3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, andspare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section
of this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this section. To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” 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 pas- sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount ofcargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if
“XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will
be five 150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs (295 kg) (since 5 x 150 lbs (68 kg) = 750 lbs
(340 kg), and 1400 lbs (635 kg) – 750 lbs (340 kg) =
650 lbs [295 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. NOTE:
•
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. The follow-
ing table shows examples on how to calculate total
load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your
vehicle with varying seating configurations and num-
ber and size of occupants. This table is for illustration
purposes only and may not be accurate for the seating
and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
• For the following example, the combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs
(392 kg).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 233
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue weight.
The total load must be limited so that you do not 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 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 Certification
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 265
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
• Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire. •
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 the
proper inspection procedure.
• When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting And Operating” for the proper
tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a
higher load carrying capacity will not increase the
vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
274 STARTING AND OPERATING
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.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
Trailer Electrical Connector Location
1 — Four-Pin Connector Location
2 — Seven-Pin Connector Location
276 STARTING AND OPERATING
Clean Air Gasoline....................... .256
Cold Weather Operation ....................195
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............185
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .241
Console, Overhead ........................114
Contract, Service ......................... .385
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........342
Cooling System .......................... .338
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............340
Coolant Capacity ...................... .370
Coolant Level ......................... .339
Disposal of Used Coolant .................343
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................339
Inspection ........................... .343
Points to Remember .....................343
Pressure Cap ......................... .342
Radiator Cap ......................... .342
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............339
Corrosion Protection ...................... .348Cruise Light
............................ .131
Cupholders ..............................119
Customer Assistance ...................... .383
Data Recorder, Event .......................51
Dealer Service ........................... .325
Defroster, Windshield .......................66
Diagnostic System, Onboard .................322
Dimmer Control ...........................91
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................93
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ..................348
Oil (Engine) .......................... .327
Power Steering .........................211
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................316
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................343
Door Locks ..............................21
Door Locks, Automatic ......................23
394 INDEX
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... .329
Tachometer ............................. .131
Telescoping Steering Column .................100
Tire and Loading Information Placard ...........231
TIREFIT ............................... .286
Tire Markings ........................... .225
Tires...................................67 Aging (Life of Tires) .....................244
Air Pressure .......................... .235
Chains .............................. .247
Compact Spare ........................ .241
General Information .....................235
High Speed .......................... .238
Inflation Pressures ...................... .236
Life of Tires .......................... .244
Load Capacity ........................ .231
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............249
Pressure Warning Light ...................138 Quality Grading
....................... .389
Radial .............................. .238
Replacement .......................... .245
Rotation ............................. .248
Safety .............................. .225
Sizes ............................... .226
Snow Tires ........................... .239
Spinning ............................ .243
Trailer Towing ........................ .274
Tread Wear Indicators ....................244
Tire Safety Information .....................225
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................271
Torque Converter Clutch ....................207
Towing ............................... .264
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .316
Guide .............................. .268
Recreational .......................... .279
W
eight .............................. .268
Traction ............................... .208
404 INDEX