load capacity CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 2009 Owners Manual

Luggage Carrier For vehicles with a luggage carrier, items can be loaded
on top of the vehicle.
The luggage carrier has siderails attached to the roof and
crossrails, if equipped, which can be moved back and
forth to help secure cargo. To adjust them, turn the knob
located at each end of the crossrail counterclockwise until
the crossrail can move freely. To secure the crossrail,
turn the knob located at each end of the crossrail
clockwise until tightened. Tie the load to the siderails or
siderail supports.
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, see Loading the Vehicle on
page 5-33 .
To prevent damage or loss of cargo, check now and
then to make sure the luggage and cargo are still
securely fastened. Be sure the cargo is properly loaded.
If small heavy objects are placed on the roof, place
the load in the area over the rear wheels (behind the
rear side door on extended models). If needed, cut a
piece of 3/8 inch plywood to t inside the crossrails
and siderails to spread the load. If plywood is used,
tie it to the siderail supports.
Tie the load to the crossrails or the siderail supports.
Use the crossrails only to keep the load from sliding.
To move the crossrails, pull out on the latch release
handle at each end. Slide the crossrail to the desired
position balancing the force side to side. Push the
release handle back into the latched position and
slide the crossrail back and forth slightly to be sure
the latch snaps securely into place.
If needed to carry long items, move the crossrails as
far apart as they will go. Tie the load to the crossrails
and the siderails or siderail supports. Also tie the
load to the bumpers. Do not tie the load so tightly
that the crossrails or siderails are damaged.
After moving a crossrail, be sure it is securely locked
into the siderail.
A Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) is located
above the glass or above the rear load doors.
If items are loaded on the roof of the vehicle, care
should be taken not to block or damage the CHMSL unit.
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Notice: Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged and it would
not be covered by warranty.
For vehicles with recovery hooks at the front of the
vehicle, you can use them if you are stuck off-road and
need to be pulled to some place where you can
continue driving. 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 was designed to 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.
5-33

Tire and Loading Information Label
A vehicle specic Tire and Loading Information
label is attached to the center pillar (B-pillar).
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 see
Tires on page 6-56 and Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 6-62 .
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 axles. See “Certication/Tire Label”
later in this section.Label Example
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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). 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 of your vehicle. See Towing a
Trailer on page 5-44 for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
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Item Description Total
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.
The combined weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed your vehicle’s
capacity weight.
Example 3
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Certication/Tire Label
A vehicle specic Certication/Tire label is attached
to the rear edge of the driver’s door. The label
shows the size of your vehicle’s original tires and
the ination pressures needed to obtain the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle. This is called 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 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 can help you with this.
Be sure to spread out your load equally on both
sides of the center line.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out.
{ 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.
Your warranty does not cover parts or components
that fail because of overloading.
The label will help you decide how much cargo
and installed equipment your truck can carry.
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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 your safety and that of your passengers.
So please read this section carefully before pulling a
trailer.
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.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps
the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission
to a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
If the vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system and it doesn’t seem to be working properly
while pulling a trailer, turn the system off. See
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) on page 2-44 for more
information.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer
The weight of the trailer tongue
And the weight on the vehicle’s tires
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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 for more information about the
vehicle’s maximum load capacity. The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to
15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B), up to a
maximum of 600 lbs (272 kg) with a weight carrying hitch.
The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to
15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B), up to the
maximum of 1,000 lbs (454 kg) with a weight distributing
hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight
for the vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch extension
that will position the hitch ball closest to the vehicle.
This will help reduce the effect of trailer tongue weight
on the rear axle.
After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the
tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper.
If they are not, adjustments might be made by moving
some items around in the trailer.
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(G) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit :
Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.
For information on recommended tire pressure
see Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-62
and Loading the Vehicle on page 5-33 .
Tire Size The following examples show the different parts of
a 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 75, as
shown in item C of the light truck (LT-Metric) tire
illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
75% 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 index and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certied to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a tire is certied to
carry a load.Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
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Tire Terminology and Denitions Air Pressure :
The amount of air inside the
tire pressing outward on each square inch of the
tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight :
This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic transmission,
power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio :
The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.
Belt :
A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be
made from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead :
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire :
A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread. Cold Tire Pressure :
The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 6-62 .
Curb Weight :
The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard and optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings :
A code molded into the sidewall
of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identication Number (TIN),
an alphanumeric designator which can also identify
the tire manufacturer, production plant, brand,
and date of production.
GVWR :
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
See Loading the Vehicle on page 5-33 .
GAWR FRT :
Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
front axle. See Loading the Vehicle on page 5-33 .
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