Power Wheels cars have always been a fun concept to me, I’m sure I’m not the only one who dreamed of being able to drive one of these fun cars as a child, it was certainly the closest thing I could get to driving for a long while!
Plus, with various car brands having their iconic models reproduced on a smaller scale, it was the perfect chance to get behind the wheel of my favorite cars.
Of course, Power Wheels cars can be a slightly concerning purchase to some parents, especially considering that a 12v model can reach between 3 to 5 miles per hour, which is a lot for a child.
There’s also the question of weight limits too. Not all children are the same, with everyone growing at different rates, which means that they might not get the same amount of usage out of their Power Wheels before they become too heavy.
In this guide, I’ll take you through all of the details on the weight limits of these cars to help ensure that your little one can enjoy them for longer!
Table of Contents
What Are Power Wheels Cars?
As a parent, I can understand that it’s sometimes difficult to keep up with all of the new toys that your children tell you that they want to have. It can seem relentless at times, that’s for sure, but Power Wheels aren’t a new invention, and have been around for decades!
Created by Italian company Peg Perego back in 1949, electronic ride-on cars started by using gel cell batteries to help move the vehicles forward.
The name “Power Wheels” was first used in 1984 by Kransco, who had recently bought Pines of America, who were famous for their electric vehicles for children. By the start of the new decade in 1990, the company was selling over 1 million units per year.
1994 saw the Power Wheels line of toys bought out by Mattel, who then introduced it under the Fisher-Price subsidiary, and with the ability to gain access to brand licensing, the range of cars and vehicles produced helped the brand grow enormously.
To this day, Power Wheels are still desired by toddlers and preschoolers alike, which means as a parent, it’s good to familiarize yourself with the weight limits that come with them.
The Weight Restrictions Of A Power Heels Car
When it comes to choosing the right Power Wheels car for your child, one of the key things you should consider is whether or not your child fits within the weight limits of the vehicle.
The weight limit of a Power Wheels car can vary greatly depending on the age of the child that the vehicle was intended for, as well as whether or not the vehicle is a single or dual-seater. Dual seaters usually have a slightly higher weight limit to accommodate two riders at once.
For most of the single-seater 12v Power Wheels vehicles, such as the Racing ATV, or the Jurassic World Dino Racer, the weight limit is set at 65 lb, with a guided age range of 3 to 7 years old.
Meanwhile, the dual-seater 12v Power Wheels vehicles, like the Ford F150 Raptor Extreme, the Disney Princess Jeep Wrangler, or the Dune Racer Extreme, all have weight limitations of 130 lbs. With an age range of 3 to 7
So, if your child is asking (or in many cases, begging) you to purchase them a 12v Power Wheels car, then be sure to check whether or not they’re going to be able to ride safely based upon the weight limits!
Where To Find The Weight Restrictions For A Power Wheels Car
If you’re looking at purchasing one of the 12v Power Wheels Ride-On vehicles for your child or children, then you’re going to want to make sure that you check whether or not they’re suitable for the vehicle based on the weight limit.
The easiest way to check the weight limit of the vehicle they want is to simply find it on either the box of the vehicle, or within the instruction manual. The weight limit should be clearly outlined on both of these things, which will help to make the weight restrictions easy to find.
Alternatively, if you’re purchasing the vehicle online, then the retailer you’re purchasing it from should have the weight limits outlined in the product description, which will help you to understand whether or not it is suitable for your child.
Why Are Weight Limits Important For A Power Wheels Car?
While it might just seem like the manufacturer is trying to cover themselves, there are some real reasons why these vehicles have weight restrictions around who can use them.
Safety
The first, and main reason, why these vehicles have weight restrictions is because they want to help ensure the safety of your child.
If a child who is over the weight limit uses a Power Wheels vehicle, it can affect the vehicle’s ability to function properly due to the additional strain.
This can have a knock-on effect on the stability of the vehicle, as well as causing a strain on the batteries too. The last thing you want to happen is for the vehicle to crash due to poor stability, or for the battery to suddenly die, causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop.
Performance
Another reason why these weight limits are in place is to help ensure that the vehicle can reach its optimum performance. Power Wheels vehicles are fun, especially since it allows your child to get a taste of what it is like to drive their car.
For a child who is too heavy though, the performance of the vehicle can be affected by the excess weight, causing a strain on the battery and wheels, which will prevent the vehicle from going over certain surfaces, and limiting the acceleration and speed too.
Durability
Power Wheels vehicles are relatively well made, meaning that aside from anything too serious, they should be able to withstand most of the things that your child can throw at them.
However, with a child that is too heavy, additional wear and tear on the components of the vehicle will cause it to break much earlier than it would otherwise, shortening the lifespan of the vehicle, and leaving your child without the vehicle altogether!
What To Do If Your Child Is Too Heavy For A 12V Power Wheels Car?
If your child is too heavy for one of the 12v vehicles that Power Wheels has to offer, then thankfully, there is a solution to this issue, it does involve some technical knowledge though.
Because of this weight limit, many companies have now begun producing 24v battery motor upgrade kits for many of Power Wheels’ 12v products, allowing you to increase the performance, and therefore the weight limit of the vehicle.
It’s worth noting though that modifying these products can potentially be dangerous, and will leave you liable should anything go wrong.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this guide has been able to help you understand more about the weight limits on a 12v Power Wheels car, including what they are, why they exist, and what to do if your child is too heavy. Have fun!
