Driving your vehicle
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Vehicle weight
To find out the actual loads on your front
and rear axles, you need to go to a
weigh station and weigh your vehicle.
Your dealer can help you with this. Be
sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Over loading
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehi
-
cle, the GAWR for either the front or rear
axle and vehicle capacity weight.
Exceeding these ratings can affect your
vehicle's handling and braking ability.
The label will help you decide how much
cargo and installed equipment your
vehicle can carry.
If you carry items inside your vehicle -
like suitcases, tools, packages, or any
-
thing else - they are moving as fast as
the vehicle. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, the items
will keep going and can cause an injury
if they strike the driver or a passenger.
Over loading
Do not overload your vehicle. Overload
-
ing your vehicle can cause heat buildup
in your vehicle's tires and possible tire
failure, increased stopping distances
and poor vehicle handling--all of which
may result in a crash.
Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Do not overload your
vehicle.
Vehicle weight
This section will guide you in the proper
loading of your vehicle, to keep your
loaded vehicle weight within its design
rating capability. Properly loading your
vehicle will provide maximum return of
the vehicle design performance. Before
loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself
with the following terms for determining
your vehicle's weight ratings, from the
vehicle's specifications and the certifica
-
tion label:
Base curb weight
This is the weight of the vehicle includ
-
ing a full tank of fuel and all standard
equipment. It does not include passen
-
gers, 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.
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