1996 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE load capacity

Your vehicle will have an open storage compartment
and cupholder on either side of the third row.
onve--'en - 7 Net (Optic--
The optional convenience net is designed to help keep
small loads, like grocery bags, from falling over during
sharp turns or quick stops and starts. Install the
convenience net at the rear of your vehicle,
just inside
the liftgate. Attach the upper loops to the
posts on either side of the liftgate opening (the label on
the net should be
in the upper right-hand corner). Attach
the lower loops to the hooks on the floor.
The side of the convenience net closest
to the front of
the vehicle is higher than the side closest to the liftgate.
Once you've loaded items into the
net, stretch the higher
side of the
net up and over the top of the load to hold it
firmly in place.
The convenience net has a maximum capacity of
100 Ibs. (45 kg). It is not designed to hold larger,
heavier loads. Store such loads on the
floor of your
vehicle, as far forward
as you can.
When not
in use, we recommend that you take down the
convenience
net to extend its life and retain its elasticity,
and to keep
the rear exit clear. Store the net in the pouch
behind either front seat.
ProCarManuals.com

I NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more than 125 lbs.
(56 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage
your vehicle.
When you carry cargo on the luggage carrier
of a
proper size and weight, put it on the slats, as far
forward as you can. Then slide the crossrail up
against the rear
of the load, to help keep it from
moving. You can then tie it down.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your Oldsmobile. For more information on
vehicle capacity and loading, see “Loading 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.
ProCarManuals.com

Loading Your Vehicle
ml GVWR MFD
BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP XWXX
GAWR
FRT GAWR RR
LB/KCI
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL. APPLICABLE
U.S. FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE
OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
MODEL:
MPBY TIRE
SIZE RTC. RIM
FRT
RR
SPA SERIAL NUMBER
M.P.V.
SPEED
SEE OWNERS MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PSVKPA
(COLD
The Certification/Tire 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
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The CertificatiodTire label also tells
you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called
the Cross
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 retailer 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.
!7
ProCarManuals.com

Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes
in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has
to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section.
In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many
of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag
of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
0
0
0
0
0
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control
if your trailer will
weigh
2,000 lbs. (900 kg) or less. You should always
use
a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Don’t tow
a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
You should use THIRD (D) (or, as you need to, a
lower gear) when towing a trailer. Operating your
vehicle
in THIRD (D) when towing a trailer will
minimize heat buildup and extend the life of
your transaxle.
4-30
ProCarManuals.com

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or 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.
A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh
10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you’re using a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see
if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able
to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Yo Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the limit for
cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
CertificationEire label at the rear edge of the driver’s
door or see “Tire Loading”
in the Index. Then be sure
you don’t
go over the GVW limit for your vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer tongue.
4-32
ProCarManuals.com

Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 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, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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
or corroded. If wheel
nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
Oldsmobile retailer if any of these conditions exist.
Your retailer will know the kind
of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have
the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
6-40
ProCarManuals.com