If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will need
to spin the wheels, but you don’t want to spin your wheels
too fast. The method known as“rocking”can help you get
out when you’re stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they
can explode, and you or others could be
injured. And, the transmission or other parts of
the vehicle can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment fire or other damage.
When you’re stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Don’t spin the wheels above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transmission
back and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 5-66.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI. Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear (or with a manual transmission, between FIRST (1)
or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the
wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. By slowly
spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that doesn’t get you out after a few
tries, you may need to be towed out. Or, you can use
your recovery hooks if your vehicle has them. If you do
need to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-42.
4-40
2003 - Sonoma OM
Stalling on an Incline.......................................4-24
Starter Switch Check.......................................6-28
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-22
Shifting Into................................................2-22
Starting Your VORTEC™2200 L4 Engine............ 6-4
Starting Your VORTEC™4300 V6 Engine..........2-23
Steering.......................................................... 4-8
Steering in Emergencies.................................... 4-9
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection.......................6-31
Steering Tips................................................... 4-8
Storage
Garment Hooks...........................................2-50
Storage Areas
Front Storage Area......................................2-49
Glove Box..................................................2-41
Luggage Carrier..........................................2-50
Overhead Console.......................................2-42
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...............5-76
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-40
Sun Visors.....................................................2-16
Sunglasses Storage Compartment.....................2-46
Sunroof.........................................................2-52
Swing-Out Windows........................................2-16
T
Tachometer....................................................3-23
Tailgate.........................................................2-12Tailgate Lubrication Service..............................6-27
Taillamps.......................................................5-55
Temperature and Compass Display....................2-44
Testing the Alarm............................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-67
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-17
Content Theft-Deterrent
................................2-17
Passlock
®...................................................2-19
Third Door
.....................................................2-12
Throttle System Inspection
...............................6-32
Tilt Wheel
........................................................ 3-4
Time Delay
....................................................2-39
Tire Inflation Check
.........................................6-26
Tires
.....................................................5-58, 5-84
Buying New Tires
........................................5-62
Chains
.......................................................5-66
Changing a Flat Tire
....................................5-68
Compact Spare Tire
.....................................5-78
If a Tire Goes Flat
.......................................5-67
Inflation–Tire Pressure
...............................5-58
Inspection and Rotation
................................5-60
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
.........................5-63
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
.................5-64
Wheel Replacement
.....................................5-65
When It Is Time for New Tires
......................5-61
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
....................2-24
Top of the Instrument Panel
.............................5-81
Top Strap
......................................................1-41
14
2003 - Sonoma OM
