STARTING AND OPERATING
195
Filling The Def Tank In Cold Climates
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic DEF
heating system. This allows the DEF injection
system to operate properly at temperatures below
12°F (-11°C). If your vehicle is not in operation for
an extended period of time with temperatures
below 12°F (-11°C), the DEF in the tank may
freeze. Do not overfill the DEF tank. If the tank is
overfilled and freezes, it could be damaged.
Extra care should be taken when filling with
portable containers to avoid overfilling. Keep an
eye on the DEF gauge in your instrument cluster.
You may safely add a maximum of 2 gallons
(7.6 Liters) when your DEF gauge is reading at the
half mark.
VEHICLE LOADING
G
ROSS
V
EHICLE
W
EIGHT
R
ATING
(GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your
vehicle including driver, passengers, vehicle,
options and cargo. The label also specifies
maximum capacities of front and rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). Total load must be limited
so GVWR and front and rear GAWR are not
exceeded.
P
AYLOAD
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable
load weight a truck can carry, including the weight
of the driver, all passengers, options and cargo.
G
ROSS
A
XLE
W
EIGHT
R
ATING
(GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the
front and rear axles. The load must be distributed
in the cargo area so that the GAWR of each axle is
not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the components
in the system with the lowest load carrying capacity
(axle, springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles or
suspension components sometimes specified by
purchasers for increased durability does not
necessarily increase the vehicle's GVWR.
T
IRE
S
IZE
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label
represents the actual tire size on your vehicle.
Replacement tires must be equal to the load
capacity of this tire size.
R
IM
S
IZE
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire
size listed.
I
NFLATION
P
RESSURE
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your
vehicle for all loading conditions up to full Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
C
URB
W
EIGHT
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total
weight of the vehicle with all fluids, including
vehicle fuel, at full capacity conditions, and with no
occupants or cargo loaded into the vehicle. The
front and rear curb weight values are determined
by weighing your vehicle on a commercial scale
before any occupants or cargo are added.
L
OADING
The actual total weight and the weight of the front
and rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be
determined by weighing it when it is loaded and
ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a
commercial scale to insure that the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) has not been exceeded. The
weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should
then be determined separately to be sure that the
load is properly distributed over the front and rear
axle. Weighing the vehicle may show that the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of either the front or
rear axles has been exceeded but the total load is
within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be
shifted from front to rear or rear to front as
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