load capacity OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1994 Owners Manual

If you have the optional rear climate
control, your side ashtray will have a
flip-up cover.
~ To remove the ashtray for cleaning, pull
up on the snuffer or the cover.
Convenience Net (OPTION)
The optional convenience net is
designed to help keep small loads, like
grocery bags, from falling over during
sharp turns or quick stops and starts. Install
the convenience net at the rear
of your vehicle, just inside the liftgate.
Attach the upper loops to the posts on
either side of the liftgate opening (the
label on the net should be in the upper
righthand corner). Attach the lower
loops to the hoolts on the floor.
The side of the convenience net closest
to the front of the vehicle is higher than
the side closest to the liftgate. Once
you’ve loaded items into the net, stretch
the higher side of the net up and over
the top of the load to hold it firmly in
place.
The convenience net has a maximum
capacity of
100 pounds (45 kg). It is not
L3
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NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more
than
125 pounds (56 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 maximum vehicle
sapacity when loading your Oldsmobile.
For more information
on vehicle
capacity and loading, see the
Index
under Loading Your Vehicle.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as
you’re driving, check now and then to
make sure the luggage carrier and cargo
are still securely fastened.
Your luggage carrier has release hobs
set in the ends of each crossrail. Turn
the release hobs counterclockwise,
then slide the crossrails forward or
back, as needed, to accommodate loads
of varying size.
After repositioning the crossrails, be
sure to tighten the release hobs by
turning them clockwise, locking the
crossrails in place.
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Towinga Trailer
L
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by your
warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section,
and see your Oldsmobile dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To
identify what the vehicle trailering
capacity is for your vehicle, you should
read the information in
Weight of the
Trailer that appears later in this section.
But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering
means changes in handling, durability,
and fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. In it
are 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 you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the
engine, transaxle, 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.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important
points.
There are many different laws having
to do with trailering. Make sure your
rig will be legal, not only where you
live but
also where you’ll be driving. A
good source for this information can
be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control if your
trailer will weigh
2,000 pounds (900
kg) or less. You should always use a
sway control if your trailer will weigh
more than
2,000 pounds (900 kg).
You can ask a hitch dealer about sway
controls.
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I
I I
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.
I If you’re using a “dead-weight’’ hitch, 1 the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
i 10% of the total loaded trailer weight
’ (B). If you have a “weight-distributing”
I
hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should
weigh
12% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(B) .
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see
if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able
to get them right simply by moving
some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated
to the limit for cold tires. You’ll find
these numbers on the Certification/Tire
label at the rear edge
of the driver’s
door or see
Tire Loading in the Index.
Then be sure you don’t go over the
GVW limit for your vehicle.
Hifches
It’s important to have the correct hitch
equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks
going by, and rough roads are a few
reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.
Here are some rules to follow:
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when
loaded, will weigh more than
2,000
pounds (900 kg), be sure to use a
properly mounted, weight-distributing
hitch and sway control of the proper
size. This equipment is very important
for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you’re driving.
Will you have to make any holes in
the body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer hitch? If you do, then
be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch. If you don’t
seal them, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into
your vehicle (see
Engine Exhaust in
the
Index). Dirt and water can, too.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not
intended for hitches.
Do not attach
rental hitches or other bumper-type
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Service &Appearance Care
206
GVWR CAWR FRT CAWR RR
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE US. FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE
OF MANUFALTURESHOWN ABOVE.
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M.P.V.
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RTG RIM WliKP, (COLD1
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SERIAI. NUMBER SPEED
SEE
OWNERS MANUAL FOR ADDI'TIONAL INFORMATlOh
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certification/Tire label is found on
the rear edge of the driver's door.
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 GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certification/Tire 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 dealer 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 Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
And,
if you do have a heavy load, you
should spread it out.
Electronic Level Control
On vehicles equipped with optional
electronic level control, the rear
of the
vehicle is automatically kept level as
you load or unload your vehicle. For
more about this option see the
Index
under Electronic Level Control.
Using heavier suspension components
to get added durability might not
change your weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your vehicle the
right way.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts
or components that fail because
of
overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle-
like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else-they will go
as fast as
the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or
turn quickly! or if there is a crash,
they'll keep going.
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have been approved for use on General
~ Motors vehicles. All passenger type
(P Metric) tires must conform to
Federal safety requirements in addition
to these grades.
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.
In most cases, you will not need to have
your wheels aligned again. 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. If wheel nuts keep
coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If
the wheel leala air, replace it (except
some aluminum wheels, which can
sometimes be repaired). See your Oldsmobile dealer
if any of these
conditions exist.
Your dealer 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
Oldsmobile model.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, headlight aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or tire chain clearance to
the body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
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