation and other troubles.
In fact, all the concepts considered are quite simple. It will not be difficult to understand them and determine the difference.
