Freeing A Stuck Vehicle - Dodge Caliber User Manual

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE

• If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved by a
rocking motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then move the shift lever back and forth between REVERSE and DRIVE.
Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without
spinning the wheels, is most effective.
NOTE: To improve the vehicle's traction when starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
it may be desirable to switch the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to "Partial Off" mode
by momentarily pressing the ESC Off
the Owner's Manual on the DVD.
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated by excessive wheel speeds
may cause tire damage or failure. A tire could explode and injure someone. Do not
spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) when you are stuck. Do not
let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
• When "rocking" a stuck vehicle by moving between 1st and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission
overheating and failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission shifting occurring).
switch. For further information on ESC, refer to
WARNING!
CAUTION!
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