1997 Ford Contour Owner's Manual - Page 139

RWARNING Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. Limiting Your Vehicle's Load The load that you add to your vehicle must not exceed the maximum load stated on the Safety Compliance Certification Label attached to the left front door pillar or the left front door lock facing. To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add the weights of: s the driver and passengers s luggage and any other items that you put in your vehicle s the tongue load of the loaded trailer s the weight of any equipment that has been added to your vehicle since it was delivered to your dealer If you do not know the actual weights of these items, use the following procedure to figure the weight of a load: 1. Weigh your vehicle without the driver, passengers and luggage. You might take your vehicle to a shipping company or an inspection station for trucks. 2. Then weigh your vehicle with the driver, passengers and luggage. 3. Subtract the first reading from the second to figure the total weight of the load. After determining this load, you must also make sure that the total weight of your vehicle, plus the load it carries, is less than its GVWR. Also, make sure that the weight your vehicle carries over each axle is less than the GAWR for the respective axle. 140