La Grange Area Toyota Scion Service Explains Weight and Measurements

Nov 24, 2014

When you are shopping for a car or researching it online, you will be inundated with various measurements, weights, and capacities. What does all of it mean, and how do they affect the regular consumer? The truth is, the capacities can mean a great deal to you, especially if you need to accommodate specific needs and driving conditions. La Grange area Toyota Scion service defines car weights and measurements.

Snapshot of Car Specs

We have compiled a list of the most common terms you will likely see.

Cargo capacity

How much room you have in your vehicle for passengers and cargo when all of the seats are in place.

Torque

This is the twisting force of the engine. When you press the accelerator, the thrust you feel when your body goes back into the seat is the result of torque. The lower the torque, the less you will feel the force.

Width

The measurement of the widest parts of the vehicle: very tip of the driver-side mirror to the tip of the passenger-side mirror.

Height

The measurement of the lowest part of the vehicle, the bottom of the tires, to the highest part of the vehicle, which is the top of the vehicle.

Wheel base

Measurement from the center of the front wheel to the center of the wheel directly behind it.

GTW

Gross trailer weight is the total weight of the trailer the vehicle can safely tow.

Payload

The maximum weight of the cargo the vehicle can safely transport. Payload includes the cargo you are hauling, you, and your passengers; weight is weight.

Curb weight

How much the vehicle weighs when it rolls off the assembly. Curb weight does not include any add-ons.

GVW

Gross vehicle weight is the exact weight of the vehicle with all of the cargo and passengers in the vehicle. The GVW fluctuates as people get in and out, or as cargo is removed.