2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE load capacity

Trailer Hitch
231
Loading InformationDefinitionsThe towing capacity (gross weight of the trailer)
is the sum of the trailer's empty weight and the
weight of the load.
The vertical coupling load is the weight that the
trailer drawbar exerts on the trailer coupling of the
vehicle.
The rear-axle load is the vehicle weight on the
rear axle plus the weight of the transported load
and the vertical coupling load of the trailer.
The gross weight of the vehicle and trailer is
the sum of the weight of the towing vehicle and the
weight of the trailer.
The Curb weight - actual weight of your vehicle -
vehicle weight including standard and optional
equipment, fluids, emergency tools, and spare tire
assembly. This weight does not include passen-
gers and cargo.
The Gross Vehicle Weight is sum of the curb
weight and the weight of passengers and cargo
combined.
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the
maximum total weight of vehicle, passengers,
luggage, hitch, trailer tongue load and optional
equipment.The Gross Axle Weight Rating is the maximum
load limit for the front or the rear axle. This infor-
mation is located on the safety comliance sticker
located in the driver’s side door jamb.
For determining the compatibility of the tire and
vehicle load capabilities:
fPlease see the chapter “TIRES, RIMS, TRACKS”
on Page 350.
The load capacity coefficient (e.g. “106”) is a
minimum requirement. For more information:
fPlease see the chapter “INSCRIPTION ON
RADIAL TIRE” on Page 290.
The Gross Combined Weight Rating is the
maximum total weight rating of vehicle, passen-
gers, cargo and trailer.
The Vehicle Capacity Weight - Load Limit - is
the maximum total weight limit specified of the
load (passengers and cargo) for the vehicle. This
is the maximum weight of passengers and cargo
that can be loaded into the vehicle. This informa-
tion can be found on the tire pressure plate.
If a trailer is being towed, the trailer tongue weight
must be included as part of the cargo load.
The maximum loaded vehicle weight is the
sum of curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle
capacity weight and production options weight.
The load rating is the maximum load that a tire
is rated to carry for a given inflation pressure.The maximum load rating is the load rating for
a tire at the maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure.
The cargo capacity is the permissible weight of
cargo, the subtracted weight of passengers from
the load limit.
fNever exceed the permissible limits.
Danger!
Risk of personal injury or death.
Injuries are much more likely in an accident
if persons ride in the cargo area.
fPersons must ride only on the seats provided
for this purpose.
fMake sure that everybody fastens their safety
belts.
Risk of loss of control, damage to the vehicle
and serious personal injury or death.
fNever exceed the specified axle loads. Over-
loading can shorten the service life of the tires
and car, as well as lead to dangerous vehicle
reactions and long braking distances. Damage
due to overloading is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
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232
Tr a i l e r H i t c h
Example for determining the combined weight of occu-
pants and cargoVehicle Load CapacityfThe combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed the weight shown on the
tire plate in the vehicle.
Please see the chapter “TIRE PRESSURE
PLATE” on Page 348.
fNever exceed the number of passengers
shown on the tire pressure plate in the vehicle.Determining the combined weight of
occupants and cargo:
fAdd the weight of all occupants and then add
the total luggage weight (figure).
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’s placard (depending
on the date of manufacture).
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 figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400
lbs. and there will be five - 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, 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.
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234
Tr a i l e r H i t c h
Towing a trailer
Warning!
Driving with a trailer
fAlways see the permissible towing capacity,
vertical coupling load and rear-axle load.
Please see the chapter “WEIGHTS” on
Page 356.
fWhen connected, the trailer must always be
horizontal behind the towing vehicle. If neces-
sary, use a trailer with an adjustable drawbar.
fWhen the vehicle is driven in the mountains, the
engine output decreases as altitude increases.
The maximum weights stated are the values at
sea level. The total permissable weight of the
car-trailer combination must therefore be re-
duced by 10% for each increment of 3,280 ft.
(1,000 meters) altitude. A fractional increment
counts as the full 3,280 ft. (1,000 meters).
Please take this into consideration when plan-
ning your route.Distributing the load
fDistribute the load in the trailer so that heavy
objects are as close to the axle as possible.
Always safeguard all objects against slipping
and tie them down securely.
fYou should make the best possible use of the
trailer coupling's rated vertical coupling load
when loading the trailer, but never exceed it.
Tire pressure
fSelect the vehicle tire pressure for full load
when towing a trailer.
fPlease see the chapter “TIRE PRESSURES,
COLD (68 °F/20 °C)” on Page 354.
fCheck the tire pressure of the trailer's wheels
according to the manufacturer's instructions.Door mirrors
fIf the width of the trailer obstructs your view of
the traffic behind the trailer, you must have
additional door mirrors fitted.
Headlights, lights
fAlways check the headlight adjustment before
driving with a trailer.
If necessary, correct with the headlight beam
adjustment function.
fCheck whether the plug of the trailer is
plugged into the towing vehicle and whether all
lights function.
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Trailer Hitch
235
Driving with a trailer
When towing a trailer you must under all circum-
stances adapt your speed to prevailing road and
driving conditions. Towing at excessive speed can
result in loss of control. Observe country-specific
laws for driving with trailers.
fCarefully and gradually familiarize yourself with
the handling and braking behavior of the car-
trailer combination.
fDo not drive with the towing vehicle empty and
the trailer loaded.
If this unfavorable combination is unavoidable,
please drive especially slowly.
fBear in mind the different vehicle handling and
size in situations such as braking, parking,
cornering and overtaking, etc.
fThe driving stability of the car-trailer combina-
tion worsens as the speed increases. There-
fore, drive especially slowly on downhill
stretches and in the case of unfavorable road
and weather conditions (such as wind).
fDrive in an appropriately low gear on downhill
stretches in order to make use of the engine
braking effect.fSlow down immediately if the trailer starts to
sway. Do not countersteer; brake if necessary.
Never attempt to straighten out the car-trailer
combination by accelerating.
fActivate Low Range when moving off on steep
slopes.
fUnder no circumstances may people, animals
or objects be in the space between the trailer
and the towing vehicle when the vehicle is
moving.
fWhen reversing, bear in mind that ParkAssist is
not active.
fAlways see the permissible towing capacity,
vertical coupling load and rear-axle load.
Please see the chapter “WEIGHTS” on
Page 356.
Maintenance Note
fPlease take into consideration that driving with
a trailer places markedly greater stress on all
vehicle components. Expert inspection and
maintenance after every use are indispensable
prerequisites for proper functioning and safety.
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284
Minor Repairs Overloading
Danger!
Risk of damage to vehicle parts, loss of con-
trol and serious personal injury or death.
fDo not overload your vehicle. Be careful about
the roof load.
fIf loading the vehicle also correct the tire pres-
sure. Tire pressure for loaded vehicle can be
found on the tire pressure plate and in the
chapter technical data.
fNever exceed the specified axle load.
Overloading can shorten the service life of the
tires and car, as well as lead to dangerous
vehicle reactions and long braking distances.
Damage due to overloading is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
fPlease see the chapter “LOADING
INFORMATION” on Page 231.
Example of a tire pressure plateTire Pressure plateInformation on the tire pressure plate
A Seating capacity
Maximum number of vehicle occupants,
including the driver.B Vehicle load limit
Is the maximum total weight limit specified of
the load (passengers and cargo) for the vehi-
cle. This is the maximum weight of passengers
and cargo that can be loaded into the vehicle.
If a trailer is being towed, the trailer tongue
weight must be included as part of the cargo
load.
Please see the chapter “LOADING
INFORMATION” on Page 231.
C Original tire size
Size of tires mounted at the factory.
D Recommended cold tire inflation pressure
These values are for cold tires (68 °F/20 °C).
E Approved tire sizes
F Size and tire pressure for the collapsible spare
wheel
Tire traction
Warning!
When driving on wet or slushy roads, a
wedge of water may build up between the
tires and the road. This phenomenon is
known as “hydroplane“ and may cause par-
tial or complete loss of traction, vehicle con-
trol or stopping ability.
fReduce speed on wet surfaces to prevent this.
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288
Minor Repairs Note
Under no circumstances should tires older than
6 years be used on your Porsche.
The age of the tire can be obtained from the “DOT”
code number. If, for example, the last three num-
bers read 1208, then the tire was produced in the
12th week of 2008.
Snow tiresThe installation of Porsche approved winter tires is
recommended.
Use Porsche approved winter tires for grip on
snow and ice. For optimum performance, stud-
ding can be considered.
Check with your local Motor Vehicle Bureau for
possible restrictions.
Danger!
Risk of loss of control and damage to the
vehicle as well as serious personal injury or
death.
The standard tires profile and rubber mixture
are optimized for wet and dry driving condi-
tions, and may not prove favorable for snow
conditions.
fInstall winter tires before driving in such condi-tions.Before mounting winter tires, consult with your
Porsche dealer. He has the technical information
necessary to advise you on wheel and tire compa-
tibility.
fSnow tires should have the same load capacity
as original equipment tires and should be
mounted on all four wheels.
Winter tires with studs should be run at mode-
rate speeds when new in order to give the
studs time to settle.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure
increases increases risk of a tire failure and
resulting loss of control. Furthermore, low
tire pressure increases rate of wear of the
affected tires and cause damage.
Tires with badly worn treads and studs are
very dangerous and could cause accidents
resulting in serious personal injuries or
death.
fMake sure they are replaced immediately.
fDo not exceed the winter tire speed rating.
Snow tires do not have the same degree of trac-
tion on dry, wet or snowfree roads as normal tires.
Furthermore, snow tires wear rapidly under these
conditions.Maintenance Note
We recommend fitting winter tires on the vehicle at
temperatures below 45 °F (7 °C) since the driving
performance of summer tires is reduced at low
temperatures. Summer tires may be permanently
damaged at extremely low temperatures.
Winter tires do not fulfill their purpose if the tread
depth is less than 5/32 in. (4 mm).
Comply with all state and local laws gover-
ning snow tire and tread depth requirements.
Danger!
Risk of accident and serious personal injury
or death due to excessive speed.
fAlways check the maximum speed rating on
the tire sidewall on any tire on the vehicle.
fNever exceed the maximum speed rating of the tires.
Wheel change
fWhen wheels are removed, mark the direction
of rotation and position of each wheel.
Example: FR (front right), FL, RR and RL.
fAlways fit the wheels in accordance with the
markings.
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290
Minor Repairs
Example of InscriptionInscription on radial tireATire size
Example: P 255/55R18 109 Y
–P - The tire is designed for Passenger vehicle.
This information is not included on all tires.
–255 - Indication of tire width in mm
–55 - Indication of tire height to tire width ratio
in percent
–R - Belt type code letter for radial–18 - Indication of rim diameter in inches
–109 - Load capacity coefficient
–Y - Speed code letter
–XL (Extra Load) - Tire with increased load
rating
B TIN (Tire Identification Number)
Example: DOT xx xx xxxx xxxx
–DOT
The DOT symbol indicates that the tires com-
ply with the requirements of the US Depart-
ment of Transportation and provides informa-
tion about:
– first two-digit code means manufacture’s iden-
tification mark.
– second two-digit code means tire size.
– third four-digit code means tire type code.
– fourth four-digit code means date of manufac-
ture.
If, for example, the last four numbers read
1204, the tire was produced in the 12th week
of 2004.
C Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers in the tread and sidewalls
and their material composition.
D Maximum permissible inflation pressure
The maximum permissible cold inflation pressure
to which a tire can be inflated.
fDo not exceed the permissible inflation pres-
sure.
E Maximum Load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and pounds can
be carried by the tire. If you replace tires always
use a tire that has the same maximum load rating
as the factory installed tire.
FRadial
The identification indicates if the tire has radial
structure.
G Term of tubeless or tube tire
Identification for tubeless tires.
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Minor Repairs
321
Battery carefEnsure that battery is securely mounted.
fKeep terminals and connections clean and
properly tightened. Corrosion can be preven-
ted by coating the terminals and connections
with petroleum jelly or silicone spray.
fEnsure that vent caps are securely tightened to
prevent spillage.
Checking the electrolyte fluid level
(only on low-maintenance batteries)
Generally, the electrolyte level must be checked
more often in summer than in the winter, and more
often when driving long distances.
fWhen adding water, use only clean containers.
In no case may alcohol (e.g. window cleaner
residues) be permitted to enter the battery.
fUnscrew and open the filler vent caps of each
cell.
With the car on a level surface, the fluid level
should meet the indicator mark in each cell.
fIf necessary, top up with distilled water. Do not
use acid. Only fill up to the mark, otherwise the
electrolyte will overflow when the battery is
being charged and cause damage.
Winter operationDuring the winter months, battery capacity tends
to decrease as temperatures drop. Additionally,
more power is consumed while starting, and the
headlights, heater, rear window defogger, etc.,
are used more frequently.
Let your Porsche dealer test the battery's capaci-
ty before winter sets in.Vehicle storageIf the car stands for long periods in the garage or
workshop, the doors and lids should be closed.
fRemove the ignition key and, if necessary, dis-
connect the battery.
Notes on operation
fWhen the battery is disconnected, the alarm
system ceases to function.
If the vehicle was locked before the battery
was disconnected, the alarm will be triggered
when the battery is reconnected.
To deactivate the alarm system:
fLock the vehicle and unlock it again.
Alarm system, central locking
The status of the central locking and alarm system
is not changed by disconnecting the battery.Maintenance Notes
Even if you put your vehicle out of operation, the
battery still discharges.
The battery will discharge more quickly if your ve-
hicle is not driven on a daily basis over a distance
of several miles. The more often you drive your ve-
hicle, and the longer the distance driven on each
trip, the more opportunity the vehicle‘s charging
system will have to recharge the batteries.
fTo preserve its efficiency, charge the battery
about every 6 weeks.
fCheck the battery acid level and top off with
distilled water if necessary.
fStore a battery that has been removed in a
dark, cool place, but not subject to freezing.
Replacing the batteryThe service life of the battery is subject to normal
wear; it depends greatly on care, climatic conditi-
ons, and driving conditions (distances, loads).
fOnly use an original Porsche battery, with the
correct part number, as a replacement. Only
this battery meets the specific requirements of
the vehicle.
fPlease observe the disposal instructions for
batteries.
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