Many Americans are too fat for their cars' weight limits

[pacific breeze]

Car weight limits are a big, fat problem
Car weight limits are a big, fat problem - USATODAY.com

Many two-seat sports cars, like the Chevrolet Corvette, aren't certified under a government formula to carry two 200-pound adults.

By Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY
Some motorists may be too big for their cars.

The growing girth of Americans is colliding with government-mandated warning labels on all 2006 or newer cars that list the maximum weight — passengers and cargo — that's safe to carry.

Many two-seat sports cars, including Mazda MX-5 Miata and Chevrolet (GM) Corvette, aren't certified to carry two 200-pound adults, according to a government formula aimed at tire safety.

Many five-passenger vehicles are rated about 850 pounds, maxxing out if their five occupants weigh more than 170 pounds each. Six 200-pounders would overload the seven-passenger Dodge Grand Caravan minivan.

The limitations are stamped on a "Tire and Loading Information" plate on the driver's side door frame. The ratings are an outgrowth of the 2000 Firestone tire recall, in which overloading was considered a factor that could cause tires to fail. Weight limits are important because automakers could claim they don't have responsibility for a component failure or a crash if a vehicle is overloaded.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Mazda | Chevrolet Corvette | Miata | Grand Caravan | XLR

Automakers say the limits reflect a mandated federal formula that requires them to rate passengers at 150 pounds each. The limit may not be realistic "given American propensity for food, but that is the regulation," says Mazda safety director Dan Ryan.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says automakers can set the weight limit at whatever they deem appropriate.

In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control pegged average weights at 190 pounds for men, 163 for women.

David Champion, Consumer Reports head of auto testing, says automakers aren't building cars that can stand up to loads of bigger passengers. A family car "should be capable of carrying five reasonably sized people, not five midgets."

At 265 pounds, Ron Larson of Henderson, Nev., says he and his 150-pound wife were unaware of the limitations two years ago when they leased a Cadillac XLR two-seater with a 362-pound capacity. "If the dealership knew there was a weight restriction, they should have told us," he says. And the information should be on the window sticker, not the door frame, he says.

The XLR can carry more, but hasn't been certified for it, says Terry Connolly, GM energy and drive quality director. "When we put a label on a vehicle, we need to be conservative."

Honda (HMC) spokesman Sage Marie says that beyond the 400-pound weight limit in the S2000 two-seater, "We can't be responsible for the vehicle's dynamic characteristics," although an undisclosed safety margin is built in.

[sweet and sexy]

We are that large? I didn't know. Not good news.

[latinaforever]

At 265 pounds, Ron Larson of Henderson, Nev., says he and his 150-pound wife were unaware of the limitations two years ago when they leased a Cadillac XLR two-seater with a 362-pound capacity.

i think at his weight its a given.

[sweet and sexy]

^ A six-three fellow will be around that much though (and not fat.)

[piperdiva]

Crap. My hubby is 6' "1, but he is built (2nd degree black belt) at 230 pounds. What if he had a guy friend around the same size with him? That's messed up.

[latinaforever]

i'm going to start asking people their weight before they get in my car

[pacific breeze]

When my mother's awful, obese husband gets in my car, it literally sags to the right. Needless to say, he doesn't ride in it very often.

[Shalev]

I want the Vette from the article!

[TheMoog]

When my mother's awful, obese husband gets in my car, it literally sags to the right. Needless to say, he doesn't ride in it very often.

The way you said it cracks me up!! ^^^

I just imagine Homer Simpson squeezing into a 2CV!!!

[effie2]

Once my ex ferried his obese aunt for kilometers with handbrake on,blaming her for the car going slow

[suede]

i think at his weight its a given.

We don't know his height or build.

HE could be short and very fat, extremely tall and of normal weight or of average height and a body builder.

A friend of mine's husband is 6'5 and 290lbs - he is long and lanky.

[TheMoog]

Once my ex ferried his obese aunt for kilometers with handbrake on,blaming her for the car going slow

[DitaPage*]

Thats just sad.

[darksithbunny]

How in the hell will I drive around my 3 6', 6'1, 6'2 200-230 pound sons? Yes, I have linebackers.

[nycgirl]

a lot of tall men are over 200 pounds but not overweight/obese.... I think it depends on the build/body shape