Run your engine only as long as you must. This savesfuel. When you run the engine, make it go a littlefaster than just idle. That is, push the acceleratorslightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get andit keeps the battery charged. You will need awell-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possiblyfor signaling later on with the headlamps. Let theheater run for a while.Then, shut the engine off and close the window almostall the way to preserve the heat. Start the engineagain and repeat this only when you feel reallyuncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little aspossible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To helpkeep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and dosome fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so untilhelp comes.If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,Mud, Ice, or SnowSlowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free yourvehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-22.If your vehicle has a traction system, it can often help tofree a stuck vehicle. Refer to your vehicle’s tractionsystem in the Index. If the stuck condition is too severefor the traction system to free the vehicle, turn thetraction system off and use the rocking method.{CAUTION:If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at highspeed, they can explode, and you or otherscould be injured. The vehicle can overheat,causing an engine compartment fire or otherdamage. Spin the wheels as little as possibleand avoid going above 35 mph (55 km/h) asshown on the speedometer.For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,see Tire Chains on page 5-83.4-21
