Did you know that you may want to take your weight into consideration when buying a car? I didn't!
But while strolling through a car dealership the other day and talking to a salesperson, I inadvertently learned about how my weight and my car could be connected - and why I should consider the weight of my entire family or the regular passengers in the car, totaled together, as a factor when buying a car or van.
I was at the dealership to see what was on the market, compare prices and do some preliminary research on cars. When I commented on how one car looked as though it might not easily accomodate a person over 6 feet tall, the salesman actually noted, "Maybe not and you know you have to be careful about maximum weight, too".
Huh? Maximum weight? That is when I discovered that there are government warning labels on cars, ones that list the maximum weight the car or van can hold. More importantly, many cars aren't really safe for the people who buy them, especially if they are overweight.
Why? Because the government labels use a weight of 150 pounds per passenger to come up with the maximum weight limits per car. Exceeding those limits can overtax your tires and shorten the life of the car - or even your own life!
What does this mean for the car buyer? Exactly this: for an average two-seat sports car, the labels saay that the tires aren't designed to handle more than 300 pounds (the reality is that there may be a bit of extra weight the car can handle, according to the salesperson I spoke with but he admtted that the tires had limits and that passenger weight was a factor). Also, consider the fact that some people put a lot in their trunk, including heavy objects and such things as weights or other heavy metallic objects. Who thinks about how this might impact their tires and their car's lifespan? I have to admit it wasn't really on my mind.
Think about this: if one person weighs 200 pounds and the other weighs 150, then there is a risk of overloading the tires, shortening the life span of the car and possibly the danger of tire faillure. The danger of overloading may be very real. The labels came about in part because of a Firestone tire recall where overloading may have played a part in causing problems. Tire failure was one of them.
If you are wondering where to find the weight limits for a particular vehicle, look on the driver's side door. That is where I was told most of them are located.
I came home, did some research and thought about these things:
1 . The average weight for American men and women is generally above 150. Just think of the adults in your family and then add the weights of the kids. You may exceed the maximum weight limits for a particular vehicle (we did). This leads me to wonder if 150 pounds is a realistic figure to use for both men and women. How many men actually weigh 150? How many of their wives or girlfriends or other partners weigh that much or more? At Weight Watchers, I was told the "average" weight for women in this country was over 160 pounds so I can't help feeling the figures on the federal guidelines are on the low side.
2. Many 5 passenger vehicles "max out" at about 850 pounds, so they allow a bit more weight per person, about 170 pounds per person. But just one seriously overweight person or some heavy equipment in the trunk can exceed safety limiits.
3. I want to be clear that I am not focusing on weight loss nor am I discriminating against people who weigh more than 150 pounds. I am simply pointing out the facts and these point to the conclusion that federal standards may be too low.
Finally, shouldn't our cars be designed to hold the weight of those who drive them? Perhaps it would be optimum if people weighed less, on average, and obesity wasn't on the rise in this country but the reality is that people often exceed those 150 pounds per passenger limits. Just look around at your friends, family, neighbors and you'll see the truth before your eyes.
In any case, think about your usual car's passengers, their weight and safety next time you visit the car dealership in search of the new or used vehicle. While you are at it, you might consider writing to the automakers and asking why cars aren't being designed to hold larger passengers!
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Comments: 64
Blessings
Due to obesity on the rise maybe they should think about changing the average
weight capacity to 200 per person, just to be on the safe side.
Just a thought.
I did know that vehicle seat belts have a maximum weight limit of 200-215 pounds.
Think about the average man with a recommended weight of 190 pounds. Now how many of those average men are 10... 15... 20 pounds overweight? Doesn't take much to reach that limit and at that limit your seat belt is no longer going to protect you... it will just snap.
I truly had wondered if I was supposed to know this information but did not. After I wrote it, late last night I talk to friends and neighbors and only one knew of the weight limits, leading me to believe that either car salesmen don't mention it or buyers don't hear them. Somehow I'm leading towards the position that it is not mentioned...but that is just my take.
Sue - It is a feature? I'll have to go look. Yay!
It's inane to assume that the average man weighs 150 pounds. My husband is THIN and weighs 165. Good grief, car manufacturers!
usually when my sister, my niece and I am in the small car that my niece drives. It seems to lag and drag..
we average about 200 lbs among us..
I often think that I should get out and push! May I should?
again.. thank you!
When I weighed 150-165, @5'10", my mom said I looked cadaverous. I dunno, my ribs were pretty prominent. I do weigh a bit more than that now. :) It's another reason that quitting smoking tobacco is bad for you.
I guess that I am glad that I don't have to worry about it, because I am no where near 150.
Actually, I SHOULD have known. It does make sense that cars would have weight limits and that the wheels would support only so much weight but I didn't even think about it. Then I read about the recall on those cars and started investigating..
I honestly don't know how realistic the weight limits are, how strong tires are, how much a particular car can hold or even if the labels for maximum weight are accurate on each vehicle out there. That is where I get confused.
But I think it is worth some consideration. Cars are a major purchase and safety is important.
The interesting information you come up with. I shall be placing a scale next to my vehicle from here on out. 150 max. All others shall be walking or taking public transportation. Sorry :=/
I'm just joking, of course, but people don't know about this -- you know they don't. Thanks for being a watchdog . . .er . . .watchraccoon for the consumer.
Well we have a two set converable t-bird. I weight 123 ponds & my hubby well lets just say we only have 300 pounds for are limit. We also have a five seats for our Honda SUV with including our dog weight since she goes with us a lot. Thanks again. wonderful- inforative article & I thank you for that.
God Bless you & your's always 10*
dee-dee
Scary, though, if you're on the large side.
Safe Sex and Home Repair
Speaking of height, I read in the comments about people having trouble finding cars due to height... Let's not forget those of us who are so short that the seatbelt is cutting us off at the neck, and the fact that airbags are harmful to us short peeps due to having to sit so close to the steering wheel...
a vehicle young lady. It was very interesting. I
do not own a vehicle.
Years ago when I wasn't heavy in the 1970's I drove two ladies to the CETA program. We split the gas cost three ways. One day because of snowy roads I could not get up a hill. I tried three times and we slid backwards. On the fourth shot I asked one of the ladies who was as heavy as I am now to sit in the back of my station wagon, behind the back seat. She was insulted but we made it to CETA and we later laughed about it. I couldn't figure out any other way to get up the hill. :)
Yes, the average weight of people in the U.S. is rising.
Yes, there are maximum weight restrictions on most, if not all, vehicles, including but not limited to, cars, trucks, suvs, boats, atvs, motorhomes, etc.
The problem that the manufacturers have with building their vehicles to take on additional weight is that to do so requires more materials: more steel, more plastic, more weight from more airbags, to make them sturdier, still get better gas mileage, and safer.
The weight of the occupants IS considered, as is the weight of the fuel, the packages we carry in the back, the oil, the brake fluid, the weight of the wiring, etc.
(Yes they continuously consider that the population weight changes, yet they fudge the numbers for the government's approval just as they fudge the numbers of the actual fuel economy. This statement is my own belief.)
Then they have to abide by the continually-changing government standards to provide for better fuel economy. That means that the vehicle has to weigh less to get a greater mpg rating.
A vehicle that weighs less is considered generally less safe. Think of the difference between a little Opal GT (or Toyota Corolla or Honda Accord for the younger generation) and a huge Cadillac. Chances are, if you are in the same circumstances of a collision with the same opposing car, the Opal or the other, smaller car will end up being the worse for wear than the Cadillac. In other words, it is not as safe. Neither may be the occupants.
Therin lies the quandary: weight v fuel economy v safety.
It's a balancing act that all of the manufactures have danced for years.
My 'vette only holds two passengers and does a top speed of 160 mph, this has nothing to do with the article , it just feels good to know it does 160 :>)
:)
I'm such a wuss about that stuff that I'd be screaming if I was in a car going 160. But my mother, 94, did accidentally get the car up to 100 once. She never drove that fast till she'd reached 85 and then I guess she figured "What the heck - I can take some risks now since I've lived this long". I just wished she remembered that her passengers weren't all as old as she was and our nervous systems were still in full gear. Whew!
I like your mother already. I love the feel of a vette, too, when it take off like that. It's like a roller coaster ride. We thought we were in trouble one time, when the California Highway Patrol pulled up to us, we slowed to the speed. The CHP got on his speaker and moved parallel to us in the left lane (immediately next to us) and said on the speaker:
"No. Don't slow down. I just wanted to know if I could trade cars."
Pretty cool, huh? I love our CHP. Despite that, they are the ultimate professionals,
(and we weren't going that fast), that time!
I think that this points a nasty finger at the automobile manufacturers.
Just another example of how all manufacturers try to make their cars as CHEAP as they can without any consideration to reality...
Right ON!
Jane:
Tell your mother she is my kind of gal and I want to be just like her when I grow up!
Tell her she is my American Idol!
Anyway, the other problems I have with cars and size are because I am over six feet tall. Big and tall - there is a condition that exists in men, but less so in women (and it is less acceptable with women, who are supposed to be feminine, submissive, frail, etc). I have only been able to afford "whales" that are beaters, which were almost comfy, to tiny japanese cars that definitely don't like all of my weight in the car.
Anyway, can you imagine how many people own SUV's in this country simply because they are bigger? Some own them because they want power, status, etc. Others buy them because they crave (and feel like they) deserve comfort, because after all, you've paid a lot of money for a vehicle, why shouldn't you be comfy?
I'm disabled which makes driving painful, and problematic. And, like my Grandmother "Bee Briggs" above, I don't have a car of my own, so I'm at the mercy of the kind folks who offer me rides from place to place.
Blah, I have no point, but I wanted to share what it is like to be big and tall and disabled and behind the wheel or passenger's side of a teeny car. I'm all for economically friendly, but I also want to say that when I go to buy a car again, I am definitely going to opt for comfort first and foremost, and not worry too much about how much gas the car will consume.
And, I'm looking forward to the day when we can all afford to buy alternative energy cars - so government, big brother, car manufacturers, step to it! Stop with the lip service and help us all save the world by creating an accessible product - we have technology, all we need is the funding. Lord knows the oil business could fund this project, or sponsor it. Right? It would help keep their businesses "sustainable" as compared to where they are at now. Oil is going to run out someday.
Oh my, no more ranting and raving from me. It seemed rather random, but I promise, I was trying to make some kind of statement(s) here!
Congratulations on being featured on Gather's home page.
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