STI0365
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY
Do not exceed the load limit of your
vehicle shown as“The combined
weight of occupants and cargo” on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. Do not exceed the number of
occupants shown as “Seating Capa-
city” on the Tire and Loading In-
formation label.
To get “the combined weight of
occupants and cargo” , add the
weight of all occupants, then add the total luggage weight. Examples
are shown in the illustration.
Steps for determining correct load
limit
1.Locate the statement
“The com-
bined 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 exam-
ple, if the XXX amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb. passengers in your vehi-
cle, 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 available
Technical and consumer information9-15
9-16Technical and consumer information
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 “Mea-
surement of weights” later in this
section.)
Also check tires for proper inflation
pressures. 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 axleto the GAWR. Doing so will exceed
the GVWR.
WARNING
.Properly secure all cargo to help
prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do not place cargo higher than the
seatbacks. In a sudden stop or
collision, unsecured cargo 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 short-
en 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 malfunc-
tion, which could result in a
serious accident and personal in-
jury. Failures caused by overload-
ing 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 sepa-
rately to determine axle loads. In-
dividual 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 re-
move items to bring all weights
below the ratings.
