Ford Contour (1999 year). Manual — part 32

Driving

126

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)

Base curb weight plus the payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a
specification.

Payload

Combined maximum allowable
weight of passengers, cargo, and
optional equipment.

LOADING YOUR VEHICLE

Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with these
terms.

Base curb weight

Weight of the vehicle including any
standard equipment, fluids, and
lubricants. It does not include
passengers or aftermarket
equipment.

4. Push the gearshift lever
completely to the right, pull up the
ring on the stalk of the gearshift
lever, and then pull rearward on
the gearshift lever to engage the R
(Reverse) gear.

5. If the R (Reverse) gear is
engaged, slowly release the clutch
pedal from the floor.

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Driving

127

GCW (Gross Combined Weight)

The GCW is the maximum
combined weight of the towing
vehicle (including passengers and
cargo) and the loaded trailer. The
GCW is specified by the
manufacturer to indicate the
combined maximum loaded weight
that the vehicle is designed to tow.

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)

Carrying capacity for each axle
system (front and rear). The
GAWR is specific to each vehicle
and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label on
the driver’s door pillar.

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)

Maximum total weight of the base
vehicle, passengers, optional
equipment, and cargo. The GVWR
is specific to each vehicle and is
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label on the driver’s
door pillar.

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Driving

128

Payload = GVWR minus Base
curb weight

To obtain the correct weight for
your vehicle, try taking your
vehicle to a shipping company or
an inspection station for trucks.

Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they might lower
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR.
(Replacement tires with a higher
weight limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.)

In high altitudes, engines will lose
power at a rate of 3% power per
300 m (1 000 ft) increase in
elevation. A reduction in GVW and
GCW is recommended for
maximum vehicle performance.

-9%

-6%

-3%

900 m

(3000 ft)

600 m

(2000 ft)

300 m

(1000 ft)

0

Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the

Safety Compliance Certification
Label.

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Driving

129

It is extremly dangerous to
ride in a cargo area, inside or

outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured
or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats
and safety belts. Be sure everyone
in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.

Driving with a heavy load

The total weight of the vehicle plus
the total weight of passengers and
cargo should never exceed the
GVWR.

The weight that the vehicle carries
over the front and rear axles
should never exceed the GAWR for
the respective axle.

The weight limits of your vehicle’s
tires affect the GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Using tires with higher
weight limits than the original tires
will not increase the GVWR or
GAWR of your vehicle; using tires
with lower weight limits may lower
the GVWR or GAWR of your
vehicle.

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