NOTICE
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when loading your \
vehicle. For
more information on vehicle capacity and loading, see “Loadin\
g Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving, check now and then to
make sure the luggage carrier and cargo are still securely fastened.
Be sure the cargo is properly loaded.
If small heavy objects are placed on the roof, place the load in the area
over the rear wheels (behind the rear side door on wagon mod\
els).
If
you need to, cut a piece of 3/8 inch plywood to fit inside the cross rails
and side rails to spread the load.
If plywood is used, tie it to the side
rail supports.
Tie the load to the cross rails or the side rail supports. Use the cross
rails only to keep the load from sliding.
If you need to carry long items, move the cross rails as far\
apart as
they will go. Tie the load to the cross rails and the side \
rails or side rail supports. Also tie the load to the bumpers.
Do not tie the load so tightly
that the cross rails or side rails are damaged.
After moving the cross rails, be sure to tighten all the slider screws.
To reduce wind noise, the cross rails must be installed with the \
narrow edge
toward the front of the vehicle.
Also, the front cross rail should be about 8 inches (200 mm) behind the front
anchor on Utility models.
2-8 1
ProCarManuals.com
Your Driving and the Road
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
For utility vehicles, a trailer should never weigh more than 7,000 pounds
(31 75.2 kg).
For wagon models, a trailer should never weigh more than 10,000
pounds (6125.6 kg).
But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how you plan to use your rig.
For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature, \
and how
much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer all are important\
. And,
it can also
depend on any special equipment that you have
on your vehicle. You can
ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or y\
ou can write us at
the address listed in your Warranty and Owner Assistance Inform\
ation
Booklet.
In Canada, write
to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because
it affects the total, gross weight of your vehicle. The gross vehicle weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight
of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it,
and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer,
you must add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index for more
information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
4-58
ProCarManuals.com
Loading Your Vehicle
MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP L-4
I
. , .. .-. .. ,. . ,FFECT
CROWN ABOVE.
1
TIRE SIZE
-EL XISPEED RIM PSVKPA (COLD)
SPA
SEE OWNERS MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
K2134
The Certificationflire label is found on the rear edge of the driver's door. The
label shows the size of your original tires and the inflation \
pressures needed
to obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle. This is called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the weight o\
f the vehicle,
all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certificationnire label also tells you the maximum weights for the front
and rear axles, called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the
actual loads on your front and rear axles, you need to go to\
a weigh station
and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with this. Be sure to
spread out your load equally on both sides of the centerline. \
Never exceed the GVWR
for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
And,
if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
A
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or the I
maximum front and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts on your vehicl\
e
can break, or
it can change the way your vehicle handles. These
could cause you
to lose control. Also, overloading can shorten the
life of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components
to get added durability might not
change your weight ratings. Ask your dealer to help you load your vehicle the
right way.
6-46
ProCarManuals.com
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or overinflation is all right. It’-
9. If your tires don’t have enough air (underinflation) you can get
Too much flexing
Too much heat
tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
I If your tires have too much air (overinflation), you can get:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
nth
or more. Also, check the
tire pressure of the spare tire.
How to Check: Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire pressure.
Simply looking at the tires will not tell you the pressure, e\
specially if you
have radial tires-which may look properly inflated even
if they’re
underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back on. The\
y help
prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Special Tire Inflation
If you have 16 inch tires on your vehicle, and:
- You’ll be driving for very long at speeds of 66 mph (105 km/h) to 75
mph
(120 km/h) where legal, inflate tires 10 psi (70 kPa) more than
the recommended
cold inflation pressure,
- You’ll be driving for very long at speeds of 76 mph (120 kmih) to 85
mph (135 km/h) where legal, cold inflation pressure should be
increased
by 10 psi (70 kPa) and you must also reduce axle load
capacity by
10%. Do not drive over 85 mph (135 kmlh) even if
it’s legal.
- Inflation pressures should never exceed 10 psi (70 kPa) above the
inflation specified for the maximum
load of the tire.
6-50
ProCarManuals.com
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla\
tion, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
Those grades are molded on the sidewalls of passenger car tires.
While the tires available as standard or optional equipment on \
General Motors
vehicles may vary with respect to these grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and have been approved for use on General
Motors vehicles.
All passenger type (P Metric) tires must conform to Federal
safety requirements in addition to these grades.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully \
at the
factory to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance.
In
most cases, you will not need to have your wheels aligned again.
However,
if you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling one way or
the other, the alignment may need to be reset.
If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels may need to be
rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted. If wheel nuts keep
coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts should be\
replaced.
If
the wheel leaks air out, replace it (except some aluminum whe\
els, which can be repaired). See your GM truck dealer
if any of these conditions exist. Your
dealer will know what kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load carrying capacity, di\
ameter,
width, offset, and be mounted the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts,
replace them only with
new GM original equipment parts. This way, you will
be sure you have the right wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts\
for your
vehicle.
6-55
ProCarManuals.com