9-18Technical and consumer information
loaded into the vehicle. If the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer, the trailer tongue
weight must be included as part of the
cargo load. This information is located
on the Tire and Loading Information
label.
. Cargo capacity - permissible weight of
cargo, the weight of total occupants
weight subtracted from the load limit.
STI0365
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY
Do not exceed the load limit of your vehicle
shown as “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo” on the Tire and Loading
Information label. Do not exceed the
number of occupants shown as “Seating
Capacity” on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label.
To get “the combined weight of occupants
and cargo”, add the weight of all occu-
pants, then add the total luggage weight.
Examples are shown in the illustration.
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 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 or
640 −340 (5 x 70) = 300 kg.)
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 avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm
that you do not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for your vehicle.
(See “Measurement of weights” (P.9-19) .)
Also check tires for proper inflation pres-
sures. See the Tire and Loading Information
label.LOADING TIPS
. The GVW must not exceed GVWR or
GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S./
C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
. Do not load the front and rear axle to
the GAWR. Doing so will exceed the
GVWR.
WARNING
.Properly secure all cargo to help
prevent it from sliding or shift-
ing. Do not place cargo higher
than the seatbacks. In a sudden
stop or collision, unsecured car-
go could cause personal injury.
. Do not load your vehicle any
heavier than the GVWR or the
maximum front and rear
GAWRs. If you do, parts of your
vehicle can break, tire damage
could occur, or it can change the
way your vehicle handles. This
could result in loss of control
and cause personal injury. .
Overloading could not only
shorten the life of your vehicle
and the tires, but also could lead
to hazardous vehicle handling
and long braking distance. This
may cause a premature tire
malfunction, which could result
in a serious accident and perso-
nal injury. Failures caused by
overloading are not covered by
the vehicle’s warranty.
MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts
that could affect the balance of your
vehicle. When the vehicle is loaded, drive
to a scale and weigh the front and the rear
wheels separately to determine axle loads.
Individual axle loads should not exceed
either of the gross axle weight ratings
(GAWR). The total of the axle loads should
not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) . These ratings are given on the
vehicle certification label. If weight ratings
are exceeded, move or remove items to
bring all weights below the ratings.
Technical and consumer information9-19
