Loading Cargo - Honda 1997 Civic Hatchback Owner's Manual

Loading Cargo

The maximum load you can carry in
your Honda is 850 lbs (395 kg). It
includes the total weight of all
passengers, their belongings and any
accessories. This 850 lbs (395 kg)
figure is shown as the Vehicle
Capacity Weight on the tire infor-
mation label attached to the driver's
doorjamb.
To figure out how much cargo you
can carry:
Figure the total "occupant weight"
you will be transporting. To do this,
multiply the number of people
(driver and all passengers) by 150
lbs (70 kg).
Subtract this number from the
Vehicle Capacity Weight (850 lbs/
395kg).
Before Driving
This final number is the total weight
of cargo you can load in or on the car.
With five occupants (driver and four
passengers), the maximum recom-
mended weight for cargo is 100 lbs
(45kg).
Where you store this cargo, and how
well you secure it, are just as
important as how much it weighs.
Make sure you load cargo so it will
not shift while driving. Items stored
in the cargo area should be stored as
far forward as possible.
Do not place items on the cargo area
cover behind the rear seat or stack
objects any higher than the back of
the rear seat. They block your rear
view and can fly forward and injure
you or your passengers if you brake
hard or are involved in a collision.
When you fold down the rear seat-
back to haul large objects, place
those objects as far forward as
possible. Try to secure them with
rope or cord so they will not shift
while you are driving. Do not stack
items higher than the back of the
front seats.
If you must cany large objects that
prevent you from closing the hatch
be aware that exhaust gas can enter
the interior. See Carbon Monoxide
Hazard on page 28.
You could store additional items on
the floor behind the front seats.
Make sure they cannot roll under the
front seat and interfere with the
pedals.