2007 Suzuki Reno Owner's Manual - Page 142

DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE Actual weight of the loaded vehicle and actual loads at the front and rear axles can only be determined by weighing the vehicle using a vehicle scale. To measure the weight and load, try taking your vehicle to a highway weighing station, shipping company or inspection station for trucks, etc. Compare these weights to the GVWR and GAWR (front and rear) listed on the Safety Certification Label. If the gross vehicle weight or the load on either axle exceeds these ratings, you must remove enough weight to bring the load down to the rated capacity. Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1) Locate the statement "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds" on your vehicle placard. 2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle. 3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds. 4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amounts equals 1,400 lbs and there will be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs). 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 Step 4. Vehicle Loading Example As an example, suppose that the Tire and Loading Information label on your vehicle indicates that your vehicle's total load capacity is 950 lbs. If you were to drive your vehicle with one passenger, and the total combined weight of you and your passenger was 350 lbs, then the cargo and luggage capacity of your vehicle would be 600 lbs (950 - 350 = 600 lbs). If you later added 2 more passengers, having a combined weight of 325 lbs, the cargo and luggage capacity of your vehicle would be reduced from 600 lbs to 275 lbs (600 - 325 = 275 lbs). As you can see, as the number and combined weight of vehicle occupants increase, the vehicle's cargo and luggage capacity decreases. WARNING Never overload your vehicle. Overloading your vehicle can cause damage to your tires and lead to poor steering and braking which can result in an accident. The gross vehicle weight (sum of the weights of the loaded vehicle, driver and passengers) must never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) listed on the Safety Certification Label. In addition, never distribute a load so that the weight on either the front or rear axle exceeds the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Safety Certification Label. If you put things inside your vehicle - like suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else - they will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they'll keep going. 4-18