What Is Kerb Weight VS Gross Weight In Vehicles

When we look into the Owner’s manual of any vehicle in any segment (I know many of us rarely do) we will be confused to see 2 different weights of the same car. These weights will be under the names of Curb (Kerb) weight and Gross weight. Now, this might not be the most important parameter of the car but it is not something we can ignore as well. Well, then what is the difference between Curb weight vs Gross weight in vehicles.

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Kerb Weight Meaning

The curb weight of your car is the weight of the vehicle minus the passengers, luggage and accessories. What remains is the standard fitment that it comes with from the manufacturer. This includes a full tank of fuel and is measured when the vehicle is not being used and resting on the curb(flat surface). This is usually the standard weight that a manufacturer assigns to the vehicle.

Kerb Weight = Vehicle weight + Essential fluids + Full fuel tank

What are the Different Types of Kerb Weight?

There are several different kerb weight measurements that manufacturers use. 

DIN Kerb Weight

DIN is an acronym for Deutsches Institut für Normung, meaning German Institute for Standardisation. This is the most common measurement used by manufacturers when specifying a car’s weight. A DIN kerb weight comprises of the following:

Car weight in standard form (this excludes any optional extras) + Fluids necessary for operation (coolant, brake fluid, power-steering fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid) + Fuel tank at 90% full – a larger fuel tank will mean more weight

EU Kerb Weight

DIN Kerb Weight + 75kg to approximate the weight of a driver and luggage

This figure is used by EU auto manufacturers and is the weight used when undergoing emissions testing procedures.

Dry Kerb Weight

Car weight in standard form excluding fluids

This measurement is used by some manufacturers to make their vehicles seem lighter than they really are. There is no hard and fast rule here as some dry kerb weight figures may include some fluids but not others. It is also largely a marketing exercise as the vehicle is not drivable without fluids.

What a Car’s Kerb Weight doesn’t Include?

DIN Kerb Weight does not include:

• Driver weight
• Passenger weight
• 10% of the total fuel capacity
• Luggage
• Any optional extras

The DIN kerb weight includes the standard car’s weight and fluids required for it to function, but it also excludes certain things that will most definitely be required in the real world.

The most obvious of these is the driver. Luggage is also unaccounted for in the DIN kerb weight, although the EU kerb weight does allocate an additional 75kg over the DIN figure to account for both driver and luggage.

In reality, the average adult UK male weighs 78kg (females are 69kg) and a weekend’s worth of luggage for two people could easily top 30kg. That could mean up to an additional 177kg over the DIN kerb figure.

Neither the DIN nor EU kerb weight measurement includes any optional extras, some of which can make a noticeable impact on the car’s weight. Start ticking boxes like larger wheels, a panoramic sunroof, that awesome 20-speaker premium sound system with subwoofer, a tow bar and an automatic transmission and you can quickly add up to 100kg to a base car’s weight.

You buy a hatchback with a DIN Kerb weight of 950kg. This comprises:

Yet the real-world weight of the same car when setting off for a road trip to Goa can be significantly higher, crossing the 1200kg mark:

Importance of Kerb Weight

Knowing the kerb weight of your car is important for:

• Fuel Efficiency: A heavier car drinks more fuel, like a storyteller who needs another cup of chai to keep the tales flowing. Understanding your car’s weight is understanding its appetite on the road.
• Handling and Performance: Weight changes everything. A heavier car may steady your ride, but it reshapes how the road feels beneath your hands. It’s the difference between a light dance and a measured march.
• Safety and Regulations: The weight of your car decides more than its road presence. It is tied to laws, fees, and emissions..

Gross Weight Meaning

The gross weight of a vehicle is the total weight of all passengers, accessories, luggage, and additional load like trailers etc. This is particularly important to note for people who cross bridges or flyovers that have a maximum weight limit and also important for people who are curious to know how much load their vehicle can actually withstand.

Gross Weight: Vehicle’s Kerb Weight + Passengers + Luggage.

Importance of Gross Weight

Understanding gross weight is crucial for various reasons:

• Load Capacity: Gross weight helps determine how much additional weight a vehicle can safely carry. This includes the weight of passengers, cargo, and any additional accessories.
• Safety Compliance: Vehicles must adhere to weight limits for safe operation. Overloading a vehicle can lead to mechanical issues, safety hazards, and legal consequences.
• Performance and Wear: Excessive weight can impact vehicle performance, fuel efficiency, and accelerate wear and tear on components.

Difference between Curb (Kerb) Weight vs Gross Weight?

The difference between them is the Payload capacity of your car. When you subtract the curb weight from the gross weight, what you get is the weight of objects that your vehicle can transport\pull. This Payload includes your passengers, weight of accessories including your alloy wheels, infotainment system, spoilers etc. and also the luggage you carry. For an average person, this influences your fuel efficiency, driving manners, wear and tear of parts (although not by much, it does matter) and for others, especially truck drivers, it keeps a check on how much load the vehicle can haul.

Vehicle’s Loading Capacity: Gross Weight – Kerb Weight

Practical Implications of Knowing the Difference Between Kerb Weight Vs Gross Weight for Vehicle Owners

• Fuel Efficiency: Heavier loads generally lead to lower fuel efficiency. Understanding your vehicle’s curb weight and payload capacity helps manage and optimize fuel consumption.
• Driving Dynamics: The weight of your vehicle, including additional cargo, affects driving dynamics. Heavier vehicles may have different handling characteristics compared to lighter ones.
• Regulatory Compliance: For commercial vehicles, adhering to weight limits is crucial to avoid fines and ensure safety.

The Regulatory Aspect in India

India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) speaks in weights and measures, drawing strict lines to make safety meet sustainability. 

• Overloading Fines: Think twice before testing your vehicle’s strength beyond its limits. The Motor Vehicles Act fines heavily those who choose to ignore gross weight boundaries. Overloading fines start at ₹20,000 for the first excess ton and ₹2,000 for each additional ton.
• Axle Load Norms: Commercial vehicles carry not just cargo but the responsibility of balance. Axle load limits aren’t suggestions; they’re safeguards. In 2018, MoRTH raised axle load limits by 20–25%, aligning with global norms.
  • Single Axle, Single Tyre: 7.5 tonnes
  • Single Axle, Two Tyres: 10.2 tonnes
  • Tandem Axle: Up to 19 tonnes
  • Tri-Axle: 27+ tonnes, based on type

Conclusion

Curb weight and gross weight are two quiet truths about your car, often overlooked but always present. The curb weight conveys the car’s bare self, stripped of passengers, cargo, and life’s clutter. Gross weight shows what the car can carry when the world piles on.

Together, they draw the boundaries. They tell you how far you can push, how much you can pull. Safety leans on them. Efficiency nods to them. The manual in your glovebox awaits your curious hands. Respect these numbers, they are the true guides of your journey.

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