There are many important characteristics to consider when buying a car. First, there’s speed or horsepower, which should always correlate with your needs. Then there’s the payload that always excites people who like to go on long trips. And above all, technological capabilities because some people like monitors in the back of their seats, or enjoy driving hybrids and electric cars.
However, one particular parameter is always glossed over - the weight. Most consumers don’t think it’s all that important, and most of the time, they’re right. More popular car models have quite an average weight, which shouldn’t matter much, especially if you drive around the city and from home to work.
But car weight is crucial, and knowing the whys can bring various benefits to the driver, even when talking about something as compact as a smart car.
Average Weight Of Smart Car
As we mentioned, smart cars are tiny and compact vehicles that promote efficiency, especially in available space. Precisely because of that, these autos sparked much debate in 1998 after their introduction. There were concerns over safety as something so small could easily fold in half in an accident.
But as the years passed, traffic regulations became strict with multiple ways to reinforce them, while the cars were outfitted with various technologies (Cruise Control, ESC). Today weight doesn’t affect safety negatively, so you shouldn’t worry too much.
So, how much does a regular smart car weigh? Well, usually, it’s somewhere around 1,500 pounds without the driver, but the poundage varies between versions. As you can imagine, these vehicles are incredibly light and, thus, feel different on the road. But why is it so important to know how much your automobile weighs?
Benefits of Knowing Car Weight
Knowing your car’s weight brings about various benefits, which include and are not limited to:
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Each state has different Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings, or GVWRs; you can never go above them.
- Auto Safety. When it comes to accidents, knowing your car’s weight becomes crucial as compact vehicles are at a bigger disadvantage than others. A very recent statistic suggested that for every 1,000-pound drawback, the fatality rate is over 40%. Plus, all bridges have weight limits, and knowing the poundage can help you keep peace of mind.
- Routine Maintenance. Everyone who prefers to do things DIY-style must pick the right tools for the job. Tools also have their weight limits, so you can’t go through with the maintenance until you know the weight.
- Fuel Economy. Every 100 pounds reduced in a car's weight increases the fuel economy by 1%-2%, which means more money saved on gas.
- Payload. Like bridges or tools, cars also have limits and can suffer from excessive wear and damage if the payload is too high. Knowing your vehicle’s weight can prevent that from happening.
How Can I Learn My Vehicle’s Weight?
Knowing your car’s poundage is quite essential, so you should know how to learn this important information. The general car weight guide is not an excellent source for that, so you can try to do a couple of things.
Your car manual should have a specification section where the curb weight, vehicle’s poundage without passengers or cargo, is given. Alternatively, you could check the driver’s side door and find a sticker that usually contains the GVWR and curb weight.
If none of that works, navigate to the manufacturer’s website and find your model and specifications. But if even that doesn’t solve your problem, have your automobile weighed at an inspection center or a junkyard.
Summary
Even though smart cars are incredibly light, knowing how much your vehicle weighs is crucial. This parameter affects fuel economy, maintenance, auto safety, maximum payload, GVWR, and your maintenance routine. This proves that knowing your vehicle’s weight is quite useful.
So, if all that motivated you to seek out information about your vehicle’s weight, by all means, do so. Use the advice we gave you, and you should have no trouble in doing exactly that.
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