2008 SATURN VUE weight

4.The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1,400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs (1,400−750 (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 4-44for important
information on towing a trailer, towing safety
rules and trailering tips.
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)
Example 1
4-37
ProCarManuals.com

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 Occupant
and Cargo Weight =250 lbs (113 kg)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 Occupant
and 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.
Example 2Example 3
4-38
ProCarManuals.com

The combined weight of the driver, passengers
and cargo should never exceed your vehicle’s
maximum vehicle capacity weight.
Certication/Tire Label
A vehicle specic Certication/Tire label is
attached to the lower area of the center pillar
(B-pillar). The label shows the gross weightcapacity 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 your
vehicle is 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/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
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
4-39
ProCarManuals.com

Similar looking vehicles may have different
GVWRs and payloads. Please consult your
vehicle’s Certication/Tire label or your retailer
for additional details.
{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.
Using heavier suspension components to get
added durability might not change your vehicle’s
weight ratings. Ask your dealer/retailer to help you
load your vehicle correctly if you are using these
components.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.If 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 will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
4-40
ProCarManuals.com

Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment. To identify the trailering
capacity of your vehicle, you should read the information
in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used
properly.
That is the reason for this part. 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,
transmission, rear axle, 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:
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 will be driving. A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
Do not tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(805 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (805 km) that you tow
a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and do
not make starts at full throttle. This helps your engine
and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
You may want to shift to a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often (e.g., under heavy loads
and/or hilly conditions). Using a lower gear will
minimize heat buildup and extend the life of your
transmission.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Do not drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers, or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h), to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
Do not tow a trailer when the outside temperature is
above 100°F (38°C).
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires
4-45
ProCarManuals.com

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig.
For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. It can also depend on any special
equipment that you have on your vehicle, and the amount
of tongue weight the vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the
Trailer Tongue” later in this section for more information.Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Look in the following chart to nd the maximum trailer
weight for your vehicle.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt. *GCWR
2WD (2.4L L4 Engine) 3.91 1,500 lbs (680 kg) 5,375 lbs (2 438 kg)
2WD (3.6L V6 Engine) 2.77 3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 7,800 lbs (3 538 kg)
AWD (3.5L V6 Engine) 2.77 3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 8,000 lbs (3 629 kg)
AWD (3.6L V6 Engine)** 2.77 3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 8,000 lbs (3 629 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
**The VUE Red Line should not be used to tow a trailer.
You can ask your dealer/retailer for trailering information
or advice.
4-46
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. 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 tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load
to the GVW because your vehicle will be carrying
that weight, too. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-35
for more information about your vehicle’s maximum
load capacity.If you are using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B). If you are using a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12 percent
of the total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you have loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Trailering may be limited by the vehicle’s ability to carry
tongue weight. Tongue weight cannot cause the vehicle
to exceed the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or
the RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating). The effect
of additional weight may reduce your trailering capacity
more than the total of the additional weight.
4-47
ProCarManuals.com

Consider the following example:
A vehicle model base weight is 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg);
2,800 lbs (1 270 kg) at the front axle and 2,700 lbs
(1 225 kg) at the rear axle. It has a GVWR of 7,200 lbs
(3 266 kg), a RGAWR of 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) and a
GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) of
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg). The trailer rating should be:
You can expect tongue weight to be at least 10 percent
of trailer weight (850 lbs (386 kg)) and because the
weight is applied well behind the rear axle, the effect on
the rear axle will be greater than just the weight itself, as
much as 1.5 times as much. The weight at the rear axle
could be 850 lbs (386 kg) X 1.5 = 1,275 lbs (578 kg).
Since the rear axle already weighs 2,700 lbs (1 225 kg),
adding 1,275 lbs (578 kg) brings the total to 3,975 lbs
(1 803 kg). This is very close to, but within the limit for
RGAWR as well. The vehicle is set to trailer up to
8,500 lbs (3 856 kg).But let us say your specic vehicle is equipped with
some of the latest options and you have a front seat
passenger and two rear seat passengers with some
luggage and gear in the vehicle as well. You may
add 300 lbs (136 kg) to the front axle weight and
400 lbs (181 kg) to the rear axle weight. Your vehicle
now weighs:
Weight is still below 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) and you may
think that you should subtract 700 additional pounds
(318 kg) from your trailering capacity to stay within
GCWR limits. Your maximum trailer would only be
7,800 lbs (3 538 kg). You may go further and think you
must limit tongue weight to less than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
to avoid exceeding GVWR. But, you must still consider
the effect on the rear axle. Because your rear axle now
weighs 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), you can only put 900 lbs
(408 kg) on the rear axle without exceeding RGAWR.
4-48
ProCarManuals.com