2008 SATURN ASTRA load capacity

Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any stability
system. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 8-19. Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, or with a manual
transmission, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R),
spinning the wheels as little as
possible. To prevent transmission
wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears.Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when
the transmission is in gear. By slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that could
free your vehicle. If that does not get
your vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If your
vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 9-72.
Loading the 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 label.
8-30 Driving and Operating
ProCarManuals.com

{CAUTION
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). If you do, parts on
the 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 the vehicle.Tire and Loading Information
Label
A vehicle specic Tire and
Loading Information label
is attached to the vehicle’s
center pillar (B-pillar). With the
driver’s door open, you will
nd the label attached below
the door lock post. The Tireand Loading Information label
shows the number of occupant
seating positions (A), and
the maximum vehicle capacity
weight (B) in kilograms and
pounds.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
tire size of the original equipment
tires (C) and the recommended
cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and
ination seeTires on page 9-38
andInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-46.
There is also important loading
information on the Certication
label. It tells you the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and
rear axle; see “Certication
Label” later in this section.
Label Example
Driving and Operating 8-31
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Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1.Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs”
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 kg or XXX lbs.
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.
The vehicle is neither designed
nor intended to tow a trailer.
A.Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 1=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×2=300 lbs
(136 kg).
C.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight=700 lbs
(317 kg).
Example 1
8-32 Driving and Operating
ProCarManuals.com

A.Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 2=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×5=750 lbs
(340 kg).
C.Available Cargo
Weight=250 lbs (113 kg).
A.Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 3=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant
Weight 200 lbs
(91 kg)×5=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
C.Available Cargo
Weight=0 lbs (0 kg).
Refer to the vehicle’s Tire and
Loading Information label for
specic information about thevehicle’s capacity weight and
seating positions. The combined
weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle’s capacity weight.
Certication Label
A vehicle specic Certication
label, found on the rear edge
of the driver’s door, tells you
the gross weight capacity of
the vehicle, called the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Example 2Example 3
Label Example
Driving and Operating 8-33
ProCarManuals.com

(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to indicate
the type of ply construction in
the tire. The letter R means
radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or
bias ply construction; and the
letter B means belted-bias
ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These characters represent the
load range and speed rating
of the tire. The load index
represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certied to
carry. The load index can range
from 1 to 279. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certied to carry a load.
Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and
Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch
of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means
the combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples
of optional accessories are,
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire’s height to its width.
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 Tire 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.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-46.
Curb Weight
: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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-43
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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
(DOT) 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 the Vehicle
on page 8-30.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 8-30.
GAWR RR
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the rear axle.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 8-30.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.
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
can 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.Maximum Loaded Vehicle
Weight
:The sum of curb
weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight, and
production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight
:The
number of occupants a vehicle
is designed to seat multiplied by
150 lbs (68 kg). SeeLoading
the Vehicle on page 8-30.
Occupant Distribution
:Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall
:The side of an asymmetrical tire
that has a particular side that
faces outward when mounted on
a vehicle. The side of the tire
that contains a whitewall,
bears white lettering, or bears
manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that
is higher or deeper than the
same moldings on the
other sidewall of the tire.
9-44 Vehicle Service and Care
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Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used on passenger cars
and some light duty trucks
and multipurpose vehicles.
Recommended Ination
Pressure
:Vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended
tire ination pressure as shown
on the tire placard. See
Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-46andLoading
the Vehicle on page 8-30.
Radial Ply Tire
:A pneumatic
tire in which the ply cords that
extend to the beads are laid
at 90 degrees to the centerline
of the tread.
Rim
:A metal support for a tire
and upon which the tire beads
are seated.
Sidewall
:The portion of a tire
between the tread and the bead.
Speed Rating
:An alphanumeric
code assigned to a tire indicating
the maximum speed at which a
tire can operate.Traction
:The friction between
the tire and the road surface.
The amount of grip provided.
Tread
:The portion of a tire that
comes into contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators
:Narrow
bands, sometimes called wear
bars, that show across the tread
of a tire when only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) of tread remains.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 9-53.
UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards)
:A tire
information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a
tire’s traction, temperature,
and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers
using government testing
procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the
tire. SeeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 9-56.Vehicle Capacity Weight
:The number of designated
seating positions multiplied
by 150 lbs (68 kg) plus the
rated cargo load. SeeLoading
the Vehicle on page 8-30.
Vehicle Maximum Load on
the Tire
:Load on an individual
tire due to curb weight,
accessory weight, occupant
weight, and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard
:A label
permanently attached to a
vehicle showing the vehicle’s
capacity weight and the original
equipment tire size and
recommended ination pressure.
See “Tire and Loading
Information Label” under
Loading the Vehicle on
page 8-30.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-45
ProCarManuals.com

Ination - Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount
of air pressure to operate
effectively.
Notice:Do not let anyone tell
you that under-ination or
over-ination is all right. It is
not. If your tires do not have
enough air (under-ination),
you can get the following:
Too much exing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Premature or irregular wear
Poor handling
Reduced fuel economy
If your tires have too much air
(over-ination), you can get
the following:
Unusual wear
Poor handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from
road hazardsA vehicle specic Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to your vehicle.
This label shows your vehicle’s
original equipment tires and
the correct ination pressures for
your tires when they are cold.
The recommended cold tire
ination pressure, shown on the
label, is the minimum amount
of air pressure needed to
support your vehicle’s maximum
load carrying capacity.
For additional information
regarding how much weight your
vehicle can carry, and an
example of the Tire and Loading
Information label, seeLoading
the Vehicle on page 8-30.
How you load your vehicle
affects vehicle handling and
ride comfort. Never load
your vehicle with more weight
than it was designed to carry.When to Check
Check your tires once a month
or more. Do not forget to
check the compact spare tire, it
should be at 60 psi (420 kPa).
For additional information
regarding the compact spare
tire, seeCompact Spare Tire on
page 9-67.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type
gage to check tire pressure.
You cannot tell if your tires are
properly inated simply by
looking at them. Radial tires may
look properly inated even
when they are under-inated.
Check the tire’s ination
pressure when the tires are
cold. Cold means your vehicle
has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more
than 1 mile (1.6 km).
9-46 Vehicle Service and Care
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