Reduced performance with passengers?

[OzSTi]

When ever I take a mate for a drive I feel the car doesn't feel as quick as when I'm by myself.

Would an extra 100kg make that much difference or am I subconsciously more conservative when I've got a passenger (I reckon I am somewhat).

Have others noticed this?

[gtspec]

lol oh yeh i noticed this too..

especially when u have a full car compared to an empty one.. big difference

[EJ25]

its just like when you go into the servo with an empty tank and come out with a full tank. Completely different.

[smythie]

Mine doesn't go as quick when Audrey is a passenger I get the feeling it doesn't go as quick for Audrey either when I am a passenger.

Seriously though, 100kg can make a difference to the performance of your car. Maybe not really noticeable but a difference it can make.

Take for example: the bunfights over the last 5 or 10 years between magazines over acceleration times. Some decided to test the usual 0-100km/h, quarter mile and such with a passenger and half full tank, while others (and manufacturers) chose to test with a near empty tank and just the driver. This often made a half second or so difference (down in the 5 or 6 second bracket for the 0-100km/h test) with a weight "penalty" or no more than 100kg.

In normal driving however, I reckon you would have to be very perceptive to notice the difference between having a passenger and not. It may well be you changing your driving style (as I know I do).

Anyone who can pick the difference between full and empty fuel tank in normal driving is either tremendously perceptive or kidding themselves (or their "normal driving" equates to track driving at/over the limit) IMO

[EJ25]

Anyone who can pick the difference between full and empty fuel tank in normal driving is either tremendously perceptive or kidding themselves (or their "normal driving" equates to track driving at/over the limit) IMO

LOL, no kidding i can

[drndrn]

its just like when you go into the servo with an empty tank and come out with a full tank. Completely different.

Yeah your fuel gauge isn't on empty anymore.

[coyote]

its just like when you go into the servo with an empty tank and come out with a full tank. Completely different.

Yeah your fuel gauge isn't on empty anymore.

But your wallet is!

[swingn]

I think any change in weight over say 50kg's is noticable to some degree... But it also depends on where the weight is IMO.

When I go from emtpy to filling up, I can really feel the extra weight in the rear end... Same as if I have a full boot for a delivery or I'm going away for the weekend.

[Spec B Wgn]

its all about cubic capacity... and torque

mates of mine have V8's and it doesnt matter if theres one in or three in it, they dont seem to mind the xtra kg's as much as 4 cylinder cars do...

[GTSPECB STI]

power to weight ratio

[OzSTi]

I guess my passenger last night would have been closer to 130kg. Interesting that he was impressed but I'm thinking it usually feels even better. He's just come out of a VE SS (6ltr) so you can understand why he's impressed.

Anyway this mate works at Holden in the Pilot room on the new models and one comment he made about the Liberty was how nicely the doors closed, not requiring a slam but still closing with a nice thunk. I guess details he looks at daily.

[senator]

I guess my passenger last night would have been closer to 130kg. Interesting that he was impressed but I'm thinking it usually feels even better. He's just come out of a VE SS (6ltr) so you can understand why he's impressed.

Anyway this mate works at Holden in the Pilot room on the new models and one comment he made about the Liberty was how nicely the doors closed, not requiring a slam but still closing with a nice thunk. I guess details he looks at daily.

i have heard this very same comment from a few mates about the door closing..... coming from a history of commodores..... i must admit, for frameless doors they do have a nice thunk to them.

[swingn]

I guess my passenger last night would have been closer to 130kg. Interesting that he was impressed but I'm thinking it usually feels even better. He's just come out of a VE SS (6ltr) so you can understand why he's impressed.

Anyway this mate works at Holden in the Pilot room on the new models and one comment he made about the Liberty was how nicely the doors closed, not requiring a slam but still closing with a nice thunk. I guess details he looks at daily.

i have heard this very same comment from a few mates about the door closing..... coming from a history of commodores..... i must admit, for frameless doors they do have a nice thunk to them.

From an early age my Dad always use to make the comment "Don't slam the door... It's not a Holden".

Guess we know where that saying comes from

[smythie]

I guess my passenger last night would have been closer to 130kg. Interesting that he was impressed but I'm thinking it usually feels even better. He's just come out of a VE SS (6ltr) so you can understand why he's impressed.

Anyway this mate works at Holden in the Pilot room on the new models and one comment he made about the Liberty was how nicely the doors closed, not requiring a slam but still closing with a nice thunk. I guess details he looks at daily.

i have heard this very same comment from a few mates about the door closing..... coming from a history of commodores..... i must admit, for frameless doors they do have a nice thunk to them.

An interesting note is the difference between my MY06 3RB and the MY08 2.5i loaner I had the other week. The doors and boot lid of the 2.5i were quite hollow in comparison to my car.

[EJ25]

Anyway this mate works at Holden in the Pilot room on the new models and one comment he made about the Liberty was how nicely the doors closed, not requiring a slam but still closing with a nice thunk. I guess details he looks at daily.

i have heard this very same comment from a few mates about the door closing..... coming from a history of commodores..... i must admit, for frameless doors they do have a nice thunk to them.

i used to drive an accord euro as a daily and still regularly to this day. and the doors on those things are even better. you push it to a point and it will gain just enough to close the door properly. When i picked up the lib, this was one of my first frustrations with the car. Btw, i have never driven a holden, so i dont know about the doors on them.