2004 BUICK RAINIER load capacity

Luggage Carrier
{CAUTION:
If you try to carry something on top of your
vehicle that is longer or wider than the luggage
carrier — like paneling, plywood, a mattress and
so forth — the wind can catch it as you drive
along. This can cause you to lose control.
What you are carrying could be violently torn
off, and this could cause you or other drivers to
have a collision, and of course damage your
vehicle. You may be able to carry something like
this inside. But, never carry something longer
or wider than the luggage carrier on top of
your vehicle.
A luggage carrier allows you to load things on top of
your vehicle. The luggage carrier has side rails attached
to the roof, sliding crossrails (if equipped) and places
to use for tying things down. These let you load
some other things on top of your vehicle, as long as
they are not wider or longer than the luggage carrier.To slide the crossrails to where you want them, pull up
on the lever on each side of the crossrail. This will
release the crossrail and allow you to slide it. When the
crossrail is where you want it, press down on the
levers to lock it into place.
Notice:Loading cargo on the luggage carrier that
weighs more than 220 lbs (100 kg) or hangs over
the rear or sides of the vehicle may damage
your vehicle. Load cargo so that it rests on the
slats as far forward as possible and against the
side rails, making sure to fasten it securely.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, seeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-46.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier
is locked and cargo is still securely fastened.
When the luggage carrier is not in use, place the
crossrails at the following positions for wind noise
reduction. Place one crossrail at the rear most point of
the vehicle and the other crossrail above the opening
of the rear door.
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Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the
Certication/Tire label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information Label
A. Vehicle Capacity Weight
The Tire and Loading Information label is attached to
the center pillar, near the driver’s door latch. Vehicles
without a center pillar will have the Tire and Loading
Information label attached to the driver’s door edge.
This label lists the number of people that can be in your
vehicle and the total weight it can carry. This weight
is called the vehicle capacity weight.
The Tire and Loading Information label also tells you
the size and recommended ination pressure for
the original equipment tires on your vehicle. For more
information on tires and ination seeTires on page 5-59
andInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-67.
4-46

If your vehicle does not have the Tire and Loading
Information label, the Certication/Tire label shows the
tire size and recommended ination pressures
needed to obtain the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
the front and rear axles. See “Certication/Tire Label”
later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX
pounds” on your vehicle placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.4. The resulting gure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be ve
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs. (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-53for important
information on towing a trailer, towing safety rules
and trailering tips.
4-47

Loading Your Vehicle
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for Example 1=1,000 lbs.
(453 kg)
BSubtract
Occupant Weight
150 lbs. (68 kg)×2=300 lbs.
(136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant
and Cargo Weight =700 lbs.
(317 kg)
Loading Your Vehicle
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for Example 2=1,000 lbs.
(453 kg)
BSubtract
Occupant Weight
150 lbs. (68 kg)×5=750 lbs.
(340 kg)
CAvailable
Cargo Weight =250 lbs.
(113 kg) Example 1
Example 2
4-48

Loading Your Vehicle
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for Example 3=1,000 lbs.
(453 kg)
BSubtract
Occupant Weight
200 lbs. (91 kg)×5=1,000 lbs.
(453 kg)
CAvailable
Cargo Weight =0 lbs.
(0 kg)Refer to your vehicle’s tire and loading information label
for specic information about your vehicle’s capacity
weight and seating positions. The combined weight of the
driver, passengers and cargo should never exceed your
vehicle’s capacity weight.
Example 3
4-49

Certication/Tire Label
The Certication/Tire label is found on the driver’s door
edge, above the door latch. The label shows the size
of your original tires and the ination pressures needed
to obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle.This is called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, cargo and trailer tongue weight, if pulling
a trailer.
The Certication/Tire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To nd 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.
If you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Similar appearing vehicles may have different GVWRs
and payloads. Please note your vehicle’s
Certication/Tire label or consult your dealer for
additional details.
4-50

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. If you have a lot of options, equipment,
passengers or cargo in your vehicle, it will reduce the
tongue weight your vehicle can carry, which will
also reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow.
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 for more
information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to
15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight, up to a
maximum or 400 lbs. (181 kg) with a weight carrying
hitch. The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent
to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight, up to a
maximum of 900 lbs. (408 kg) with a weight distributing
hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight
for your vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch extension
that will position the hitch ball closest to the vehicle.
This will help reduce the effect of trailer tongue weight
on the rear axle.
4-56

Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Ination Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat from
driving. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-67.
Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor vehicle
with standard and optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, seeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-46.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle, seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-46.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-46.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire, that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
There are 6.9 kPa’s to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on light duty
trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.
Load Index:An assigned number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Ination Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire may be inated. The
maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible ination pressure for that tire.
5-65