2009 CHEVROLET HHR load capacity

Roof Rack System
Your vehicle may be equipped with a roof rack system.
{CAUTION:
If something is carried on top of the vehicle that is
longer or wider than the luggage carrier — like
paneling, plywood, or a mattress — the wind can
catch it while the vehicle is being driven. This can
cause a driver to lose control. The item being
carried could be violently torn off, and this could
cause a collision, and damage the vehicle. Items
may be carried inside. Never carry something
longer or wider than the luggage carrier on top of
the vehicle.
Notice:Loading cargo on the luggage carrier that
weighs more than 150 lbs (68 kg) or hangs over
the rear 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.Notice:Loading cargo directly on the roof of the
vehicle may cause damage to the vehicle and would
not be covered under warranty. Do not place
cargo on the roof the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, seeLoading the Vehicle on
page 4-25.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you are driving,
check frequently to ensure your cargo is securely
fastened.
The roof rack system has siderails that are attached to
the roof. All cargo must be loaded on the luggage
carrier crossrails only.
Use GM accessory racks that are compatible with your
roof rack system, these are available at your GM dealer.
Convenience Net
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. The metal
rings in the cargo area can be used to attach the
convenience net for several uses. The net can be used
to attach items secured to the oor, to the rear liftgate
or liftgate glass. The net is not for larger, heavier loads.
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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 (striker).The tire and loading information label lists the
number of occupant seating positions (A), and the
maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) in kilograms
and pounds. The vehicle capacity weight includes
the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
The Tire and Loading Information label also lists the
tire size of the original equipment tires (C) and the
recommended cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and ination, see
Tires on page 5-53andInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-61.
There is also important loading information on the
Certication/Tire label. It tells you 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.
Label Example
4-26

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’s 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 for your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer (Automatic Transmission) on page 4-34or
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transmission) on
page 4-41for important information on towing a
trailer, towing safety rules, and trailering tips.
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Item Description Total
AMaximum Vehicle
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
maximum vehicle capacity weight and seating
positions. The combined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo should never exceed your
vehicle’s maximum vehicle capacity weight.
Example 3
4-29

Certication Label
A vehicle specic Certication/Tire label is found
on the rear edge of the driver’s door, or on the
vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar).
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, and cargo.The Certication/Tire label also tells you the
maximum weights for the front and rear axles,
called the 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.
{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.
Notice
:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
4-30

Towing a Trailer
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well — or even at
all. The driver and passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed. Ask your dealer/
retailer for advice and information about towing a
trailer with the vehicle.
The vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with an
automatic transmission and the proper trailer towing
equipment. If the vehicle is not equipped as stated
above, do not tow a trailer. To identify the trailering
capacity of the vehicle, read the information in “Weight
of the Trailer” that appears later in this section.Trailering is different than just driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, cooling, durability and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has 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 pulling a
trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, 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. Also, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
SS Package
If the vehicle has the SS package, it is neither designed
nor intended to tow a trailer.
4-34

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight
to measure because it affects the total gross weight of the
vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and the
people who will be riding in the vehicle. If there are a lot of
options, equipment, passengers or cargo in the vehicle, it
will reduce the tongue weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the vehicle can tow.
If towing a trailer, the tongue load must be added to the
GVW because the vehicle will be carrying that weight,
too. SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-25for more
information about the vehicle’s maximum load capacity.If using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer tongue (A)
should weigh 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer
weight (B).
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight for
the 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.
After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the
tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper.
If they are not, adjustments might be made 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 the trailering capacity
more than the total of the additional weight.
4-36

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:
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 is 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).If the vehicle has many options and there is a front seat
passenger and two rear seat passengers with some
luggage and gear in the vehicle as well. 300 lbs (136 kg)
could be added to the front axle weight and 400 lbs
(181 kg) to the rear axle weight. The vehicle now weighs:
Weight is still below 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) and you
might think 700 additional pounds (318 kg) should be
subtracted from the trailering capacity to stay within
GCWR limits. The maximum trailer would only be
7,800 lbs (3 538 kg). You may go further and think the
tongue weight should be limited to less than 1,000 lbs
(454 kg) to avoid exceeding GVWR. But the effect on the
rear axle must still be considered. Because the rear axle
now weighs 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), 900 lbs (408 kg) can be
put on the rear axle without exceeding RGAWR. The
effect of tongue weight is about 1.5 times the actual
weight. Dividing the 900 lbs (408 kg) by 1.5 leaves only
600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue weight that can be handled.
Since tongue weight is usually at least 10 percent of total
loaded trailer weight, expect that the largest trailer the
vehicle can properly handle is 6,000 lbs (2 721 kg).
4-37