Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a serious situation. Stay with the vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use the Roadside Service (U.S. and Canada) or Roadside Service (Mexico). To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
- 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.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is 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 5 cm (2 in) 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. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see Engine Exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods only as needed to keep warm, but be careful.
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 to keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then when you run the engine, 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.
See also:
Infants and Young Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs
protection! This includes infants and
all other children. Neither the
distance traveled nor the age and
size of the traveler changes the
need, for everyone, to us ...
Services Not Included in
Roadside Service
- Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
- Legal fines.
- Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
- Towing or services for vehicles
dri ...
Infotainment
Read the following pages to
become familiar with the audio
system's features.
WARNING!
Taking your eyes off the road for
extended periods could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death
t ...