The Traction Control System (TCS) improves yourability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road.Even though you have TCS, slow down and adjust yourdriving to the road conditions. Under certain conditions,you might want to turn the TCS off, such as whendriving through deep snow and loose gravel, to helpmaintain vehicle motion at lower speeds. See TractionControl System (TCS) on page 4-6. Also seeStabiliTrak® System on page 4-8, If Your Vehicle isStuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-21, and“Winter Tires” under Tires on page 5-59.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves yourvehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on aslippery road. Even though you have ABS, beginstopping sooner than you would on dry pavement.See Antilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-4.• Allow greater following distance on any slippery road.• Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine untilyou hit a spot that is covered with ice. On anotherwise clear road, ice patches can appear inshaded areas where the sun cannot reach, such asaround clumps of trees, behind buildings, or underbridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve or anoverpass can remain icy when the surrounding roadsare clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of you,brake before you are on it. Try not to brake while youare actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steeringmaneuvers.If You Are Caught in a BlizzardIf you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in aserious situation. You should probably stay withyour vehicle unless you know for sure that you are nearhelp and you can hike through the snow. Here aresome things to do to summon help and keep yourselfand your passengers safe:• Turn on the hazard warning flashers.• Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police thatyou have been stopped by the snow.• Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.If you do not have blankets or extra clothing, makebody insulators from newspapers, burlap bags,rags, floor mats — anything you can wrap aroundyourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.4-19
