VEHICLE LOADING
Certification Label
As required by National Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration regulations, your vehicle has a certification label
affixed to the driver’s side door or pillar.
This label contains the month and year of manufacture,
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) front and rear, and Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN). A Month-Day-Hour (MDH) number is
included on this label and indicates the Month, Day and
Hour of manufacture. The bar code that appears on the
bottom of the label is your VIN.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
including driver, passengers, vehicle, options and cargo.
The label also specifies maximum capacities of front andrear axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be limited so
GVWR and front and rear GAWR are not exceeded.
Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load
weight a truck can carry, including the weight of the
driver, all passengers, options and cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the front
and rear axles. The load must be distributed in the cargo
area so that the GAWR of each axle is not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the components in the
system with the lowest load carrying capacity (axle,
springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles or suspension
components sometimes specified by purchasers for in-
creased durability does not necessarily increase the vehi-
cle’s GVWR.
528 STARTING AND OPERATING
Tire Size
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label represents
the actual tire size on your vehicle. Replacement tires
must be equal to the load capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size
listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo
loaded into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weightvalues are determined by weighing your vehicle on a
commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are
added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the front and
rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be determined
by weighing it when it is loaded and ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commer-
cial scale to insure that the GVWR has not been exceeded.
The weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should
then be determined separately to be sure that the load is
properly distributed over the front and rear axle. Weigh-
ing the vehicle may show that the GAWR of either the
front or rear axles has been exceeded but the total load is
within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as appropriate until the
specified weight limitations are met. Store the heavier
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 529
exceed the GVWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle
Certification Label” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tem-
porary) loaded in or on the trailer in itsloaded and
ready for operation condition. The recommended way to
measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a
vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be
supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
and trailer when weighed in combination.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certifica-
tion Label” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have a collision.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the
hitch ball by the trailer. In most cases it should not be less
than 10% of the trailer load. You must consider this as
part of the load on your vehicle.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 531
WARNING!(Continued)
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized.
Towing Requirements — Tires
• Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures. •
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
• Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for proper
inspection procedure.
• When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for proper tire
replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
• Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
544 STARTING AND OPERATING
•An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
• Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
WARNING!
• Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have a
collision.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you. Failure to do so could result in a
collision.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 545
Oil Change Indicator...................... .319
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..................319
Oil, Engine ............................. .584
Capacity ............................ .632
Change Interval ....................... .332
Dipstick ............................. .584
Disposal ............................. .586
Filter ............................... .587
Filter Disposal ........................ .586
Identification Logo ..................... .585
Materials Added to ..................... .586
Pressure Warning Light ...................309
Recommendation ...................... .585
Synthetic ............................ .586
Viscosity ............................ .586
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... .587
Oil Pressure Light ........................ .309
Onboard Diagnostic System ..................580
Operating Precautions ..................... .580Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)
.............6
Outside Rearview Mirrors ...................115
Overdrive .............................. .436
Overdrive OFF Switch ..................... .436
Overheating, Engine ...................... .313
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .............6
Paint Care ..............................611
Panic Alarm ..............................27
Parking Brake ........................... .462
Passing Light ........................... .173
Personal Settings ......................... .339
Pets .................................. .102
Pets, Transporting ........................ .102
Phone, Cellular ...........................118
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect®) ...............118
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ..........491
Power Door Locks ............................42
10
INDEX 667
SteeringPower .............................. .461
Tilt Column .......................... .180
Wheel Lock ............................17
Wheel, Tilt ........................... .180
Steering Wheel Audio Controls ...............397
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System Controls . . .397
Storage ............................... .627
Storage, Behind the Seat ....................193
Storage, Vehicle .......................... .410
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... .627
Stuck, Freeing ........................... .570
Sunrider ............................... .287
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ..........65
Sway Bar Disconnect, Electronic ...............445
Swing Gate, Rear ..........................48
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... .586
System, Remote Starting .....................30 Tachometer
............................. .312
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ..........404
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant ............313
Tilt Steering Column ...................... .180
Tip Start ............................... .419
Tire and Loading Information Placard ...........490
Tire Markings ........................... .484
Tires ................................. .107
Aging (Life of Tires) .....................504
Air Pressure .......................... .495
Chains .............................. .506
Changing ............................ .559
Compact Spare ........................ .501
General Information .....................495
High Speed .......................... .498
Inflation Pressures ...................... .496
Jacking .............................. .559
Life of Tires .......................... .504
Load Capacity ........................ .490
10
INDEX 671