Car width

The width of a car is one of the basic dimensions of a car that you will find in every catalogue. The importance of car width is obvious.

Vehicle width is one of the standardised vehicle dimensions, the so-called basic vehicle dimensions, which are defined by the international standard ISO 612 of 1978.

Definition:

The width of the vehicle is the distance between two vertical planes parallel to the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle and touching both sides of the body, including the door handles.


The following are not included in the width of the vehicle:
rear-view mirrors (the width of the vehicle with mirrors is usually shown separately), marker and directional lamps, screens, retractable steps, customs seals, snow chains and deflected parts of the tire sidewalls. The width of the vehicle shall be determined at the permissible total weight.

Vehicle width and its effect on driving characteristics:

Sufficient car width promises good interior space for crew and cargo. The wide body structure allows the use of wider axles with sufficient track width, which has a positive effect on the driving characteristics.

Where can I find out the vehicle width?

If you think you can find all the basic dimensions of a vehicle in a large technical certificate, you might be surprised. Not all the basic dimensions are listed in the large technical certificate. As far as the width of the car is concerned, only the width without mirrors is listed in the technical certificate! What about you, do you know the width of your vehicle? Do you at least have an idea? If not, take a look at the following table of car widths of different categories.

Examples of vehicle widths (width with mirrors):

Škoda Citigo 1645 mm (1910 mm)
Škoda FABIA III. 1732 mm (1958 mm)
Škoda OCTAVIA III. 1814 mm (2017 mm)
Škoda SUPERB III. 1864 mm (2031 mm)
Škoda KODIAQ 1882 mm (2087 mm)

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