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162 Starting and driving
Driving with a load
The handling characteristics are affected by
how the car is loaded.
• Place the heaviest load as far forward and
as low as possible in the trunk.
• Secure the load to the lashing eyes (see
page 118).
• Heavy loads mean that the car’s center of
gravity is further back. As a result, the car
will sway more during evasive steering.
• Never exceed the permissible load of the
roof box, even if there is room for more.
• Ensure that the tire pressure is correct –
slight overinflation is preferable to under-
inflation.
• The braking distance of a loaded car is
always greater. Keep your distance from
the vehicle in front.
• Do not exceed the car’s permissible
gross vehicle weight or axle load (see
page 236).
• Roof loads can negatively affect telecom-
munication.
Tires
Note: Low tire pressure also causes prema-
ture tire wear and increased fuel consump-
tion.
Tire pressure should match the current load
and speed of the car (see page 245).
The tire pressures given apply to cold tires,
that is tires that are the same temperature
as the outside air temperature.
The tire pressure increases approximately
4 psi/27 kPa as the tires become warm (e.g.
during highway driving). When the temper-
ature of the tires changes by 50°F (10°C),
the tire pressure will change 2 psi/13 kPa.
Never reduce the pressure of a hot tire. If the
tires are hot when you check them, only
increase the pressure, if necessary.
Underinflated tires wear more quickly than
slightly overinflated tires.
If a valve is leaking, simply unscrew it and fit
a new one.
Note: Remember to adjust the tire pres-
sures if you change the load in the car sig-
nificantly or intend to drive at substantially
lower or higher speeds than normal.
Automatic tire pressure monitoring, see
page 207.
WARNING
Check the tire pressure at least once a
month and before long journeys. Under-
inflation can result in:
• punctures
• separation of the tire and tread
• damage to the sidewalls
• damage to the rims on poor roads
• poor handling characteristics
• premature tire wear
• increased fuel consumption.