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Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your Vehicle in good shape for winter. Be sure your engine
coolant mix
is correct.
0 You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your vehicle.
Include an ice scraper,
a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield
washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing,
a small shovel, a flashlight,
a red cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be
driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag of sand, a piece of old
carpet or
a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items
in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have
good traction.
However,
if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can
have a very slippery situation.
You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and
will need
to be very careful.
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Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety chains,
electrical connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your
vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the
trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets
you check your electrical connection at
the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and
that the lights and any trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help
you avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a trailer.
And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll need to
go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the
trailer to the left, just move that hand to the
left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to
the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible?
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this
so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have a different turn signal
flasher and extra wiring. The green arrows
on your instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lights will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your instrument panel will flash
for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally
to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
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Storing the Tire and Jack
Storing Tire and Jack -Underbody Carrier Mounted Spare Tire
8
7
1. Hoist Assembly
2. Ratchet
3. Wheel Wrench
4. Hoist Shaft
5. Valve Stem (Pointed Down)
6. Spare Tire
7. Retainer
8. Hoist Cable
Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle, with the valve stem
pointed down.
Pull the retainer through the wheel center. Attach the ratchet,\
with the
UP
side facing you, to the socket. Put the flat end of the socket into the hole in
the rear bumper.
Turn the ratchet until the tire is raised against the underside
of the vehicle.
YOU will hear two “clicks” when the tire is secure, but pull on the tire to
make sure.
Return the jack, ratchet, socket and jack extensions to their location behind
the passengers’ seat. Store the jack; and jacking tools
as shown in the
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illustrations earlier in this section. Secure the items and replace the jack
cover
if there is one.
Storing Tire and Jack -Pickup Bed Mounted Spare Tire
1. Spare Tire
2. Spare Wheel
3. Spare Wheel
Mounting Nut
Mounting Bolt
Put the tire in the bed of the vehicle and slide the spare wheel mounting bolt
through the bottom wheel nut hole. Be sure the valve stem fac\
es
out.
Then place the spare wheel mounting nut on the bolt and turn \
it to the right
until the tire is secure.
Return the jack, ratchet, socket and jack extensions
to their location behind
the passengers’ seat. Store the jack and jacking tools as shown in the
illustrations earlier in this section. Secure the items and rep\
lace the jack
cover
if there is one.
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your
wheels. The method known as “rocking” can help you get o\
ut when you’re
stuck, but
you must use caution.
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Wheel Nut Torque
For vehicle with dual wheels, wnen the vehicle, wheel or Tasteners are new,
have the torque set at
the first 100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles (1 60, 1600 and
9600 km). Use the torque specified
in the appropriate Specification Chart
later
in this section.
Single Belt Accessory Drive
If your new vehicle uses a serpentine belt, it is lighter and more durable than
systems with several belts.
The belt runs over or around the pulleys on the engine.
A tensioner may be
used
to keep the belt tight at all times. The tensioner also makes replacing
the belt easier.
If you need to replace the belt, be sure to get the correct
replacement belt. Your dealership or parts supplier can help you with this.
The Accessory Drive belt Routing label on your vehicle will show
you how
to route
the belt your vehicle uses.
Windshield Wiper Blade Inserts
To replace the
windshield wiper
blade insert, lift the
wiper arm and rotate
the blade until
it is
facing away from the
windshield.
Unlatch
the end of the insert from the holding clips. Remove the insert and
slide a new
one in place. Make sure the blade is secured in the clips.
Air Conditioning
Every now and then have your dealership check your air conditioning
system
to be sure it has not lost any cooling ability. If you think the system
is not working properly, have your dealership check it out as soon as
possible.
The air conditioning
will not work when the temperature is below 40°F
(4°C).
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A CAUTION:
In the case of a sudden stop or collision, things carried in the bed
of your truck could shift forward and come into the passenger
area, injuring you and others.
If you put things in the bed of
your truck, you should make sure they are properly secured.
A CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or the
maximum front and rear
GAWRs. If you do, parts on your
vehicle-can break, or it can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control. Also, overloading can
shorten the Iife
of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get added durability might not
change your weight ratings.
Ask your dealer to help you load your vehicle
the right
way.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or components that fail
because
of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle-like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else-they
go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or
turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
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NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with bearing life,
brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, headlight aim,
bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has dual wheels or LT26Y75R16 size tires, don’t
use tire chains; they can damage your vehicle.
If you don’t have
dual wheels or
if you have a tire size other than LT265/75R16,
use tire chains only where legal and only when you must. Use
only SAE Class “S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the tires of the rear axle. Tighten them as
tightly
as possible with the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly
and follow the chain manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too
fast with chains on will damage your vehicle.
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