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You may have seen a sticker on your car or read it in the specs of your vehicle. But if you don't know, then you're not alone. The number 'GVWR' stands for "Gross Vehicle Weight Rating".

It is an important number to know, especially if you haul heavy loads with your vehicle. Sam Leman Automotive Group wants you to be safe and let's talk about what the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is and why it's important.

The GVWR: Meaning and Explanation

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum weight of your car. This includes the weight of the car when it is empty, plus the weight of the people in it, and also the weight of any cargo or accessories you have.

For example, if your car has a GVWR of 7,000 pounds, that means that the total weight of everything in and on your car can't be more than 7,000 pounds. If you go over this limit, your car might not be safe to drive. You can see more at curbweights.com.

What Does the GVWR Mean for You?

If you go over the weight limit for your car, you could get a ticket. But that's not the only thing that could happen if you go over the weight limit. You could also get in trouble with the law.

This is because if there is an accident while you are going over the weight limit, somebody could die. It's also important to know what the weight limit is for your car so you don't overload it and damage it.

What is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for Your Vehicle?

You can find the GVWR for your truck easily. There is usually a sticker on the inside of the driver side door. This will tell you both the GVWR and the curb weight. If the information is not there, check your owner’s manual.

The curb weight of the car is the total weight of your vehicle if it was fully loaded with all fluids, but no fuel or people inside. The curb weight could be heavier than the GVWR because while you may not have any passengers in your car, you probably still have some cargo or other items inside.

If your driver’s side door sticker says that your GVWR is 7,000 and your curb weight is 6,200, then you know that there's a slight chance you might overload your car slightly. It's important to look at both numbers on this truck sticker so you can get a true picture of how much capacity you have for cargo and/or people.