1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owners Manual

MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS COWP
DATE GVWW GAWR FRT GAWR RW
The other label is the Certification Label. found on the
rear edge cf the driver's door. it tells ycu the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross
vehicle Weight Rating (GVW).The GVWR includes
the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants. fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) foreither the front or
rear axle.
YOUr WEtE'ralI~y does COWX gSa€%S 03.
components that fail because of overloading.
Hf you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else -- they will go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If YOU have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they'll keep going.
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Your vehicie can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is far your vehick, you
shora'rd read the infomation in "Weight of the Trailer"
that appears later in this section. But trailerifmg is
differect than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering neans changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe tmilering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
4-32 . . I~
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Eszd-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle.
wheel assembiles and tires %e forced ea work harder
against the drag uf the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at reEativeIy higher speeds and gnder
grczter Isads, gecerating extra heat. What's more, the
trailer adds considerably to wid resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To PnlI A Railerr
If you do, here are some irqm-tana points:
There
are mmy different laws, inclndlng speed Zimit
restrictions, having to do with trailerkg Make sure
your
rig will be legal, not only where yolr live but
also where you'll be driving. A good source for this
infomation can be state or' provincial peke.
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If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 18 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If yog have a weight-distributing
hitch, the
trziler tongue (A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total ioaded 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 traiier.
Be sure your vehicle’s tires
are inflated to the Gpper
limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Tire-Loading Information Babel at
the rear edge of the
driver’s door OF see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the
Index. Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit
for your vehicle, including the weight sf the
trailer tongue.
I-- LL&LA2Lb q ; -I ,-+ 1
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Were are
some des to follow:
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Be sure to read and follow the ins~srctions for the t~tile~
brdw so you’ll be able to install, adjust ad maintain
them properly.
8
You’ll Zeed more passing distance up ahead when
gr~u’re
towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you‘ll geed to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle bef0re you cas return to your lane.
4-36
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3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
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