If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud; Ice Or Snow - Pontiac 1997 Grand Am Owner's Manual

If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
What you don't want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
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.
A
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they 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.
I
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see "Tire Chains" in the Index.
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 the Enhanced Traction System, you should turn the
system off. (See "Enhanced Traction System" in the
Index.) Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear (or with a manual
transaxle, between FIRST (1) or SECOND ( 2 ) and
REVERSE (R)), 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. If 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" in
the Index.
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