load capacity BUICK ENCLAVE 2009 Owner's Manual

To remove the oor mat, turn the
knob till it is aligned with the slot in
the oor mat grommet and pull
the oor mat up. To reinstall, center
the slot in the oor mat grommet
with the knob on the oor and
set the mat in place. Then turn the
knob until it is perpendicular to
the slot in the grommet to lock the
mat in place.
Luggage Carrier
{CAUTION
If something is carried on top of
the vehicle that is longer or wider
than the luggage carrier — like
paneling, plywood, or a
mattress — the wind can catch it
while the vehicle is being driven.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
This can cause a driver to lose
control. The item being carried
could be violently torn off, and this
could cause a collision, and
damage the vehicle. Items may
be carried inside. Never carry
something longer or wider than
the luggage carrier on top of the
vehicle.
The luggage carrier allows the
loading of things on top of
the vehicle. Crossrails are available
at your dealer/retailer.
Notice:Loading cargo on the
luggage carrier that weighs more
than 200 lbs (91 kg) or hangs
over the rear or sides of the
vehicle can damage the vehicle.
Load cargo so that it rests as
far forward as possible and
against the side rails, making
sure to fasten it securely.Do not exceed the maximum vehicle
capacity when loading the vehicle.
For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, seeLoading
the Vehicle on page 4-16.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo
while driving, check to make sure
the cargo is still securely fastened.
Rear Seat Armrest
Vehicles with a rear seat armrest,
have two cupholders. Pull the
armrest down from the rear
seatback to access the cupholders.
Cargo Tie Downs
Four cargo tie-downs are located
in the rear compartment of the
vehicle. The tie-downs can be used
to secure small loads.
Features and Controls 2-51

Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around
the front wheels. Turn off any
traction or stability system. Shift
back and forth between R (Reverse)
and a forward gear, spinning the
wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until
the wheels stop spinning before
shifting gears. Release the
accelerator pedal while shifting, and
press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that
could free the vehicle. If that does
not get the vehicle out after a
few tries, it might need to be towed
out. If the vehicle does need to
be towed out, seeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-21.
Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how
much weight your vehicle can
carry. This weight is called
the vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on your vehicle show
how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certication/Tire label.{CAUTION
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or
rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). If you do, parts on
the vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your
vehicle handles. These could
cause you to lose control and
crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of the vehicle.
4-16 Driving Your Vehicle

Tire and Loading Information
Label
A vehicle specic Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the center pillar
(B-pillar) of your vehicle. With
the driver’s door open, you
will nd the label attached below
the door lock post (striker).The tire and loading information
label shows the number of
occupant seating positions (A),
and the maximum vehicle
capacity weight (B) in kilograms
and pounds.
The Tire and Loading Information
label also shows the size of the
original equipment tires (C) and
the recommended cold tire
ination pressures (D). For more
information on tires and ination
seeTires on page 5-36and
Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-42.
There is also important loading
information on the vehicle
Certication/Tire label. It tells
you the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear
axle. See “Certication/Tire
Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1.
Locate the statement “The
combined weight of
occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s
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 kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting gure equals
the available amount of
cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be
ve 150 lb passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs
(1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
Example Label
Driving Your Vehicle 4-17

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.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how
this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity for your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-24for important
information on towing a trailer,
towing safety rules, and
trailering tips.
A.Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 1=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×2=300 lbs
(136 kg).
C.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight=700 lbs
(317 kg).
A.Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 2=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×5=750 lbs
(340 kg).
C.Available Cargo
Weight=250 lbs (113 kg). Example 1
Example 2
4-18 Driving Your Vehicle

A.Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 3=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
200 lbs (91 kg)×5=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
C.Available Cargo
Weight=0 lbs (0 kg).
Refer to your vehicle’s tire and
loading information label for
specic information about your
vehicle’s capacity weight
and seating positions. Thecombined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo
should never exceed your
vehicle’s capacity weight.
Certication/Tire Label
A vehicle specic Certication/
Tire label is attached to the
rear edge of the driver’s door.The label shows the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle.
This is called the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo.
The Certication/Tire label also
tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear
axles, called the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To nd
out the actual loads on your
front and rear axles, you need to
go to a weigh station and
weigh your vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer can help you with
this. Be sure to spread out
your load equally on both sides
of the centerline. Example 3
Label Example
Driving Your Vehicle 4-19

To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, read the information
in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving
the vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering
tips and safety rules. Many of these
are important for the safety of the
driver and the passengers. So
please read this section carefully
before pulling a trailer.Load-pulling components such
as the engine, transmission, rear
axle, wheel assemblies and tires
are forced to work harder against
the drag of the added weight.
The engine is required to operate
at relatively higher speeds and
under greater loads, generating
extra heat. What’s more, the trailer
adds considerably to wind
resistance, increasing the pulling
requirements.Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
There are many different
laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with
trailering. Make sure the rig will
be legal, not only where you
live but also where you will be
driving. A good source for
this information can be state or
provincial police.
Consider using a sway control.
See “Hitches” later in this
section.
Do not tow a trailer at all during
the rst 500 miles (800 km) the
new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be
damaged.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-25

VehicleMaximum Trailer Weight *GCWR
Front-Wheel Drive 2,000 lbs (907 kg)7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
Front-Wheel Drive, V92 Trailer Towing Package 4,500 lbs (2 041 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
All-Wheel Drive 2,000 lbs (907 kg)7,700 lbs (3 493 kg)
All-Wheel Drive, V92 Trailer Towing Package 4,500 lbs (2 041 kg)9,700 lbs (4 400 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our
trailering information or advice, or
write us at our Customer Assistance
Offices. See Customer Assistance
Offices on page 7-4 for more
information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers or cargo in the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry,
which will also reduce the trailer
weight the vehicle can tow. If towing
a trailer, the tongue load must be
added to the GVW because
the vehicle will be carrying that
weight, too. See
Loading the Vehicle
on page 4-16 for more information
about the vehicle’s maximum
load capacity.
If a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch is being
used, the trailer tongue (A) should
weigh 10-15 percent of the total
loaded trailer weight (B).
Driving Your Vehicle 4-27

After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Trailering may also be limited by the
vehicle’s ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot cause
the vehicle to exceed the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or the
RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating). The effect of additional
weight may reduce the trailering
capacity more than the total of the
additional weight.Consider the following example:
A vehicle model base weight is
5,500 lbs (2 495 kg); 2,800 lbs
(1 270 kg) at the front axle and
2,700 lbs (1 225 kg) at the rear axle.
It has a GVWR of 7,200 lbs
(3 266 kg), a RGAWR of 4,000 lbs
(1 814 kg) and a GCWR (Gross
Combination Weight Rating) of
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg). The trailer
rating should be:Expect tongue weight to be at least
10 percent of trailer weight
(850 lbs (386 kg)) and because the
weight is applied well behind the
rear axle, the effect on the rear axle
is greater than just the weight
itself, as much as 1.5 times as
much. The weight at the rear axle
could be 850 lbs (386 kg) X
1.5 = 1,275 lbs (578 kg). Since the
rear axle already weighs 2,700 lbs
(1 225 kg), adding 1,275 lbs (578 kg)
brings the total to 3,975 lbs
(1 803 kg). This is very close to, but
within the limit for RGAWR as
well. The vehicle is set to trailer up
to 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg).
4-28 Driving Your Vehicle

If the vehicle has many options and
there is a front seat passenger and
two rear seat passengers with some
luggage and gear in the vehicle as
well. 300 lbs (136 kg) could be
added to the front axle weight and
400 lbs (181 kg) to the rear axle
weight. The vehicle now weighs:
Weight is still below 7,200 lbs
(3 266 kg) and you might think
700 additional pounds (318 kg)
should be subtracted from the
trailering capacity to stay within
GCWR limits. The maximum trailer
would only be 7,800 lbs (3 538 kg).
You may go further and think the
tongue weight should be limited to
less than 1,000 lbs (454 kg) to avoid
exceeding GVWR. But the effect on
the rear axle must still be considered.
Because the rear axle now weighs3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), 900 lbs
(408 kg) can be put on the rear axle
without exceeding RGAWR. The
effect of tongue weight is about
1.5 times the actual weight. Dividing
the 900 lbs (408 kg) by 1.5 leaves
only 600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue
weight that can be handled. Since
tongue weight is usually at least
10 percent of total loaded trailer
weight, expect that the largest trailer
the vehicle can properly handle is
6,000 lbs (2 721 kg).
It is important that the vehicle
does not exceed any of its
ratings — GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings is
to weigh the vehicle and trailer.
Total Weight on the Vehicle’s
Tires
Be sure the vehicle’s tires are
inated to the upper limit for cold
tires. These numbers can be found
on the Certication/Tire label.
SeeLoading the Vehicle onpage 4-16. Make sure not to go
over the GVW limit for the vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer
tongue.
Hitches
It is important to have the correct
hitch equipment. Crosswinds,
large trucks going by and rough
roads are a few reasons why
the right hitch is needed. Here are
some rules to follow:
The rear bumper on the vehicle is
not intended for hitches. Do not
attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If there
are, then be sure to seal the holes
later when the hitch is removed.
If the holes are not sealed, dirt,
water, and deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from the exhaust
can get into the vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust on page 2-30.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-29

(F) Tire Size:A combination of
letters and numbers dene a
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio,
construction type, and service
description. The letter T as
the rst character in the tire size
means the tire is for temporary
use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire
Performance Criteria
Specication)
:Original
equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance
criteria have a TPC specication
code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC specications meet or
exceed all federal safety
guidelines.Tire Size
The following illustration shows
an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the rst character in
the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width
:The three-digit
number indicates the tire
section width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio
:A two-digit
number that indicates the tire
height-to-width measurements.For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A letter
code is used to indicate the type
of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply
construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
range and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carry capacity a tire is
certied to carry. The load index
can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum
speed a tire is certied to carry
a load. Speed ratings range
fromAtoZ.
Service and Appearance Care 5-39