Vehicle - Reduced Load Capacity Label Information
NUMBER: 15-130-08DATE: 7/23/08
APPLICABILITY:
All New Vehicles Sold On or After June 2, 2008 (if applicable)
SUBJECT:
Load Carrying Capacity Reduced Label
Introduction
The purpose of this bulletin is to inform you of an important regulation Issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold.
Information
Beginning June 2, 2008, NHTSA requires that all automobile dealers apply a label to show the reduction in load carrying capacity from the installation of accessories when the total weight of the accessories is more then 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs., whichever is less. The label only needs to be applied when accessories are installed before or at the time the vehicle is first sold. A label is not required when the total weight of the accessories is below the limit or when accessories are installed at a later time.
NOTE:
Any person who fails to comply with this NHTSA-mandated safety requirement may be liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $6,000 for each violation. Each vehicle that fails to meet the requirement is considered as a separate violation.
When is the label required?
When dealers install accessories that change the vehicle gross weight beyond the specified range, they must apply the Load Carrying Capacity Reduced Label in the driver's doorjamb. The label must be applied within 25 mm (approximately 1 in.) of the existing tire and loading information label.
Fill in the total reduction in load carrying capacity (either in kg or in lbs.) with a permanent marker.
The customer should be notified that the vehicle's load carrying capacity has been reduced and should be shown the label indicating the amount of the reduction.
As indicated above, the additional label is only required if the increase in weight exceeds the lesser of 1.5 percent of GVWR or 100 pounds.
Examples of 2008MY Subaru vehicles and 1.5 percent of their GVWR (provided for purposes of illustration only) shown above.
Accessory Weight
Accessory weight information can be found in the RPM System (Subaru Retail Parts Management) on www.subarunet.com. Under Part Inquiry there is a tab for Attributes that will list the accessory weight in lbs.
It is the dealer's responsibility to confirm the actual GVWR from the vehicle certification label located on the driver's doorjamb and then calculate the accessory weight threshold. The dealer must also confirm the actual total weight of the accessories being installed (including the total weight of any port installed accessories already present on the vehicle) less any parts being removed during the installation. (One example would be when installing the accessory trailer hitch on a 2009 Forester; the rear bumper beam is removed and discarded.) This calculation will determine if the total weight added to the vehicle as a result of accessory installation exceeds the label requirement threshold.
Where can I purchase the labels?
Labels that say "Load Carrying Capacity Reduced" are commercially available. Shown above are two sources for the labels.