I had no idea cars had safety weight limits…
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.
I had no idea cars had safety weight limits…
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.
The main reason two-seater sports cars have occupant weight limits are because heavier people provide more kinetic energy. This can push a vehicle’s handling out of scope. In other words, the more weight you have, the longer it will take to bring the car to a full stop. Also, you risk losing control of the vehicle should a minor loss of traction occur (such as hitting that patch of water in the road) vs. the same incident with lighter occupants.
The best way to solve this problem is to lose weight (if possible). I know it’s a rude thing to say, but it’s the honest truth. Practically however, it would be better to upgrade the brake pads and wheel rotors to handle the additional load. Also, now would be a good time to get a new set of rims and tires specified to provide more traction on the road.