towing capacity FIAT SEDICI 2007 2.G Owners Manual

172
TRAILER TOWING
Your Fiat was originally designed to car-
ry people and a normal amount of cargo,
not to tow a trailer. Fiat does not rec-
ommend you use your vehicle to tow a
trailer if there is not any local regulation
about towing capacity permitted (for ex-
ample, registered or statutory towing ca-
pacity). Towing a trailer can adversely af-
fect handling, durability, and fuel economy.
Some countries have regulations which
specifically allow trailer towing up to a
specified maximum trailer weight (regis-
tered or statutory towing capacity,
whichever is smaller); vehicles sold in
these countries can be used to tow a light
trailer, provided the trailer does not ex-
ceed the maximum trailer weight specified
in the country’s regulations.
If you use your Fiat to tow a trailer, you
should always observe the requirements
and recommendations in this section. If
you intend to tow a trailer, it is essential
to select a trailer and trailer towing equip-
ment which are compatible. A reputable
towing specialist can help you.
VEHICLE LOADING
Your vehicle was designed for specific
weight capacities. The weight capacities of
your vehicle are indicated by the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR, front
and rear). The GVWR and GAWR (front
and rear) are listed in the “SPECIFICA-
TIONS” section.
GVWR – Maximum permissible overall
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (includ-
ing all the occupants, accessories and car-
go plus the trailer nose weight if towing
a trailer).
GAWR – (Front and Rear) Maximum per-
missible weight on an individual axle.
Actual weight of the loaded vehicle and ac-
tual loads at the front and rear axles can
only be determined by weighing the vehi-
cle. Compare these weights to the GVWR
and GAWR (front and rear). 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.Never overload your vehicle.
The gross vehicle weight
(sum of the weights of the vehicle, all
the occupants, accessories, cargo plus
trailer nose weight if towing a trailer)
must never exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). In addition,
never distribute a load so that the
weight on either the front or rear axle
exceeds the Gross Axle Weight Rat-
ing (GAWR).
WARNING
Always distribute cargo
evenly. To avoid personal in-
jury or damage to your vehicle, al-
ways secure cargo to prevent it from
shifting if the vehicle moves sudden-
ly. Place heavier objects on the floor
and as far forward in the cargo area
as possible. Never pile cargo higher
than the top of the seat backs.
WARNING
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174
MIRRORS
Check to see if your vehicle’s mirrors
meet local requirements for mirrors used
on towing vehicles. If they do not, you
must install the required mirrors before
you tow.
VEHICLE/TRAILER LOADING
To load your vehicle and trailer proper-
ly, you must know how to measure gross
trailer weight and trailer nose weight.
Gross Trailer Weight is the weight of the
trailer plus all the cargo in it. You can mea-
sure gross trailer weight by putting the ful-
ly loaded trailer on a vehicle scale.
Nose Weight is the downward force ex-
erted on the tow bar by the trailer cou-
pler, with the trailer fully loaded and the
coupler at its normal towing height. This
weight can be measured using a bathroom
scales.
The weight of your loaded trailer (Gross
Trailer Weight) should never exceed the
“Towing capacity”.Distribute cargo in your trailer so that
nose weight is about 10% of gross trailer
weight, but does not exceed “Maximum
vertical load on trailer hitch point”. You
should measure gross trailer weight and
nose weight before towing to make sure
that your load is properly distributed. TIRES
When towing a trailer, it is
very important for your ve-
hicle and trailer to have properly in-
flated tires. Your vehicle’s tires should
be inflated to the pressures listed on
your vehicles Tire Information label.
If laden pressures are listed on the la-
bel, the tires should be inflated to the
laden pressures. Inflate trailer tires
according to the specifications pro-
vided by the trailer manufacturer.
WARNING
Improper weight distribution
of your trailer may result in
poor vehicle handling and swaying of
the trailer. Always make sure that
trailer nose weight is about 10% of
gross trailer weight, but does not ex-
ceed “Maximum vertical load on
trailer hitch point”. Also make sure
that the cargo is properly secured.
Failure to observe this requirement
may result in an accident.
WARNING
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175
ADDITIONAL TRAILER
TOWING WARNINGS
Never overload your trailer
or your vehicle. Gross trail-
er weight must never exceed the
“Towing capacity”. Gross vehicle
weight (sum of the weights of the ve-
hicle, all the occupants, accessories
including tow bars and a trailer hitch,
cargo and trailer nose weight) must
never exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) listed in the
“SPECIFICATIONS” section.
WARNING
Connect trailer lights and
hook up safety chains every
time you tow.
WARNING
IMPORTANT Because towing a trailer
puts additional stress on your vehicle,
more frequent maintenance will be re-
quired than under normal driving condi-
tions. Follow the schedule for “Mainte-
nance Recommended under Severe Dri-
ving Conditions”.
Your vehicle will handle dif-
ferently when towing a trail-
er. For your safety and the safety of
others, you should observe the fol-
lowing precautions:
– Practice turning, stopping, and re-
versing before you begin towing in
traffic. Do not tow in traffic until you
are confident that you can handle the
vehicle and trailer safely.
– Never exceed towing speed limits or
80 km/h (50 mph), whichever is low-
er.
– Never drive at a speed that causes
shaking or swaying of the trailer. If
you notice even the slightest sign of
shaking or swaying, slow down.
– When roads are wet, slippery or
rough, drive at a slower speed than
you would on dry, smooth roads.
Failure to slow down when road con-
ditions are bad can result in loss of
control.
– Always have someone guide you
when reversing.
– Allow adequate stopping distance.
Stopping distance is increased when
you tow a trailer. For each 16 km/h
(10 mph) of speed, allow at least one
vehicle and trailer length between
you and the vehicle ahead. Follow at
a greater distance if roads are wet or
slippery.
WARNING
– If the trailer has over-run
brakes, apply the brakes
gradually to avoid snatching caused
by the trailer wheels locking.
– Slow down before corners and
maintain a steady speed while cor-
nering. Deceleration or acceleration
while cornering can result in loss of
control. Remember that a larger than
normal turning radius is needed be-
cause the trailer wheels will be clos-
er than vehicle wheels to the inside of
the turn.
– Avoid sudden acceleration and
stopping of the vehicle. Do not make
quick maneuvers unless they are nec-
essary.
– Slow down in cross winds and be
prepared for gusts of wind from large
passing vehicles.
– Be careful when overtaking other
vehicles. Be sure to allow enough
room for your trailer before you
change lanes, and signal well in ad-
vance.
– Slow down and shift into a lower
gear before you reach long or steep
downhill grades. It is hazardous to at-
tempt downshifting while you are de-
scending a hill.
WARNING
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