Run the engine for short periods only as needed tokeep warm, but be careful.To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods asneeded to warm the vehicle and then shut the engineoff and close the window most of the way to save heat.Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feelreally uncomfortable from the cold. Moving aboutto keep warm also helps.If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and thenwhen you run the engine, push the acceleratorpedal slightly so the engine runs faster than the idlespeed. This keeps the battery charged to restartthe vehicle and to signal for help with the headlamps.Do this as little as possible to save fuel.If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,Mud, Ice, or SnowSlowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free thevehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 5-29.If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help tofree a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s tractionsystem in the Index. If stuck too severely for the tractionsystem to free the vehicle, turn the traction system offand use the rocking method.{ CAUTION:If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high speed,they can explode, and you or others could beinjured. The vehicle can overheat, causing anengine compartment fire or other damage. Spinthe wheels as little as possible and avoid goingabove 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on thespeedometer.For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,see Tire Chains on page 6-75.Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It OutTurn the steering wheel left and right to clear thearea around the front wheels. Turn off any traction orstability system. Shift back and forth betweenR (Reverse) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels aslittle as possible. To prevent transmission wear, waituntil the wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.Release the accelerator pedal while shifting, and presslightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmissionis in gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in the forward andreverse directions causes a rocking motion that couldfree the vehicle. If that does not get the vehicle out after5-29
