You can run the engine to keep warm, but be
careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO
(carbon monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill you. You
cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away
snow from around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is blocking
your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow
does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of
the vehicle that is away from the wind.
This will help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must.
This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it
go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat
that you get and it keeps the battery charged.
356
You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with your
headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is 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 do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s 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
re or other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible. Do not
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transmission back and forth, you can
destroy the transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 465.
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Tires......................................................... 499
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 499
Finish Damage.......................................... 499
Underbody Maintenance............................ 500
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 500
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 501
Vehicle Identi cation.................................. 502
Vehicle Identi cation Number (VIN)........... 502
Service Parts Identi cation Label............... 502Electrical System........................................ 503
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 503
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 503
Power Windows and Other Power
Options.................................................. 503
Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 504
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..................... 504
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block......... 506
Underhood Fuse Block.............................. 507
Capacities and Speci cations.................... 512
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
391