Determining The Correct Load Limit - Volkswagen PASSAT 2013 Manual

WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, serious
personal injury, and even death.
Carrying more weight than your vehicle was designed to carry will prevent the vehicle
from handling properly and increase the risk of the loss of vehicle control.
The brakes on a vehicle that has been overloaded may not be able to stop the vehicle in a
safe distance.
Tires on a vehicle that has been overloaded can fail suddenly, including a blowout and
sudden deflation, causing loss of control and a crash.
Always make sure that the total load being transported - including the weight of a trailer
hitch and the tongue weight of a loaded trailer - does not make the vehicle heavier than the
vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Applicable only in the United States and Canada

Determining the correct load limit

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
Never overload tires. The following example illustrates how to determine the combined weight of all
vehicle occupants and luggage or other vehicle payloads. Never overload the vehicle!
1. Locate the statement "THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO SHOULD
NEVER EXCEED XXX KG OR XXX LBS" on your vehicle's placard (tire inflation pressure
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your
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-
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
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 capacity
Check the tire sidewall to determine the load index specified for the tire.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit:
vehicle.
750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
of your vehicle.
label).
Step 4.
.