8–35
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Vehicle Loading
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to tow a
trailer and doing so will aff ect the drive system which could result in vehicle damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capability. Properly loading your vehicle will provide
maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight ratings, from the
vehicle's Safety Certifi cation Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle:
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's suspension
system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure, handling or steering
problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the distance
required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail completely,
particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a combination of the size of
the tire, its load range, and corresponding infl ation pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certifi cation and Tire and Load Information labels.