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Definitions
The
rear-axle load
is the vehicle weight on the
rear axle plus the weight of the transported load.
The
Curb weight
– actual weight of your vehicle –
is the vehicle weight including standard and op-
tional equipment, fluids, and emergency tools.
This weight does not include passengers and
cargo.
The
Gross Vehicle Weight
is the sum of the curb
weight and the weight of passengers and cargo
combined.
The
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
is the maxi-
mum total weight of vehicle, passengers, luggage
and optional equipment.
The
Gross Axle Weight Rating
is the maximum
load limit for the front or the rear axle. This infor-
mation is located on the safety compliance sticker
located in the driver’s side door aperture area.
For determining the compatibility of the tire and
vehicle load capabilities:
>
Please see chapter "Tire pressure" on
page 305.
The load capacity coefficient (e.g. “106”) is a mini-
mum requirement. For more information:
>
Please see chapter "Wheels and Tires" on
page 278.
The
Gross Combined Weight Rating
is the max-
imum total weight rating of vehicle, passengers
and cargo.
The
Vehicle Capacity Weight
– Load Limit – is
the maximum total weight limit specified of the
load (passengers and cargo) for the vehicle. This is
the maximum weight of passengers and cargo that
can be loaded into the vehicle. This information
can be found on the tire pressure plate.
The
maximum loaded vehicle weight
is the sum
of curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle capacity
weight and production options weight.
The
load rating
is the maximum load that a tire is
rated to carry for a given inflation pressure.
The
maximum load rating
is the load rating for a
tire at the maximum permissible inflation pressure.
The
cargo capacity
is the permissible weight of
cargo, the subtracted weight of passengers from
the load limit.
e
Never exceed the permissible limits.
DANGER
Riding in a Cargo Area
Injuries are much more likely in an accident if per-
sons ride in the cargo area.
e
Persons must ride only on the seats provided
for this purpose.
e
Make sure that everybody fastens their seat
belts.
DANGER
Overloading Vehicle
Overloading will lead to dangerous vehicle reac-
tions and long braking distances.
e
Never exceed the specified axle loads.
NOTICE
Risk of damage to the vehicle if the vehicle is
overloaded.
Overloading can shorten the service life of the tires
and car. Damage due to overloading is not cov-
ered by the vehicle warranty.
e
Never exceed the specified axle loads.
Vehicle Load Capacity
Fig. 230: Example for determining the combined weight of
occupants and cargo
e
The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed the weight shown on the
tire pressure plate in the vehicle.
e
Never exceed the number of passengers
shown on the tire pressure plate in the vehicle.
Determining the combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo:
e
Add the weight of all occupants and then add
the total luggage weight (figure)
Steps for determining correct load limit:
1.
Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX
pounds” on your vehicle’s placard (depending
on the date of manufacture).
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 kilograms or XXX
pounds.
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
