weight PONTIAC VIBE 2007 User Guide

Tire and Loading Information Label
A vehicle specic Tire and Loading Information
label is attached to the vehicle’s 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.This weight includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options.
The Tire and Loading Information label also shows
the tire 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 322andInation - Tire Pressure on
page 329.
There is also important loading information on the
Certication 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 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.Label Example
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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.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 261for important information on
towing a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg) x 2 =300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant and
Cargo Weight =700 lbs (317 kg) Example 1
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Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg) x 5 =750 lbs (340 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =250 lbs (113 kg)Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 200 lbs
(91 kg) x 5 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =0 lbs (0 kg) Example 2
Example 3
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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 maximum vehicle capacity weight.
Certication Label
A vehicle specic Certication label is attached to
the center pillar, near the driver’s door latch. It tells
you the gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo. 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. See “Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit” earlier in this section.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your 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 your 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 your vehicle.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
Label Example
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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 will
keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the rear area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly. If you have fold-down rear
seats, you will nd four anchors on
the back wall of your trunk. You can
use these anchors to tie down lighter
loads. They are not strong enough for
heavy things, however, so put them as
far forward as you can in the trunk or
rear area.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
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Dolly Towing
To tow your vehicle using a dolly, follow
these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P) for an automatic
transaxle and in NEUTRAL for a manual
transaxle.
3. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for
towing.
4. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not 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.
You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you
have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify
the vehicle trailering capacity of your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the
Trailer” that appears later in this section.
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Trailering is different than just driving your 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.
That’s the reason for this part. 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, including speed
limit restrictions, 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. You can ask a
hitch dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst
1,000 miles (1 600 km) your new vehicle is
driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a
trailer. Don’t drive faster than the maximum
posted speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear on your
vehicle’s parts.
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Three important considerations have to do with
weight:
the weight of the trailer
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,500 lbs
(680 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. It can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on
your vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming
only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all
the required trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment, passengers and
cargo in the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering
information or advice, or you can write us at our
Customer Assistance Offices. SeeCustomer
Assistance Offices on page 404for 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
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 tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load
to the GVW because your vehicle will be carrying
that weight, too. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 253for more information about your vehicle’s
maximum load capacity.
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If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A)
should weigh 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B).
After you have loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer
and then the tongue, separately, to see if the
weights are proper. If they are not, 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 inated to the
upper limit for cold tires. You’ll nd these numbers
on the Tire and Loading Information label
located on the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar).SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 253. Then be
sure you do not go over the GVW limit for
your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer
tongue.
Hitches
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:
Don’t let the steel in a hitch contact the
aluminum on your bumper. If you do, the
two will corrode. You can use something like
paint or plastic tape to separate the steel
and aluminum. The same steel to aluminum
problem can happen with fasteners too.
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.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 119. Dirt
and water can too.
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Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your
vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety
chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the
tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the
bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you
can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the
trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust
and maintain them properly. And, if you have
anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap into your
vehicle’s brake system. If you do, both systems
won’t work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch, platform
and attachments, safety chains, electrical
connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If
the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle
and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
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