What does the total mass of a vehicle mean?
2 Answers
The total mass of a vehicle refers to the weight when the vehicle is fully equipped and loaded with passengers and cargo as specified, while the curb weight is what people commonly call the self-weight of a car. Here are some related extended materials: 1. For passenger cars, the total mass of the vehicle = curb weight + driver and passenger mass + luggage mass. For buses, the total mass of the vehicle = curb weight + driver and passenger mass + luggage mass + accessory mass. 2. For trucks, the total mass of the vehicle = curb weight + driver and assistant mass + luggage mass. 3. The curb weight of a car is also an important parameter affecting fuel consumption, because the fuel consumption of a vehicle is directly proportional to its curb weight. The heavier the curb weight, the more fuel the car consumes.
I've been driving for twenty years. Gross vehicle weight, simply put, is the total weight of the entire vehicle plus everything in it, such as the vehicle itself, the driver, passengers, and luggage. Overloading can cause serious problems: braking distance increases, and the vehicle is more prone to rollover or loss of control during high-speed turns. I've personally witnessed many accidents caused by overloading, especially on rainy days when the road is slippery—the danger multiplies. There are often traffic checkpoints on the road that measure weight, and if caught exceeding the limit, the fines are hefty. The law strictly sets weight limits to prevent risks. Beyond safety, excessive weight accelerates wear on tires and braking systems, leading to higher maintenance costs, which can be a headache. Before trips, I always roughly calculate the weight of people and cargo to ensure I don't exceed the limit—it's a good habit that protects safety, saves money, and avoids trouble.
