7 tips for packing your car effectively and safely

1. Secure loose items

To avoid dangerous flying objects during emergency stops, small items should be neatly stowed in boxes, and larger items secured with straps and cargo anchors. This will help ensure that objects in the luggage compartment do not hit passengers in an emergency.

2. Lower the center of gravity

Place the heaviest items in the trunk and place them flat on the floor. This lowers the center of gravity of the items, preventing them from tipping over or falling over if stacked high. It also reduces the risk of large loads making it difficult to control the vehicle.

Placing heavy objects at the back of the vehicle will help reduce the load on the front 2 wheels, avoiding affecting steering and braking.

3. Keep important items within easy reach

Make sure your roadside kit includes jumper cables, a cell phone, and drinking water in case you need them. Depending on the vehicle, the spare tire may be stored outside or inside the vehicle and may require unloading the vehicle to access it.

4. Keep your vision clear

Never load cargo so high that it touches the ceiling. Always keep your vision clear. When the rear view is obstructed, it becomes more difficult to drive and poses more risks when reversing. When you cannot see the scene behind, the risk of a collision when reversing is very high. In addition, the rear camera equipped on the car can also effectively support the driver when reversing.

5. Pay attention to the roof

Loading cargo on the roof of a vehicle is generally not recommended because it affects aerodynamics and raises the center of gravity of the vehicle, thus affecting fuel consumption and handling, even at low speeds. Furthermore, if something accidentally falls off while the vehicle is moving, it can be very dangerous for other vehicles.

However, properly installed roof racks with crossbars (available on some models) can also provide a relatively secure hold if traveling at safe speeds. As a more cautious approach, use a carefully installed roof carrier; avoid transporting heavy, bulky items.

6. Do the math

Even if an SUV has plenty of cargo space, you shouldn’t pack it all the way to the ceiling. The vehicle’s payload limit is the maximum weight of passengers and cargo the vehicle is designed to carry.

This figure is calculated by taking the gross vehicle weight (the maximum weight the vehicle is allowed to carry) and subtracting the weight of the vehicle when it is empty. In addition to the weight of the cargo, don't forget to include the weight of passengers and fuel in the load limit.

7. Don't take unnecessary risks

Finally, don’t take unnecessary risks by intentionally overloading your vehicle. If you feel like you might be carrying too much, find a way to reduce the load. Safety should always be your top priority.