miles (kilometers) at low speeds in the 3 hour period before the tire
pressure is measured or adjusted.
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, air conditioner, and addi-
tional weight of optional equipment.
Extra load tire
A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher inflation pres-
sures than the corresponding standard tire.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The load-carrying capacity of a single axle system, measured where
the tire contacts the ground.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The maximum loaded weight of the vehicle.
Groove
The space between 2 adjacent tread ribs.
Load rating (code)
The maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given inflation
pressure. You may not find this information on all tires because it is
not required by law.
Maximum load rating
The load rating for a tire at the maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure for that tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The total of:
Curb weight.
Accessory weight.
Vehicle capacity weight.
Production options weight.
Maximum (permissible) inflation pressure
The maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated.
Also called “maximum inflation pressure.”
There are limits to the load any vehicle or any tire can carry. A vehicle
that is overloaded will not handle well and is more difficult to stop.
Overloading can damage important parts of the vehicle. Overloading
can also lead to blowout, sudden loss of pressure or other tire failure
that can cause loss of control.
Your safety and the safety of your passengers depends on making
sure that load limits are not exceeded. Vehicle load includes every-
body and everything in and on the vehicle. These load limits are
technically referred to as the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight of the basic vehicle, all factory-
installed and other accessories, a full tank of fuel, oil, coolant and
other fluids plus maximum load. The maximum load includes the
number of passengers that the vehicle is intended to carry (seating
capacity) with an assumed weight of 150 lbs (68 kg) for each passen-
ger at a designated seating position and the total weight of any lug-
gage in the vehicle. If you tow a trailer, the weight of the trailer hitch
and the tongue weight of the loaded trailer must be included as part
of the vehicle weight. At altitudes above 3000 ft (1000 m), combined
towing weight (vehicle plus trailer) must be reduced by 10% for every
3000 ft (1000 m).
The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum load that
can be carried at each of the vehicle's 2 axles (by the front or rear
tires). GVWR and GAWR are listed on the safety compliance label on
the driver door jamb. Because there is an upper limit to your vehicle's
total weight (GVWR), the weight of whatever is being carried (includ-
ing the weight of a trailer hitch and the tongue weight of the loaded
trailer) is also limited. More passengers, or passengers who are heav-
ier than the assumed 150 lbs (68 kg), mean that less weight can be
carried as luggage or other cargo. The tire pressure label on your
Volkswagen also lists the maximum combined weight of all of the oc-
cupants and luggage or other cargo that the vehicle can carry.
