Blizzard weather driving, be careful!

Being stranded in unfamiliar places during snowy weather sometimes can be dangerous, especially when you are alone and there isn’t help nearby. Stay with your vehicle and apply the roadside Assistance Program if possible. Stay calm and try to get help, the most important one, keep yourself safe and keep away from dangers.
Here are some points to remember:
Turn on the hazard warning flashers
Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror
WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to get inside. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO), which cannot be seen or smelled and can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in the Snow:
Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to time to be sure snow does not collect there.
Open a window about 2 in (5 cm) on the side of the vehicle that is away from the wind to bring in fresh air. Fully open the air outlets on or under the instrument panel.
Adjust the climate control system to a setting that circulates the air inside the vehicle and set the fan speed to the highest setting.
To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as needed to warm the vehicle, and then shut the engine off and close the window most of the way to save heat. Repeat this until help arrives, but only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about the vehicle to keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, when you run the engine occasionally, push the accelerator pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than the idle speed. This keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal for help with the headlamps. Do this as little as possible to save fuel.
If the Vehicle is Stuck:
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s traction control system in your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual. If stuck too severely for the traction control system to free the vehicle, turn the traction control system off and use the rocking method.
WARNING
If the vehicle’s tires spin at high speed, they can explode, and you or others could be injured. The vehicle can also overheat, causing an engine compartment fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as little as possible and avoid going above 35 mph (56 km/h).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be towed out.


Posted

in

,

by

Tags: