Two labels on your driver's door sill show how much weight your vehicle was designed to carry: the Tire and Loading Information Label and the Certification Label.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight ratings, from the vehicle's specifications and the Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight
This is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight
This is the weight of your new vehicle when you picked it up from your dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.
Cargo Weight
This figure includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight, including cargo and optional equipment.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)
This is the total weight placed on each axle (front and rear) - including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear). These numbers are shown on the Certification Label. The total load on each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
This is the Base Curb Weight plus actual Cargo Weight plus passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including all options, equipment, passengers and cargo). The GVWR is shown on the Certification Label located on the driver’s door sill.
Folding the rear seat
The rear seatbacks can be folded to facilitate carrying long items or to increase the luggage capacity of the vehicle.
WARNING
Never allow passengers to sit on top of the folded down seatback while the vehicle is moving. This is not a proper seating position and no seat belts are available for use. This could result in serious injury or death in case of an accident or sudden stop. Objects carried on the folded down seatback should not extend higher than the top of the front seatbacks. This could allow cargo to slide forward and cause injury or damage during sudden stops.