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 Assistance Program (U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑8 or Roadside Assistance Program (Mexico) on page 13‑10. 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 on page 9‑22.

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:

    Lap-Shoulder Belt
    If the vehicle is a regular cab, then all seating positions in the vehicle have a lap-shoulder belt. If the vehicle is a crew or extended cab, then all seating positions in the vehicle have a lap-shou ...

    Tow/Haul Mode
    Pressing this button at the end of the shift lever turns on and off the Tow/Haul Mode. This indicator light on the instrument panel cluster comes on when the Tow/Haul Mode is on. Tow/Haul is a f ...

    Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive Low
    When Four-Wheel Drive Low is engaged, vehicle speed should be kept below 72 km/h (45 mph). Extended high-speed operation in Four-Wheel Drive Low may damage or shorten the life of the drivetrain. To ...