Tire Chains{CAUTION:Do not use tire chains. There is not enoughclearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle withoutthe proper amount of clearance can causedamage to the brakes, suspension or othervehicle parts. The area damaged by the tirechains could cause you to lose control of yourvehicle and you or others may be injured in acrash. Use another type of traction device onlyif its manufacturer recommends it for use onyour vehicle and tire size combination and roadconditions. Follow that manufacturer’sinstructions. To help avoid damage to yourvehicle, drive slowly, re-adjust or remove thedevice if it is contacting your vehicle, and donot spin your wheels. If you do find tractiondevices that will fit, install them on therear tires.If a Tire Goes FlatIt’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you’re driving,especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goesout of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a fewtips about what to expect and what to do:If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag thatpulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off theaccelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake toa stop well out of the traffic lane.A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like askid and may require the same correction you’d usein a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from theaccelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control bysteering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may bevery bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gentlybrake to a stop, well off the road if possible.5-78
