How Much Does A Car Weigh?

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.

How Much Does the Average Car Weigh?

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.

How Much Would a Car Weigh According to Body Style

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:

• Subcompact Cars: 2,510 lbs
• Small Cars: 3,000 lbs
• Midsize Cars: 3,300 lbs
• Large Cars: 3,800 lbs
• Subcompact SUV: 3,100 lbs
• Small SUVs: 3,400 lbs
• Midsize SUVs: 4,200 lbs
• Large SUVs: 5,650 lbs

Typical Vehicle Weights Based on Car Models

Here are the typical vehicle weights of popular car models:

• Ford F-Series: 4,705 lbs
• Ford Mustang: 3,520–3,800 lbs
• Honda Accord: 3,131–3,428 lbs
• Jeep Cherokee: 4,250 lbs
• Nissan Rogue: 3,569 lbs
• RAM 1500 Tradesman: 4,778-5,106 lbs
• Subaru Outback: 3,657 lbs
• Toyota Highlander: 4,370 lbs

Curb weight can change between model years depending on what the manufacturer changed in the old vehicle, such as the engine or suspension.

Where Can You Find the Car Weight?

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.

Owner’s Manual

Check the owner’s manual that comes with every new vehicle. The document contains pertinent information about your car, including different weight measurements.

Manufacturer’s Website

Car makers usually put the characteristics of their models online. Visit the website of your vehicle’s manufacturer.

Use a VIN Decoder

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.

Information Sticker

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.

Vehicle Scales

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.

Vehicle Weight Measurements

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

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.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)

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.

Gross Combination Weight (GCW)

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.

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)

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.

Gross Axle Weight Rating

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.

Importance of Knowing the Car Weight

Here are scenarios where knowing the car weight can help you:

Road Safety

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.

Maintenance

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.

Fuel Economy

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.

Payload

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.