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Driving your vehicle
VEHICLE WEIGHT
This section will guide you in the proper
loading of your vehicle and/or trailer, to
keep your loaded vehicle weight within its
design rating capability, with or without a
trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of the vehicle
design performance. Before loading your
vehicle, familiarize yourself with the fol-
lowing terms for determining your vehi-
cle's weight ratings, with or without a
trailer, from the vehicle's specifications
and the certification label:
Vehicle kerb weight
This is the weight of the vehicle including
fuel, driver and all standard equipment.
Payload
This is the weight of passengers, lug-
gage and any
optional equipment
installed.
GAW (Gross axle weight)
This is the total weight placed on each
axle (front and rear) - including vehicle
kerb weight and all payload.
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GAWR (Gross axle weight rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight
that can be carried by a single axle (front
or rear). These numbers are shown on
the compliance label.
The total load on each axle must never
exceed its GAWR.
GVW (Gross vehicle weight)
This is the maximum allowed weight of
the vehicle, contents, passengers and
optional equipment.
GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight of
the fully loaded vehicle (including all
options, equipment, passengers and
cargo). The GVWR is shown on the cer-
tification label located on the driver's (or
front passenger's) door sill.
Overloading
WARNING -
Vehicle weight
The gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) and the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) for your vehi-
cle are on the certification label
attached to the driver's (or front
passenger's) door. Exceeding these
ratings can cause an accident or
vehicle damage. You can calculate
the weight of your load by weighing
the items (and people) before put-
ting them in the vehicle. Be careful
not to overload your vehicle.
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