Car dimensions: 3 classes of domestic cars and 8 categories of foreign cars

Popular passenger car width standards

Most often, if people live in multi-storey buildings, they buy a place in a garage cooperative nearby. But it also happens that you need to design and build a garage space yourself, especially in your own home.

It should be ideal for the car, especially if there is not one, but 2 or 3 cars in the house.

In order for a garage space to be suitable and versatile, you need to know the parameters of the future cars for which the garage is being built. Whatever the car, it always needs its own place to protect it from theft, natural disasters, icing, hypothermia, overheating, etc.

Let's consider the approximate sizes of various categories of the automotive industry:

1. Class A cars. This includes representatives of Matiz, which are excellent for maneuvering even in the narrowest alleys and streets of large populated areas. As a rule, their width does not exceed 1.5 m.
2. Class B cars - this, as a rule, includes almost all popular models, for example, Skoda Fabia, Nissan Micra, Ford Fiesta, Opel Astra. The body width of such cars varies from 1.6 to 1.8. Everything will depend on the model, the placement of mirrors and even the year of manufacture of a particular brand.
3. Representatives of class C. One of the most popular representatives of this class is the Volkswagen Golf. Its body, on average, is 2.05 m wide.
4. Cars belonging to class D are distinguished by greater capacity, both in the body and in the trunk, which is important for people who travel a lot in their car. The body in this case reaches 2.08 m in width.
5. Cars belonging to the E class are representatives of the so-called executive segment.
6. Class F includes long cars belonging to the passenger segment. This includes the famous Rolls-Royce.

It should also be noted that domestic cars are more permanent in this regard, even after improvement, they do not change their dimensions. In addition, there are large trucks, as well as small family minibuses, which may also require a garage at a private home. The dimensions of such a car will also depend on the model and manufacturer.

How to determine the class of a car: table with examples

Among the huge variety of cars, it is very difficult to choose the best and most necessary model. A table with examples will be very helpful in this difficult task , from which you can find out the class of the car.

Car classification

Currently, a huge number of cars are produced in the world. They are all different, differing both in body type and dimensions .

Passenger cars are classified both by class and by body type.

First, you need to decide for what purpose you plan to use the car, what size interior is needed, and under what conditions you plan to use it.

The class is influenced by both the length of the body and its design features.

Division by body type

There are several main types of car bodies:

• sedan;
• hatchback;
• station wagon;
• coupe;
• pickup;
• minivan;
• cabriolet.

Determining the height and length of a passenger car

As already mentioned, currently on our streets you can find cars of all models of manufacturers, as well as completely different sizes, ranging from a small Matiz model to bulky trucks.

The more cars there are on the roads and in yards, the more acute the question arises that motorists need to leave their car somewhere overnight.

Many motorists who buy their first car practically do not pay attention to what dimensions are typical for a particular car model; they are more concerned about the price.

And yet, if you are choosing a car for the first time, pay special attention to such dimensions as:

• Height . This indicator will determine whether the car will fit into your garage. Sometimes, when the width is right, the car still cannot end up in the garage, because the roof rests on the top beam.
• Length . Often, motorists are faced with the fact that a brand new car they bought does not fit into the garage, turning out to be longer than its “home”. This often happens when you buy a car from category F.
• Width . The most popular indicator when choosing a car. It determines how nimble the car will be and whether it can park in a small space between 2 other cars.

Thus, you can understand that it is necessary to take into account all these 3 indicators so that the car fits completely inside the garage, leaving the driver space to maneuver and repair the car.

For trucks

There are slightly different rules in force here, defined by Federal Law No. 257 “On Highways and Road Activities” and PP No. 272 ​​of April 15, 2011.

Appendices No. 1 and 3 indicate what maximum weight and dimensions are determined for moving cargo in a trailer using freight transport.

The first application determines the permissible weight based on the type of vehicle, loading platform and number of axles.

Any truck driving onto a Russian road must weigh no more than 44 tons, be no more than 20 meters in length and 4 meters in height.

What is the average width of a car?

It is necessary to know the average width of a passenger car; both experienced motorists and automotive industry specialists talk about this.

To correctly calculate the average width, you need:

• Know how many meters the car will occupy with the doors open. Doors can be of different lengths, depending on the model. Therefore, when building or choosing a garage space, you definitely need to know how many meters the car will occupy in width with all doors open.
• It is necessary to leave an additional 1-2 m so that the driver and passengers can easily get into and out of the car.
• If the opportunity to make a long garage near a private house is limited, then an additional 0.5-1 m for shelves or racks should also be added to the calculation of the width. They are always necessary in a functioning garage. Even if the car will only “spend the night”.

If you decide to build a garage yourself or make a full-fledged extension for this, you need to take into account all the dimensions, the necessary additional meters, etc. In addition, if you need to build a garage for a minibus, you must also take into account its height

It will be larger than the average passenger car.

Before building a garage for one or more cars, you should draw up and draw a plan for the future premises, taking into account all additional and basic parameters, as well as the dimensions of the entrance gate and, if necessary, a gate.

Permitted speed with a trailer in the city and on the highway

A trailer is a separate vehicle without an engine, moved by another mechanical vehicle of which it is a part.

A trailer is not a vehicle.

The permitted speed of a car with a trailer according to traffic regulations is determined only for passenger cars:

• when driving on the highway, the speed is up to 90 km/h;
• when entering a populated area - up to 60 km/h;
• outside the populated area - no higher than 70 km/h;
• for courtyard areas, bicycle and residential areas - up to 20 km/h.

The rule will not apply to other vehicles - small trucks (Gazelle) or pickups. Vehicles classified as other types (including freight), if equipped with a tow hitch, may not change their normal speed limit.

We talked in detail about the fine for a towbar on a passenger car in this article.

Dimensions of a garage for 1 car: optimal parameters

As a rule, most families in our country have one car, so most often motorists wonder what the optimal standard dimensions of the garage and car to take as a basis in order to build the most convenient garage.

What indicators should a garage meet:

• Place the car so that you can move around it without problems and have access to its bottom.
• The ceiling must be high so that it is possible to work with the roof of the car, for example, to install additional space on it for transporting things, bicycles, etc. In addition, the height of the garage can be important for convenient washing of the car.
• Strict consideration should be given to all necessary work surfaces and shelving, cabinets, tool racks, for any work to straighten small dents or to replace supplied vehicle parts.
• You should also take into account the presence of a repair hole or elevation under the bottom of the car.

Once the plan is completely ready, then all the surfaces, boxes, shelving and other necessary additions necessary for the motorist have been taken into account. After drawing up a plan, where all the necessary space has already been taken into account, you can look at what materials to use, whether to insulate or not, what kind of lighting equipment there will be, and also whether the garage should accommodate any functionality other than what is necessary for operating and repairing the car.

Thus, it becomes clear why there is an urgent need to know exactly what dimensions the car will have if the garage is already ready. If the garage is still only at the design stage, you can use averaged data. You can calculate them yourself, knowing the minimum dimensions of one desired car model and the maximum dimensions of another proposed car.

Fines for violations

Although driving with a trailer when overloaded is not specified in the Code of Administrative Offences, a fine can still be issued under the following articles of the code:

• 12.21 - when the rules of towing and transportation of goods are violated (fine - 500 rubles);
• 12.21.1 part 11 - when driving through sign 3.12 with an overloaded total weight (fine 5 thousand rubles);
• 12.21.1 part 9 - in case of special understatement of the cargo on documents by the sender: in this case, the driver risks running into a fine for overloading of 5 thousand rubles, an official - 25-35 thousand rubles, and an organization - 250-400 thousand rubles.

Transportation rules in some cases provide for special permission.

It is permissible to exceed the maximum speed only by 20 km/h (Part 2 of Article 12.9 of the Administrative Code).

Since the trailer is part of a moving vehicle and cannot be driven without it, only one fine is issued.

Speed ​​limits when driving passenger cars with towed devices are established by Section 10 of the Traffic Regulations.

Article 12.9 of the Code of Administrative Offenses determines the amount of fines taking into account the recorded speeding.

If the fine is paid within 20 days from the date of imposition of the penalty, the driver will be able to save half the amount (Part 1.3 of Article 32.2 of the Administrative Code). The assignment does not apply if there is a repeated violation.

When a driver driving a vehicle with a trailer passes under sign 3.7, liability will arise under Part 1 of Article 12.16 of the Administrative Code. The violator faces a fine of 500 rubles.

The sign will not be valid only under two circumstances:

• transport belongs to citizens who live, work or are in the area covered by the sign;
• for postal transport.

In addition to the above situations, you may be fined in other cases:

• there is no information about the trailer in the MTPL policy - 500 rubles (Federal Law No. 40);
• Vehicles are faulty - 500 rubles (Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses), this includes cases of failure of lighting fixtures;
• Category “E” is not open - 5 thousand rubles (Article 27.12 of the Administrative Code).

General rules for towing a trailer

According to the established towing rules, using a trailer is permitted under the following conditions:

• there is a certificate with “E” category and documents for the trailer used, which must be indicated in the policy;
• there is a license plate;
• the road train is in good order;
• visibility on the road is not limited;
• there are lighting devices (when moving at night);
• the trailer does not block the rear of the vehicle;
• All connections and tires have been checked and lubricant is available.

Failure to comply with these conditions will result in a fine.

Inspection and preparation for towing

Before using the tow hitch, you must perform a number of mandatory actions:

1. The coupling is checked. Everything must be in order and securely fixed. The presence of a safety rope (chain) is checked. Backlash during connection must be eliminated.
2. The towbar is lubricated. For reliability, graphite lubricant is additionally used: it reduces the effect of friction of the coupled elements.
3. Bearings are checked. You need to lift it to spin the wheels.
4. Shock absorbers are inspected. Their malfunction can lead to skidding when driving and an emergency situation.
5. The operation of the signal lights is checked. There shouldn't be any glitches.
6. Tire pressure is measured. With different indicators, the pressure is equalized.

How to avoid trailer skidding

Particular attention should be paid to turns in the car. Due to the increase in arc when turning, it is necessary to take a larger lateral interval. When turning left, the arc is taken more to the right and vice versa. Skidding should be avoided, otherwise the trailer will tip over.

Drivers make one main mistake - they brake when turning. This cannot be done.

You need to enter the turn smoothly, without changing the speed limit. Otherwise an accident will occur.

Slow down before turning on a straight section of road and then turn.

When the trailer begins to toss to the sides, there are two solutions left:

• entering a turn;
• adding speed.

Reverse parking

Manual installation is resorted to when it is impossible to park with a car due to the load capacity or lack of rotation.

Parking in reverse is problematic. You need to stick to the opposite trajectory: when the rear of the car goes to the right, the trailer goes in the opposite direction. The ride should be smooth and the steering wheel should rotate quickly so that the trailer does not fold.

You cannot move in reverse if the situation behind is unclear. It is better if a partner helps in the maneuver, coordinating the movements.

Read more about reversing and traffic regulations at the link.

Trailer loading features

Uniform placement of the load in the trailer is mandatory: ideally, with the center of gravity above the axle or between them, if there are several axles.

When the center of gravity is shifted, the hitch and the rear of the tractor are overloaded. The grip of the car's wheels on the road surface is reduced.

When the bulk of the load is placed on the rear of the trailer, the rear of the vehicle rises.

It is extremely important that the load is placed as low as possible. Otherwise, the trailer will sway while driving, making it difficult to control.

According to clause 23.3 of the Traffic Regulations, cargo is allowed for transportation if:

• a normal view of the road is ensured;
• transport is stable and control is not impaired;
• the cargo does not cover transport signs, lighting devices, or reflectors;
• other traffic participants will be able to perceive, if necessary, signals when given by hand;
• the cargo does not create excessive noise, pollution or dust.

Three-link road trains: USSR and Russia

Old truck drivers and movie buffs of the USSR will remember that road trains with more than one trailer in their composition used to pass through the vastness of our country. Two or even three trailers were pulled behind them by activist drivers who were transporting grain. And at that time, conditional GAZ-53s were driving around the city, to which whole “beads” from barrels of kvass were attached. But after 1996, such road trains are no longer found on our roads.

There is a clause in the law that two or more trailers can be included in a road train if there is appropriate permission. But if everything were so simple, then such road trains would be found on highways in our time, but they are not. This means that everything is not so simple, and no one has abolished Russian bureaucracy with the collection of certificates and pieces of paper. It will probably be easier for a truck driver to make two trips than to collect all the necessary documents, unfortunately.