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 capa-
bility, with or without a trailer.
Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of the vehi-
cle design performance. Before load-
ing your vehicle, familiarize yourself
with the following terms for determin-
ing your vehicle's weight ratings, with
or without a trailer, from the vehicle's
specifications and the compliance
label:
Cargo weight
GVWR
(Gross vehicle weight rating)
This figure includes all weight added
to the Base Curb Weight, including
cargo and optional equipment.
This is the maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle
(including all options, equipment,
passengers and cargo). The GVWR
is shown on the certification label
located on the driver’s door sill.
GAW (Gross axle weight)
This is the total weight placed on
each axle (front and rear) - including
vehicle curb weight and all payload.
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.
Base curb weight
This is the weight of the vehicle
including a full tank of fuel and all
standard equipment. It does not
include passengers, cargo, or option-
al equipment.
The total load on each axle must
never exceed its GAWR.
GVW (Gross vehicle weight)
Vehicle curb weight
This is the Base Curb Weight plus
actual Cargo Weight plus passen-
gers.
This is the weight of your new vehicle
when you picked it up from your deal-
er plus any aftermarket equipment.
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