2009 Volvo S40 Owner's Manual - Page 183

07 Wheels and tires Vehicle loading Loading the vehicle Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle's Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/ CMVSS) label, and the vehicle's tire information placard: Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/ CMVSS) label. The total load on each axle must never exceed its maximum permissible weight. (4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750 (5×150) = 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, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual1 to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle. Gross vehicle weight (GVW) The vehicle's curb weight + cargo + passengers. NOTE Curb weight The weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or optional equipment. • • The location of the various labels in your vehicle can be found on page 262. A table listing important weight limits for your vehicle can be found on page 265. Capacity weight All weight added to the curb weight, including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer hitch tongue load is also part of cargo weight. Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit (1) Locate the statement "the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds" 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 kilograms or XXX pounds. NOTE For trailer towing information, please refer to the section "Towing a trailer", see page 160. 07 Permissible axle weight The maximum allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear). These numbers are shown on the Federal/Canadian 1 See "Towing a trailer" 183