If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice Or Snow - Buick 2003 Rendezvous Owner's Manual

If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin your
wheels too fast. The method known as "rocking" can
help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
I -
If you let you1 -res spin at
. . . ~ . .
speed, i - - . ~ y
can explode, and you or others could be
injured. And, the transaxle or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment fire or other damage.
When you're stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Don't spin the wheels above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
Notice: Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle back
and forth, you can destroy your transaxle. See
"Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out."
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see Tire Chains on page 5-64.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn your traction
control system off. See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-1 1. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. It
that doesn't get you out after a few tries, you may
need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out,
see "Towing Your Vehicle" following.
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