Driving Your Vehicle
6-58
Two labels on your driver’s door sill show 
how much weight your vehicle was 
designed to carry: the Tire and Loading 
Information Label and the Certification 
Label.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize 
yourself with the following terms for 
determining your vehicle’s weight 
ratings, from the vehicle’s specifications 
and the Certification Label:
Base curb weight
This is the weight of the vehicle 
including a full tank of fuel and all 
standard equipment. It does not 
include passengers, cargo, or optional 
equipment.
Vehicle curb weight
This is the weight of your new vehicle 
when you picked it up from your dealer 
plus any aftermarket equipment.
Cargo weight
This figure includes all weight added to 
the Base Curb Weight, including cargo 
and optional equipment.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)
This is the total weight placed on each 
axle (front and rear) - including vehicle 
curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight 
that can be carried by a single axle (front 
or rear). These numbers are shown on 
the Certification Label. The total load on 
each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
This is the Base Curb Weight plus actual 
Cargo Weight plus passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight 
of the fully loaded vehicle (including 
all options, equipment, passengers 
and cargo). The GVWR is shown on the 
Certification Label located on the driver’s 
door sill.
VEHICLE LOAD LIMIT