You’ve probably never given much thought about how much your car weighs. Who needs to memorize those numbers? But then you come across a bridge with a weight limit and you aren’t sure if it can support your vehicle. It pays to prepare for such circumstances by knowing about your car’s weight.
A 2022 report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the average car weight was 4,094 pounds. The average small car weighs around 2,600 pounds. On the other end of the spectrum, a large car weighs around 4,400 pounds.
Vehicles come in various body styles. There are cars, SUVs, and trucks that differ in size and, importantly, weight. Here are the average car weights of different vehicle body styles:
Here are the typical vehicle weights of popular car models:
Curb weight can change between model years depending on what the manufacturer changed in the old vehicle, such as the engine or suspension.
There are several sources that can tell you how much your car weighs. Here’s how you can get information about your car’s weight.
Check the owner’s manual that comes with every new vehicle. The document contains pertinent information about your car, including different weight measurements.
Car makers usually put the characteristics of their models online. Visit the website of your vehicle’s manufacturer.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) code is a unique 17-character alphanumeric code that acts as identification for the vehicle. You can usually find the VIN code on the windshield’s underside or the door pillar on the driver’s side.
Once you get the code, enter it in an online VIN decoder. It will pull up the relevant information, including your car’s weight.
Look for a sticker on the windshield beside the door on the driver’s side. The sticker contains several details, including the VIN code and, more importantly, the vehicle’s weight.
A vehicle scale is a weighing scale designed to measure the weight of vehicles. You can find these weight measuring devices at facilities like truck stops and scrap yards.
You might find multiple weight measurements for the same vehicle. Each measurement encompasses certain aspects of the car.
Here are the primary vehicle weight measurements:
Curb weight is the vehicle’s weight with standard equipment and a full fuel tank, but excluding optional equipment, passengers, and cargo. An alternative term for it is empty weight.
Dry weight is a similar but not identical term. It refers to the vehicle’s weight minus automotive fluids, such as coolant, fuel, and oil.
Finally, some manufacturers might cite shipping weight. Like curb weight, this measurement includes fluids. However, it might not cover the weight of a full fuel tank.
GVW is the weight of a loaded (but not a fully loaded) vehicle. It adds the weight of accessories, passengers, and cargo to the curb weight.
Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW, is the car’s curb weight plus passengers, optional or extra equipment, and cargo. This may also be called total weight.
GCW is the combined weight of the vehicle and its attached trailer. It’s very important to know the gross combination weight.
Driving with a high GCW can cause mechanical problems and failures for your vehicle and its trailer. In the worst-case scenario, you or your passengers might get injured.
GCWR is the total weight of the vehicle and its trailer, passengers, and cargo that you can operate on public roads without breaking the law. It’s sometimes called the gross combined weight rating.
Public roads impose legal limits on the GCWR of any vehicle that tows a trailer. You might land in legal hot water if you go past your vehicle’s GCWR and get into an accident that causes injuries or property damage.
It’s the maximum weight that one of the vehicle’s axles can bear without issue. The gross axle weight rating includes additional equipment, fluids, passengers, and cargo.
Depending on the vehicle’s drivetrain, the front and rear axles might have different gross axle weight ratings. Overloading the rating for either axle might lead to issues like damaged axles.
Here are scenarios where knowing the car weight can help you:
Car weight plays a role in ensuring your safety during collisions and other accidents. In general, lighter vehicles are more vulnerable than heavier ones. Therefore, driving more carefully is recommended if you’re in a compact car.
Bridges also have weight limits. Knowing your vehicle’s current GVW or GCW can tell you if it’s safe to cross a bridge.
Many tools have weight ratings. Bottle jacks, car ramps, and floor jacks can only raise and support vehicles up to a certain weight. Therefore, you need to know how heavy your vehicle is and purchase sufficiently strong tools.
Car weight also affects how much fuel the vehicle burns. Generally, lighter vehicles have better fuel economy. Drive as light as possible to save on gas.
Car weight also determines the vehicle’s payload. Heavier vehicles can haul and tow greater loads. Knowing the gross axle weight rating will help prevent you from overloading your vehicle.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.