Curb weight and gross vehicle weight. Vehicle weight What does the curb weight mean?

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 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.

And motor vehicles as a starting weight. It should be understood as the true own non-operational mass of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle, taking into account the absence of fluids intended for its operation and spare parts (spare parts, tools, accessories).

Thus, the dry mass can be considered the mass of a road or motor vehicle that is not ready for operation without fluids (the fuel tank must be empty, other fluids (for example, coolant, brake fluid, fluid in the washer reservoir) and oils (for example, engine oil and gearbox oil) also absent), showing only the weight of the parts included in its design, which are not related to spare parts (spare parts, tools, accessories). Many cars and motorcycles with a sidecar have a spare wheel as a spare part. A jack is standard on many vehicles as a tool. There is ambiguity about what exactly belongs to the accessories. By the logic of things and by analogy with tools, accessories can be considered parts that assume free fastening with the possibility of removal during operation (almost every car has rugs that can be removed from the passenger compartment, in the trunks of many cars the jack is closed with a plastic cover, in some Rolls-Royce models they are hidden in the doors umbrellas). Also, accessories include external hinged-type parts that are installed just for the daily operation of the machine, which perform the following functions: cargo transportation (towbar, skids for securing cargo on the roof of the car body, nets on the headlights), protection and safety of the car (kenguryatnik, fly swab, protection engine crankcase), auxiliary (winch), protection and safety of people sitting on the motorcycle (wind and knee shields, as well as the roll bar),

This name is explained by the fact that a motor vehicle or motor vehicle remains primarily without fluids necessary for its operation, and the containers in which these fluids were located are dried. To denote the non-operational mass of the machine, implying both the absence of liquids and spare parts, the term dry mass was created, taking as a basis only the absence of liquids. This term is mainly used by manufacturers to define the non-operational mass of a machine.

The following weights are:

• curb weight: the weight of the vehicle with fluids and spare parts, but without people and cargo. Although some documents contain instructions to include in the curb weight the weight of the average driver equal to 75 kg. In such a case, it is reasonable to indicate that the curb weight is taking into account the driver.

• gross weight (permissible maximum mass): the weight established by the manufacturer as the maximum permissible in operation mass of the equipped vehicle with cargo and people. Subtracting the curb weight from the permitted maximum mass, we get the carrying capacity. However, in practice, many owners of especially trucks load them more than the maximum permitted weight. This can be observed from category "B" trucks to giant dump trucks. This leads to increased wear of parts and the supporting system of the car, since the very criterion for setting the permissible maximum weight implies a long-term operation of the machine.
• maximum permissible weight: the maximum weight of the equipped vehicle with people and cargo that the structure of the vehicle cannot support.

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.

In the automotive industry and everything that is connected with this area, 2 such basic concepts are used as the curb weight of a car and the gross weight of a car. These two characteristics are those that are sure to be told about in theoretical classes held in an automotive school. Nevertheless, many, even very experienced, drivers do not know or have simply forgotten what lies under this terminology.

What is the curb weight of a car

What is the gross vehicle weight

What is the difference between curb and gross vehicle weight

If you understand the differences between these two concepts, then the point is what exactly is included and summed up in the total mass indicator. Unlike the indicator of the curb weight of a car, the indicator of its total weight also takes into account the weight of the driver, the weight of the passengers of the car, and the mass of those goods that are in it (transported).

It is absolutely natural that people are all different - each person has a different weight. The same applies to the luggage of the car - some drivers can “store” the car so that it cannot move from its place, and some - are more careful and transport goods within reason. In this regard, most often among motorists, such a concept as "permissible gross vehicle weight" is used. Each car has its own highest solvable mark, it all depends on the manufacturing company, the materials used in the production of the car, as well as the structure of the car body and other supporting parts of the car. It is important not to load your own car so that this figure is exceeded. If you do not adhere to this, then gradually during the operation of the car, its body, bridge systems, as well as many other parts that are fixed to the car's suspension will be deformed. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that with the full curb weight of the car - fuel, it will absorb significantly more.