- It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area inside the vehicle.

In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed.

- Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.

- Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a seat belt properly.

Terms

It is important to familiarize yourself with the following terms before loading your vehicle:
- Curb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle) - vehicle weight including:
standard and optional equipment, fluids, emergency tools, and spare tire assembly. This weight does not include passengers and cargo.

- GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb weight plus the combined weight of passengers and cargo.

- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) - maximum total combined weight of the unloaded vehicle, passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue load and any other optional equipment. This information is located on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.

label.

- GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) - maximum weight (load) limit specified for the front or rear axle. This information is located on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.

S.S. label.

- GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) - The maximum total weight rating of the vehicle, passengers, cargo, and trailer.

- Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load limit, Total load capacity - maximum total weight limit specified of the load (passengers and cargo) for the vehicle.

This is the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo that can be loaded into the vehicle. If the vehicle is used to tow a trailer, the trailer tongue weight must be included as part of the cargo load. This information is located on the Tire and Loading Information label.

- Cargo capacity - permissible weight of cargo, the subtracted weight of occupants from the load limit.

Vehicle load capacity

Do not exceed the load limit of your vehicle shown as “The combined weight of occupants and cargo” on the Tire and Loading Information label. Do not exceed the number of occupants shown as “Seating Capacity” on the Tire and Loading Information label.

To get “the combined weight of occupants and cargo”, add the weight of all occupants, then add the total luggage weight.

Examples are shown in the following illustration.

Steps for determining correct load limit

1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” 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 passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.

4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the XXX amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.

(1400 − 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs) or (640 − 340 (5 x 70) = 300 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.

6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.

Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm that you do not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for your vehicle.

(See “Measurement of weights” later in this section.) Also check tires for proper inflation pressures.

See the Tire and Loading Information label.

Securing the load

There are tie down hooks located in the cargo area as shown. The tie down hooks can be used to secure cargo with ropes or other types of straps.

Do not apply a total load of more than 22 lb. (98 N) to a single hook A or 7 lb. (31 N) to a single hook B (if so equipped) when securing cargo.

- Properly secure all cargo with ropes or straps to help prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do not place cargo higher than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or collision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury.

- The child restraint top tether strap may be damaged by contact with items in the cargo area. Secure any items in the cargo area. Your child could be seriously injured or killed in a collision if the top tether strap is damaged.

- Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or the maximum front and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts of your vehicle can break, tire damage could occur, or it can change the way your vehicle handles.

This could result in loss of control and cause personal injury.

Loading tips

- The GVW must not exceed GVWR or GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S./ C.M.V.S.S. certification label.

- Do not load the front and rear axle to the GAWR. Doing so will exceed the GVWR.

- Properly secure all cargo with ropes or straps to help prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do not place cargo higher than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or collision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury.

- Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or the maximum front and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts of your vehicle can break, tire damage could occur, or it can change the way your vehicle handles. This could result in loss of control and cause personal injury.

- Overloading not only can shorten the life of your vehicle and the tire, but can cause unsafe vehicle handling and longer braking distances. This may cause a premature tire failure, which could result in a serious accident and personal injury.

Failures caused by overloading are not covered by the vehicle’s warranty.

Measurement of weights

Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts that could affect the balance of your vehicle. When the vehicle is loaded, drive to a scale and weigh the front and the rear wheels separately to determine axle loads.

Individual axle loads should not exceed either of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR). The total of the axle loads should not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These ratings are given on the vehicle certification label. If weight ratings are exceeded, move or remove items to bring all weights below the ratings.