load capacity OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1998 Owners Manual

Luggage Carrier
If you try to carry something on top of your
vehicle that is longer
or wider than the luggage
carrier
-- like paneling, plywood, a mattress, and
so forth -- the wind can catch it as you drive
along. This can cause you to lose control. What
you are carrying could be violently torn
off, and
this could cause you or other drivers to have
a
collision, and of course damage your vehicle. You
may be able to carry something like this inside.
But, never carry something longer or wider than
the luggage carrier on top
of your vehicle.
A luggage carrier allows you to load things on top of
your vehicle. The luggage carrier has slats and side rails
attached to
the roof, sliding crossrails and places to use
for tying things down. These let you load some other
things on top
of your vehicle, as long as they are not
wider or longer than the luggage carrier. To slide the
crossrails to where you want them, push
up
on the lever under each side of the crossrail. This will
release the crossrail and allow you to slide it. When the
crossrail
is where you want it, push down on the lever to
lock it into place.
NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more than 200 Ibs.
(91 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage
your vehicle.
When
you carry cargo on the luggage carrier of a
proper size and weight, put
it on the slats, as far
forward as you can. Then slide the crossrail up
against the rear of the load, to help keep it from
moving. You can then tie it down.
Don’t exceed the lnaximum vehicle capacity when loading
your vehicle. For more information on vehicle capacity
and loading, see “Loading
YOLK Vehicle” in the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check now and then
to make sure the luggage carrier is
locked and cargo is
still securely fastened.
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Loading Your Vehicle
The Certificationnire label is found on the driver’s door
edge, above the door latch. The label shows the size of
your original tires and the inflation pressures needed to
obtain 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, cargo and trailer tongue weight,
if pulling a trailer. The
Certificatioflire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR).
To find out the actual loads on
your front and rear axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Your retailer can help
you with this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR
for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front
or rear axle.
If you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Similar appearing vehicles may have different GVWR’s
and payloads. Please note your vehicle’s
CertificationITire label or consult your retailer for
additional details.
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Payload
The payload capacity is shown on the CertificaticdTire
labe!. This
is the maximum load capacity that your
vehicle can carry. Be sure
to include the weight of the
occupants
as part of your load. If you added any
accessories or equipment after your vehicle left the
factory, remember to subtract the weight
of these things
from the payload. Your retailer can help you with this.
Add-on Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put a
limit on how many people you carry inside your vehicle.
Be sure to weigh your vehicle before you
buy and install
the new equipment.
NOTICE:
Your warranty doesn’t cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
I
Towing a Trailer
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer.
For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps
in this section. Ask your retailer for advice
and information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
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Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
0 the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg).
But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your retailer for our trailering information
or advice, or you can write
us at:
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance
P.O. Box 30095
Lansing,
MI 48909
In Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight
of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be
riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow
a trailer, you
must add the tongue load to the GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
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Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However,
if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset.
If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need
to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the
wheel leaks air, replace
it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
retailer
if any of these conditions exist.
Your retailer will know
the kind of wheel you need. Each
new wheel
should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one
it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
GM model.
l Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
~ bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose air
and make you lose control. You could have a
collision in which you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts and
wheel nuts for replacement.
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