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Starting And Operating -> Vehicle Loading for Your Fiat 500 L 4 Door First Generation (2012-2022)

STARTING AND OPERATING 197  
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)  
WARNING! (Continued)  
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 axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be limited so  
GVWR and front and rear GAWR are not exceeded.  
A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a portable  
container that is inside of a vehicle. You could be  
burned. Always place fuel containers on the ground  
while filling.  
Payload  
CAUTION!  
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.  
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top off”  
the fuel tank after filling.  
6
VEHICLE LOADING  
Certification Label  
Gross Axle Weight Rating (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.  
As required by National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis-  
tration regulations, your vehicle has a certification label  
affixed to the driver’s side door or pillar.  
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 in-  
creased durability does not necessarily increase the vehi-  
cle’s GVWR.  
This label contains the month and year of manufacture,  
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight  
Rating (GAWR) front and rear, and Vehicle Identification  
Number (VIN). A Month-Day-Hour (MDH) number is  
included on this label and indicates the Month, Day and  
Hour of manufacture. The bar code that appears on the  
bottom of the label is your VIN.  
198 STARTING AND OPERATING  
Tire Size  
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commercial  
scale to insure that the 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 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 appropriate until the specified  
weight limitations are met. Store the heavier items down  
low and be sure that the weight is distributed equally. Stow  
all loose items securely before driving.  
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.  
Rim Size  
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size  
listed.  
Inflation Pressure  
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for  
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.  
Improper weight distributions can have an adverse effect  
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way  
the brakes operate.  
Curb Weight  
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.  
CAUTION!  
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR  
or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If you do, parts  
on your vehicle can break, or it can change the way  
your vehicle handles. This could cause you to lose  
control. Also overloading can shorten the life of your  
vehicle.  
Loading  
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.  
STARTING AND OPERATING 199  
TRAILER TOWING  
Trailer towing with this vehicle is not recommended.  
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)  
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle  
Towing Condition  
Flat Tow  
Wheels OFF The Ground  
Automatic Transmission  
NOT ALLOWED  
OK  
NONE  
Front  
Rear  
Dolly Tow  
6
NOT ALLOWED  
OK  
On Trailer  
ALL  
NOTE: When towing your vehicle, always follow appli-  
cable state and provincial laws. Contact state and provin-  
cial Highway Safety offices for additional details.  
CAUTION!  
DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an  
automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain  
will result. If these vehicles require towing, make  
sure all drive wheels are OFF the ground.  
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-  
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-  
age from improper towing is not covered under the  
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.  
This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or vehicle trailer  
provided all four wheels are OFF the ground.  
This vehicle may also be towed using a tow dolly (with the  
front wheels OFF the ground).