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Loading Your Vehicle 
- 
DSI/KPA (COL3) 
The Certification/Tire  label is found on the rear  edge of the  driver’s  door or 
in the Incomplete  Vehicle Document  in the cab. 
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 of 
the vehicle,  all  occupants,  fuel  and  cargo. 
The  CertificatiodTire  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  GAWR  for either  the front 
or  rear  axle. 
And, 
if you  do have  a  heavy load, you should  spread it out. 
A CAUTION-: 
In  the  case of a sudden  stop or  collision,  things  carried  in the  bed 
of  your  truck  could  shift  forward  and  come  into  the  passenger \
 area,  injuring  you  and 
others. If you  put  things  in  the bed of 
your  truck,  you 
should make  sure  they  are  properly  secured. 
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Tires 
We don’t  make  tires. Your new vehicle  comes with  high-quality  tires made 
by a leading tire manufacturer.  These tires are warranted  by the tire 
manufacturers,  and their warranties  are delivered 
with every  new vehicle.  If 
your  spare  tire is a different brand than your road tires,  you  will have 
a tire 
warranty  folder from each 
of these manufacturers. 
A CAUTION: 
Poorly maintained  and improperly  used tires are dangerous. 
Overloading your  tires can cause overheating  as a result of too 
much friction.  You could  have an  air-out  and  a serious 
accident.  See  “Loading Your  Vehicle”  in the  Index. 
Underinflated  tires pose  the same  danger  as  overloaded  tires. 
The  resulting accident  could cause serious injury.  Check all 
tires frequently  to maintain the  recommended  pressure. Tire 
pressure should  be  checked  when  your tires are cold. 
Overinflated tires  are more  likely  to be  cut, punctured,  or 
broken  by 
a sudden impact, such as when  you  hit a pothole. 
Keep  tires 
at the recommended  pressure. 
Worn,  old tires can cause  accidents. If your tread  is  badly 
worn,  or if your tires have  been damaged, replace  them. 
Inflation - Tire  Pressure 
The Certification/Tire  label  which  is on the rear edge of  the  driver‘s  door, or 
on the incomplete vehicle  document in the cab,  shows the correct inflation 
pressures  for your tires, when  they’re  cold. “Cold“ tneans your vehicle 
has 
been sitting for at least three hours  or driven  no more than  a mile. 
You  can operate some vehicles  at reduced inflation pressures only when 
you’ll be  carrying reduced loads.  On those vehicles,  the minimum cold 
inflation pressures  for 
a typical reduced load are printed  on the  “Improved 
Ride  Tire  Pressure” label located  on the  driver’s  door. Weigh  the  vehicle to 
find the load on each tire  and see the  label  for the minimum cold inflation 
pressures  for that load. 
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NOTICE: 
Don’t  let  anyone tell  you that  underinflation  or  overinflation  is 
all  right.  It’s  not. 
If’ your  tires  don’t  have  enough  air 
(underinflation) 
you can  get: 
0 Too much  flexing 
Too much  heat 
0 Tire  overloading 
Bad  wear 
Bad  handling 
0 Bad  fuel  economy. 
If your  tires  have  too  much  air  (overinflation), you can  get: 
Unusual wear 
Bad  handling 
Rough  ride 
Needless  damage from road  hazards. 
When to Check 
Check your tires once  a month 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, especially 
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. They help prevent 
leaks  by keeping  out  dirt and moisture. 
Tire  Inspection  and  Rotation 
Tires should be  inspected  every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10 000 to 13 000 km) 
for any signs of unusual  wear. If unusual wear  is present, rotate your tires as 
soon as possible  and check  wheel alignment.  Also  check  for  damaged  tires 
or  wheels.  See  “When  it’s Time  for  New Tires” and  “Wheel Replacement” 
later  in this  section  for more  information. 
If your vehicle has dual rear 
wheels,  also  see 
“Dual Tire Operation”  later in this section. 
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If your  vehicle  has  dual  rear  wheels  and  the  load  range or tread design for 
your  front  tires  is different  from  your  rear  tires,  always  use  the correct 
rotation  pattern  shown  here  when rotating  your  tires.  The dual  tires  are 
rotated  as  a pair, and  the  inside  rear  tires  become  the  outside  rear tires. 
When  you install  dual  wheels, be  sure the vent  holes  in the  inner  and outer 
wheels 
on each  side  are  lined  up. 
After  the  tires  have  been  rotated,  adjust  the  front  and rear  inflation  pressures 
as  shown  on the  Certificatioflire  label.  Make  certain  that all  wheel  nuts are 
properly  tightened.  See  “Wheel  Nut Torque”  in the  Index. 
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services 
Listed  below  are  owner  checks  and services  which should be performed  at 
the intervals  specified to help  ensure the safety, dependability  and emission 
control  performance  of your vehicle. 
Be  sure any necessary  repairs are completed  at once.  Whenever  any fluids 
or  lubricants  are added  to your  vehicle,  make  sure they  are the proper  ones, 
as shown in Part D. 
At the  First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles (160, I 600 and 
IO 000 km) 
For vehicles with dual wheels, check dual  wheel nut torque. For proper 
torque,  see  “Wheel 
Nut Torque’’  in  the  Index. 
At Each  Fuel  Fill 
Engine Oil Level 
Check the  engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary.  See “Engine 
Oil” 
in the Index  for  further  details. 
Engine Coolant  Level 
Check the engine  coolant  level and add  the proper coolant mix if necessary. 
See  ”Coolant” 
in the Index for  further  details. 
Windshield  Washer  Fluid  Level 
Check the windshield  washer fluid level in the windshield  washer tank  and 
add the proper fluid  if necessary.  See ”Windshield Washer  Fluid” in  the 
Index  for  further  details. 
At Least Once a Month 
Tire  Inflation 
Check tire  inflation. Make  sure tires  are inflated to the pressures  specified 
on the Certification/Tire  label which is located on the rear  edge  of the 
driver’s  door  or on the incomplete  vehicle document in the cab.  See  “Tires” 
in the  Index  for  further  details. 
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