The vehicle's mass characteristics are the primary criterion for fuel consumption and other indicators, which also affects all kinds of car systems. Basic concepts regarding vehicle masses are usually taught in driving school. However, for many car owners this is a difficult question. In this article we will tell you the difference between gross curb weight and what it is; We will also find out what the payload mass and the maximum permissible mass are.

Interesting fact! The BelAZ 75710 dump truck (Belarus) is considered the vehicle with the largest weight. Its weight is 810 tons and its carrying capacity is 450 tons. In 2014, this vehicle transported a cargo weighing 503.5 tons and thus set a new Guinness Book of Europe and CIS record.

What is the curb weight of the car

The curb weight of the vehicle is the weight of the vehicle, which takes into account the weight of standard equipment (spare wheel, tools), the weight of all operating materials (fuel, coolant, oil, etc.), but does not take into account the weight of 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, means the curb weight of the vehicle.

You can find the figure corresponding to the curb weight of your car in its registration certificate, or among the technical characteristics of the model of your particular 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 necessary condition for the movement of a vehicle, and, therefore, its weight cannot be counted as a payload.

The curb weight is also called the unladen weight, while the gross vehicle weight is considered to be the weight that 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 the gross and curb weights lies in the weight of the driver, passengers and cargo carried by the vehicle.

Let us 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, this is the total actual weight of the unladen vehicle without any consumable fluids.

Payload weight

Now we will talk about such an important technical and basic operational characteristic of vehicles as carrying capacity, in other words, the mass of the payload. This is the total weight of all the cargo (corresponding to the general technical and operational characteristics of the vehicle) that the vehicle transports. By establishing the permissible maximum axle load of the rolling stock per meter of track, the estimated payload weight of the vehicle can be determined.

Conventionally, the carrying capacity can be divided into calculated And nominal. If the calculated one takes into account only the permissible weight that the vehicle can carry, then the nominal one also takes into account the quality of the road. On hard surfaces it can range from 0.5 tons (for passenger cars) to more than 28 tons (for dump trucks).

Did you know? In some types of cars, a certification plate is attached to the door frame, which indicates technical data, including the maximum permissible load on each axle.

Maximum permissible (gross) weight

If we talk about the permissible maximum weight of the vehicle, then this is the weight of the equipped and extremely loaded vehicle, as provided by the developer. The weight of the driver and passengers is also taken into account. Each make and model has its own maximum permissible weight, which depends on the materials used in the production of the car, the body structure and other parts of the car.

Important! It is advisable not to exceed the permissible maximum of this indicator in order to avoid body deformation and problems with the suspension.

The traffic rules also state that the subpermissible maximum weight of a road train means the sum of the maximum permissible weights 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 October 21: for the transportation of divisible goods, the permissible maximum weight of a truck is no more than 40 tons, which applies to public roads.

As you can see, all the concepts are extremely simple and understandable. We hope that all of the above will be useful to you and there will be no confusion.

Functional properties determine what basic need and in what way a particular vehicle satisfies. Personal vehicles serve a dual function. On the one hand, they satisfy the material needs of the population associated with the transportation of passengers and goods. On the other hand, vehicles are classified as cultural goods, as they satisfy the spiritual needs of people in the feeling of high speeds and in sports achievements. The functions of a vehicle as a means of transportation are determined by its passenger capacity, carrying capacity, maneuverability, maneuverability, ability to start in the cold season, and mileage on a full gas tank. Some of these properties are decisive for the social purpose of the vehicle.

If we consider vehicles as sports equipment, then the most important functional properties include their throttle response, the maximum speed that they can develop at a given distance, engine power, and cylinder displacement.

Acceleration response (dynamism)- the ability of a vehicle to accelerate intensively from a standstill. Dynamism refers to complex indicators and depends both on engine power and on the weight of the vehicle and on the ratio of gear ratios in the gearbox. The more power and less weight of the vehicle, the higher the throttle response.

An indicator of throttle response is the acceleration time of a vehicle to a certain speed (motorcycle - up to 60 km/h, car - up to 100 km/h). For domestic cars, the throttle response is 10-14 s, for powerful foreign models - 7 s, for sports cars the throttle response reaches 4 s.

Vehicle response is of great importance in heavy traffic, when you need to quickly overtake the vehicle in front, as well as in off-road conditions, when you have to frequently brake and pick up speed again.

Engine power depends on its displacement and is expressed in horsepower or kW (1 kW = 1.353 hp).

Vehicle curb weight is defined as the weight of a fully fueled (fuel, oil, coolant, etc.) and equipped (spare wheel, tool, etc.) vehicle, but without passengers, the driver and their luggage.

Car designers use every opportunity to reduce vehicle weight. Steel and cast iron parts are replaced with parts made of aluminum and magnesium alloys, titanium, and plastics, solid parts - tubular and hollow.

A sharp reduction in the weight of the cars occurred after they were reconfigured as front-wheel drive, since they lack a heavy rear axle and cardan drive.

Gross vehicle weight consists of curb weight, cargo weight, driver and passengers and their luggage. The estimated weight of one passenger is 70 kg, and the estimated weight of luggage per passenger is 10 kg.

Patency. Cross-country ability refers to the suitability of a vehicle for driving on roads without a hard surface, as well as in various weather conditions.

The vehicle's cross-country ability depends on engine power, ground clearance, wheel base and width, number of drive wheels, tread width and tread depth. A significant increase in the vehicle's cross-country ability is achieved if it has driving not only the rear, but also the front wheels. When driving in difficult road conditions (mud, sand), the driver can apply torque from the gearbox not only to the rear, but also to the front wheels.

Vehicle ground clearance. Ground clearance (clearance) is determined by the height of the lowest point of the vehicle to the road surface. Ground clearance characterizes the ability of a vehicle to move over various obstacles: rails, logs, etc.

The base of a vehicle is usually understood as the distance between the centers of the axles of its wheels in millimeters. The shorter it is, the higher the vehicle’s cross-country ability, but the lower the stability on the road, especially for bicycles and motorcycles.

The diameter of the wheels determines their ability to go around small irregularities on the road surface, thereby reducing vibration of the chassis.

The width of the tire tread determines the cross-country ability in sand and mud. The wider the tires, the larger the support area, the less pressure on each square centimeter of the support area, the higher the cross-country ability on soft road surfaces.

The depth of the tread pattern determines better traction with the ground, so the greater it is, the higher the cross-country ability.

Possibility of achieving the maximum permissible speed depends both on engine power and on the overall gear ratio in the highest (usually 4th and 5th) gear. According to traffic rules, in populated areas the speed should not exceed 60 km/h, and often 40 km/h; on most country roads the speed limit is 80-90 km/h and only on a few express roads - 110 km/h. Modern personal cars allow you to reach speeds of more than 160 km/h. This property of the car is very important for overtaking at high speeds and over short distances.

It should be noted that the vehicle's speed decreases if its tires are wide and have deep tread.

Maneuverability- the ability of the vehicle to turn around in bottlenecks. This indicator is especially important when entering a parking lot between closely parked cars, when entering a garage, or on sharp turns. An indicator of maneuverability is the radius of the sharpest turn (in m) that a car can make. For passenger cars, the turning radius is 5-6 m, and the smaller it is, the more maneuverable the car.

Fuel consumption per 100 km path characterizes efficiency and depends on the design and quality of manufacture of the engine and chassis of the vehicle. In domestic motor vehicles, fuel consumption per 100 km ranges from 2 liters for mopeds to 8~10 liters for heavy motorcycles; for passenger cars, fuel consumption ranges from 4 to 16 liters. It is necessary to distinguish between the control fuel consumption, which is indicated in vehicle passports, and operational fuel consumption. The control consumption is determined when driving on a flat road at a speed of 60 km/h. Operating consumption is usually 10-15% higher than the reference one.

Mileage on a full gas tank depends on the tank capacity and operating fuel consumption per 100 km. The gas tank capacity of modern cars is 30-50 liters, which, with an operating fuel consumption of 8-10 liters per 100 km, is enough for a range of 300-600 km.

Braking distances- this is the distance in meters covered by the vehicle from the moment it starts braking at a specified speed until it comes to a complete stop.

Freight transport can damage the roadway and is a source of increased danger to other vehicles. Especially for such vehicles in Russia, there are special rules governing the permissible maximum weight of a truck and permissible overload. In case of violation, penalties will be imposed on the culprit.

Legislation and general provisions

Heavy vehicles place a serious burden on the road surface. To minimize its damage and ensure road safety, restrictions on the maximum weight of a truck were developed and liability was introduced for violating them.

In the Russian Federation, these standards are given in Federal Law No. 257 and Government Decree No. 272. The State Traffic Inspectorate is responsible for monitoring compliance with the standards.

Truck drivers should pay attention to the following points:

• The rules apply exclusively on public roads of territorial or federal significance.
• Overloaded vehicles should only be driven on special roads.
• If the roadway is not able to withstand the load established by law, its owner has the right to set his own restrictions.
• Before reducing the maximum permissible vehicle weight restrictions, a survey of the condition of the road surface must be carried out.
• On highways with restrictions for heavy vehicles, road signs should be installed to warn drivers about this.
• Axle load standards depend on the vehicle operating instructions.

Maximum dimensions of cargo vehicles

The maximum permitted parameters for heavy-duty transport are established in the agreement of the CIS countries. According to him:

• The length of a car, trailer and bus should not exceed 12 m; for an articulated bus this parameter is 18 m, and for a road train - 20 m. Lifting platforms, steps, windshield wipers, and mirrors are not taken into account when calculating the length.
• The width of any vehicle is less than 2.55 m. This does not include lighting fixtures, stairs and steps, platforms, mirrors, tire pressure indicators.
• The permitted height is 4 m, including the body or container.

Maximum permissible weight for cargo transport

The maximum weight of a truck is otherwise called the gross weight and is the sum of the weight of the truck itself and the cargo.

All heavy vehicles are divided into three categories:

• small-tonnage;
• medium-tonnage;
• large-capacity.

To the small-tonnage class These include small trucks, including the Gazelle, in which the cab and body are located on the same supporting frame. They are used, as a rule, in trade to transport small goods over relatively short distances. The weight of such trucks is no more than 3.5 tons, and the load capacity, depending on the model, is from 0.5 to 2.5 tons.

They weigh more than 12 tons and are used for transporting very heavy and bulky cargo. They are often included in fifth-wheel and trailed road trains.

In addition to the maximum permissible weight of the transported cargo, another parameter is important for checking for overload - axial load. Since the design of the vehicles includes a cargo compartment at the rear, the main weight of the cargo falls on the rear axle.

The permissible weight of heavy vehicles is given in Appendix 1, and the permitted axle loads are given in Appendix 2 to Government Decree No. 272. For example, according to this Appendix, a semi-trailer train with five axles can weigh no more than 40 tons, and a three-axle vehicle can weigh no more than 24 tons.

To drive a vehicle with a gross weight of more than 44 tons, you need to obtain a special permit, which indicates the route, departure and arrival times. For a car weighing 80 tons including cargo, the route is drawn up by traffic inspectors.

To avoid penalties for axle overload, you can use a special permit

In order not to pay a fine for overloading, you need to calculate the total weight of the car and the axle load. These two quantities are related by the following relationship: the total mass is equal to the sum of the loads on each of the axles. Moreover, in a two-axle car, the load on the front axle is three times less than on the rear. For trailers, it is distributed evenly on each axle. The obtained values ​​must be compared with the table from Appendix 2 to Government Decree No. 272.

According to Federal Law, overload can be no more than 2% of the permissible value.

In case of overload, administrative liability is imposed on the culprit in accordance with Article 12.21.1 of the Administrative Code. Individual entrepreneurs bear the same responsibility as legal entities.

Fines for exceeding the permissible weight of a truck are imposed on the driver, the official responsible for transportation, the legal entity and the owner of the vehicle. In case of overload of more than 50%, the driver is deprived of his license for up to 6 months.

In addition to overload, fines are imposed in the following cases:

• deviations from the route sheet;
• providing false information about the weight of the cargo;
• lack of permission to transport large cargo;
• Exceeding the standard dimensions of the vehicle by 10 cm.

If you try to find out the weight of your car, you will realize that there are several indicators of this criterion. There is net, loaded and gross weight. 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 engine oil, 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 and a full tank of fuel, but does not take into account the maximum weight of cargo and passengers. The total weight, in turn, takes into account the curb weight with the potential weight of the permissible number of passengers and cargo.

It is understood that gross weight is hypothetical and may vary depending on the weight of passengers. And we rarely carry a full trunk of cargo. Therefore, this indicator is hypothetical and not very accurate. It is rarely useful. The net weight of a car 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 vehicle curb weight measurements

Each country may have its own formula for determining the curb weight of a vehicle. This is the criterion that is taken into account when vehicles are allowed onto a bridge or dam, so it is extremely important to obtain accurate data to prevent overloading. In Europe, 75 kilograms are added to the curb weight of the 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, also in one of the GOST clauses related to the operation of automobiles, the following features are provided:

• 75 kilograms are added to the curb weight of the car - the weight of the driver, as a necessary element of the car's travel;
• a long-distance bus or truck, if there is room for a crew member, adds another 75 kilograms to the weight of the vehicle;
• the weight of the necessary tool that is present in the car or bus is also taken into account;
• at least 90% of the weight of the vehicle’s full fuel tank is added to the curb weight of the vehicle;
• The 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 individual determination of curb weight. For trucks, this point is extremely important, since at weighing points with a deduction of curb weight, you can check the weight of luggage, the permissible maximum weight of the vehicle, and so on. Therefore, in individual cases, inspection services can apply formulas to calculate 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 why they need to know the curb or any other weight of the car.

Why is it necessary to know the curb weight of a car?

There are many situations in which you may need information about your vehicle's curb weight. First of all, it's towing. Each car has a maximum towed load limit. If you ask to tow a car that technically cannot pull your car, you will have to deal with various problems later. You should remember about the curb weight of the car in those situations when you drive through dangerous places, local bridges over small rivers. Some of these places even have warnings with vehicle weight restrictions. Therefore, you should always follow these rules:

• when purchasing a car, you should immediately find out its curb weight, which is indicated by the manufacturer;
• you need to find out the formula by which the curb weight was calculated and remember the figure;
• if necessary, you can estimate the weight of the car by adding the weight of the people in the car to the mass value;
• also do not forget about situational luggage that is not included in the curb weight of your car;
• There is no need to 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 for the car owner to know the curb weight. This is one of the important points of technical characteristics, which takes into account all the subtleties, which sometimes add up to 500 kilograms. You will never calculate the optimal weight of a car if you only know the net weight. But find out whether the driver's weight factor was involved in calculating the curb weight for your car. This can be clarified with the official dealer or on the manufacturer’s website in the technical support of the owners.

We buy tires and wheels - another use of curb weight

When you buy new wheels for a car, there is a risk of problems if the weight of the car does not match the capabilities of the wheels. In this case, any bump will turn into a metal destroyer, steel wheels will bend, and cast wheels will crack. It is also important to keep the weight of the car in mind when choosing tires. If you do not take into account the tire load index, the most unpleasant consequences can occur. Among the common problems caused by the discrepancy between the weight of the car and the tire load index are the following:

• destruction of the rubber cord and blowing out various irregularities on the side surface or working part of the tire;
• the fastest wear of the tread and uneven wear of the working layer of rubber due to too much pressure;
• inability to properly inflate the wheels in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• lack of normal vehicle control, as the tires change the trajectory of the car;
• decreased safety of vehicle operation for a number of reasons;
• a very bad effect is not the braking distance - a decrease in rubber resistance during braking;
• poor rolling 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 purchasing tires or wheels. This once again proves that the weight of the car is quite important for the normal operation of the vehicle. It is worth recording the curb weight of the car and dividing this value by four to choose the optimal tires or wheels. After all, manufacturers indicate the maximum weight per tire in kilograms that one tire can withstand. To take a break from technical discussions, we invite you to watch a very fascinating video about one of the most unique cars in the world:

Let's sum it up

All technical characteristics of the car are very important during the operation of the car, so you should not throw away the papers given to you at the dealership when purchasing the car as soon as the warranty 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, what are the best consumables to buy, how much oil to fill, and so on. And in this regard, the curb weight remains a fairly important criterion, which allows for high-quality maintenance of machines and the purchase of consumables and materials.

If you do not know the curb weight of the car, you should always understand where it can be found. To do this, you need to keep at hand (in the bookmarks of your Internet browser on your mobile phone, for example) a website with a complete description of the technical characteristics of various cars. In such a catalog you will find the necessary data on curb and total weight, and in any situation you will be able to obtain information about which parts are best for you to buy. Do you know what the curb weight of your car is?

In the automotive industry and everything connected with this area, two basic concepts are used: curb weight of the car and gross weight of the car. These two characteristics are those that are necessarily discussed during theoretical classes held at a driving school. However, many, even very experienced, drivers do not know or have simply forgotten what lies behind this terminology.

What is the curb weight of the car

The curb weight of the vehicle is the total, i.e. the total weight of the vehicle with a set of standard equipment, all its operational consumables that are necessary (for example, coolant and engine oil), a fully filled tank with automobile fuel, the weight of the driver, but without the weight of cargo and the weight of passengers.

What is the gross vehicle weight?

The gross vehicle weight, or, as it is also called, the gross permissible weight, is the weight of the vehicle, which is the maximum permissible and includes: the weight of the driver, the weight of the passengers, the weight of the entire equipped vehicle, as well as the weight of the cargo carried by the vehicle.

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 overall 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 weight of the cargo that is located (transported) in it.

It is absolutely natural that people are all different - each person has a different weight. The same applies to car luggage - some drivers can “pack the car” so that it cannot move, while some drivers treat it more carefully and transport cargo within reason.

In this regard, the concept most often used among motorists is “permissible gross vehicle weight”. Each car has its own highest permissible mark, it all depends on the manufacturing company, the materials that were used in the production process of the car, as well as the structure of the car body and other load-bearing parts of the car.

It is important not to load your own car so much that this figure is exceeded. If you do not adhere to this, then gradually during the operation of the car its body, axle systems, as well as many other parts that are attached to the car’s suspension will be deformed.

It is also necessary to take into account that with the vehicle’s full curb weight, it will absorb significantly more fuel.